Industry across all sectors is complaining about poorly filled order books and the mood is miserable. There is a threat of trouble from the USA. And in Germany it remains a political deadlock for the time being. Now perseverance is required. And entrepreneurship. In spite of everything.
“It can never get worse,” said DIHK Managing Director Dr. Martin Wansleben attested at the end of October – he meant the current economic situation in Germany, the traffic light government’s poor communication and unclear prospects for companies. Just a few days later, the Hauenstein entrepreneur and HDSL chairman Carl-August Seibel vented his anger: The general conditions in Germany, he said in an interview with schuhkurier, are not easy. The federal government’s political zigzag course annoys him. And then there is the increasing bureaucracy and complex legislative proposals such as the European Supply Chain Directive and the Deforestation Ordinance – all of which simply leads to excessive demands on many companies. In addition – see above – there is a lack of orders across all industries.
In the meantime, some general conditions have changed significantly. A president has been elected in the USA who is likely to consistently pursue his ‘Make America Great Again’ agenda in the coming years – with significant implications for German companies too. It is still unclear what exactly will happen to shoe manufacturers, explains the industry association HDSL in response to a schuhcourier request. But they have to fear painful import tariffs.
One day after the US election, the traffic light government collapsed with the result that a deadlock will now follow when it comes to legislative proposals (and the urgently needed relief for companies) and the taking of office of a new government. None of this looks or feels good. Many uncertainties will remain. For Carl-August Seibel, there is no doubt that now – once again – the hour has come for entrepreneurs. “This is a beautiful country,” says the company boss. “We can’t all run away, the entrepreneurs have to pull the cart out of the mud now.” That’s definitely the right attitude.