Women are increasingly founding companies

In the Dortmund Chamber of Commerce district, there is a new record number of start-ups by women.

This article is part of the special topic women in crafts

Significant growth in the number of companies: The number of member companies of the Dortmund Chamber of Skilled Crafts has risen to 20.114. Compared to 2020, 272 companies, or 1,4 percent, were registered in the directories at the turn of the year. What is particularly encouraging is that this development is also reflected in the number of new business start-ups. With a total of 1.624 start-ups, there were a good 100 more than in 2020. 1.477 new businesses were founded, and 147 were acquired. 36,3 percent of these were run by women – thus once again surpassing the previous year's record of 35,4 percent. Women most frequently founded businesses in the hairdressing trade (74), followed by building cleaners (72) and photographers (68).

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the number of business closures for economic reasons has remained low. With 90 closures, the figure is unchanged compared to the previous year – a low in the last ten years. In 2013, for example, 285 businesses had to close due to financial difficulties. Chamber President Berthold Schröder: "We are very pleased with the growth in the number of businesses, considering the severe restrictions on the economy last year. The figures show that, even in times of pandemic, the skilled trades remain an attractive, crisis-resistant economic sector in which people are keen to start businesses. I am particularly pleased that more and more women are becoming self-employed in the skilled trades. This is a positive development that will hopefully continue."

Trades not requiring a license (Annex B1) The trades without licensing requirements (Appendix B1) saw particularly significant growth, with an increase of 391 companies, or 10,4 percent, to a total of 4.155. The top 5 in this group:

1. Beauticians: +164 businesses / +15,3 percent to a total of 1.233
2. Building cleaners: +134 businesses / +13,7 percent to a total of 1.113
3. Photographers: + 79 businesses / +12,1 percent to a total of 733
4. Electrical engineers: + 20 companies / + 1,8 percent to a total of 1.120
5. KHeating plant engineers: + 7 companies / + 8,4 percent to a total of 90

Craft-like trades (Annex B2) Craft-like businesses (Appendix B2) saw a slight year-on-year increase of 47 percent or +1,9 percent. The strong demand for construction services led to increases, particularly in the construction and finishing trades (a total of 85 businesses / +11 percent), for example, among floor fitters (+31 businesses / +7,1 percent), iron weavers (+12 businesses / +16 percent), and cable installers in building construction (+19 businesses / +19,6 percent).

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Crafts requiring licensing (Annex A) However, there were declines in Annex A, i.e., in the trades requiring a license. There were 166 businesses, or 1,2 percent, fewer at the turn of the year (a total of 13.433 businesses). Tile, slab, and mosaic fitters (-129 businesses / -8,5 percent), interior decorators (-29 businesses / -5,8 percent), and screed fitters (-24 businesses / -20,7 percent) suffered losses. However, increases were recorded for hairdressers (+29 businesses / +1,5 percent), electrical engineers (+21 businesses / +1,9 percent), and sign and illuminated advertising manufacturers (+16 businesses / +20,8 percent).

Regional developments in the company portfolio From a regional perspective, the number of companies in the Chamber district has developed above average in the Unna district (+90 companies / 3 percent to a total of 3.018), in the Ennepe-Ruhr district (+68 companies / 2,2 percent to a total of 3.001) and in the Soest district (+57 companies / 2,2 percent to a total of 2.680).

In the greater Dortmund area (+44 companies / +1,0 percent), Bochum (+16 companies / +0,5 percent), and Hagen (+11 companies / +0,7 percent), the development was also positive, but slightly below average.

There were declines in Hamm (-7 businesses / -0,5 percent to 1.277) and Herne (-2 businesses / -0,2 percent to 1.237).

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Further news from the district of the Dortmund Chamber of Crafts