These “worries and needs” became clear during the company tours at GEORG SCHLEGEL GmbH & Co KG in Dürmentingen and Erlebniswelt Backdorf Häussler, as well as in the subsequent discussion with Dr. Brigitte Zürn from Dr. Horn Unternehmensberatung in Ulm, Henrike Weihs as the owner of “Lieblingseis Eismanufaktur” with locations in Biberach and Ulm and Jan Leis, sole managing director of JL Beteiligungsholding in Ulm.
A constant stream of new regulations, increasing documentation requirements and escalating regulations were the main topics of the visit to SCHLEGEL, where the Minister was welcomed by Managing Directors Christoph Schlegel, Eberhard Schlegel and Wolfgang Weber. During the discussion, which was also attended by managers from the specialist for pushbuttons and switches, specific examples of excessive documentation requirements and the financial consequences of the increase in rules and regulations were named. The topics ranged from EU requirements and approval procedures for construction projects to complex approval requirements.
“We need a change in mentality,” said the Minister - away from a fully comprehensive insurance mentality and towards more personal responsibility. She reported on the first political decisions that will bring more relief and simplification. As a symbolic farewell gift, she received an emergency-stop switch from SCHLEGEL with the inscription “Stop bureaucracy” - as a little tongue-in-cheek reminder, according to Managing Director and IHK Vice President Christoph Schlegel.
Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut emphasised after the exchange in both companies: “Today's visit has shown me once again: SMEs are an attitude. For As different as the business areas of GEORG SCHLEGEL GmbH & Co KG and Karl-Heinz Häußler GmbH are, the spirit, the SME entrepreneurial spirit that is lived in the companies, is very similar. Loyalty to the location, innovative strength, responsibility for training and long-term thinking make SMEs the backbone of our economy. We must maintain and strengthen this - despite all adversity.” The state government is leading the way here, but Germany as a whole needs an economic policy decision for more growth and employment. “I am confident that the new federal government will provide important impetus here,” she continued.
“In view of today's discussion, the five central demands that apply to all company sizes are for more speed in infrastructure expansion and upgrading, affordable and secure energy, tax relief and the creation of investment incentives, the creation of work incentives, but in particular less bureaucracy and more freedom, especially for small and medium-sized companies,” summarises Dr. Jan Stefan Roell. “I am also pleased that we were able to put forward very specific demands. These relate to the simplification of tax legislation and the associated administrative procedures.”
