Women are increasingly founding businesses in the Münster Chamber of Commerce district. This is a very encouraging development. (Photo: © wavebreakmediamicro/123rf.com)
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February 25, 2022
In the Dortmund Chamber of Commerce district, there is a new record number of start-ups by women.
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): Trades not requiring a license (Annex B1) have seen particularly significant growth. This group saw an increase of 391 companies, or 10,4 percent, bringing the total to 4.155. The top 5 in this group are:
Craft-like businesses (Annex B2): Among craft-like businesses (Annex B2), there was a slight increase of 47 / +1,9 percent within a year. The high demand for construction services led to increases, especially in the construction and finishing trades (a total of +85 businesses / 11 percent), for example, among floor layers (+31 businesses / +7,1 percent), steel fixers (+12 businesses / +16 percent), and cable layers in building construction (+19 businesses / +19,6 percent).
The Chambers of Skilled Crafts in Germany - HWK of Saarland
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The Chambers of Skilled Crafts in Germany - HWK of Saarland
Trades requiring a license (Annex A): In contrast, there were declines in Annex A, i.e., among trades requiring a license. At the turn of the year, there were 166 fewer businesses, or 1,2 percent less (a total of 13.433 companies). Tile, slab, and mosaic layers (-129 businesses / -8,5 percent), interior decorators (-29 businesses / -5,8 percent), and screed layers (-24 businesses / -20,7 percent) suffered the most significant losses. However, increases were recorded for hairdressers (+29 businesses / +1,5 percent), electrical engineers (+21 businesses / +1,9 percent), and sign and neon sign manufacturers (+16 businesses / +20,8 percent).
Regional developments in the number of businesses: Regionally speaking, the number of businesses in the chamber district has developed exceptionally well in the Unna district (+90 businesses / 3 percent to a total of 3.018), in the Ennepe-Ruhr district (+68 businesses / 2,2 percent to a total of 3.001) and in the Soest district (+57 businesses / 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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