sexta-feira, 6 de setembro de 2013

Germany: An economic engine of good health?

No other European country seems to have mastered the financial crisis as well as Germany. While the Western world was grappling with the crisis, the emerging economies have invested large amounts and Germany benefited with this demand of capital.

When we look for the reasons for Germany's economic strength, we believe in big names in the industry like Bayer, Thyssen-Krupp, Porsche or Siemens. Come to the idea how regions and cities the Rur, Hamburg, Frankfurt or Stuttgart. But elsewhere we found the answer.

Fulda is a city in Central Germany, 100 kilometres from Frankfurt, in the State of Hesse.

No other German region is so far away from the country's borders. Fulda is far from being an economic centre but, as in all small towns, also here we find champions.

There are small and medium-sized enterprises which are leaders of the sectors in which they operate. Is the case with Hubtex, which manufactures loaders and has roots in the textile industry. The company has benefited from structural changes: "we followed the trend by saying that our equipment can be modified so that it can be used in other industries. Therefore, we developed the loaders steel, capable of transporting large steel tubes or large wooden boards, for the timber industry, "explains Ralf Jestädt, Director of the company.

Even if the textile industry left much to Germany and is no longer a client, Hubtex prospered. With 480 employees, the company generated last year a turnover of 92 million euros.

65% of what produces goes to export. The company does not see itself as a direct competitor of the main manufacturers of this type of machines, with the Japanese Toyota to the head, but as a manufacturer of products for the customer, in small numbers, serving all industries sectors.

Martin Grömling, the Cologne Economic Research Institute, believes that companies like this make up the backbone of the German economy: "When a company has success in a remote region, that makes the company a symbol of the region. The professionals see these companies as good employers. That is why, many times, companies deployed in remote regions have an advantage over the other, when it comes to attracting qualified cadres of these same regions "

Highly qualified workers are part of Germany's economic success.

Frank Geiling gives practical training to students of a master's in engineering: "once upon a time, it was us who chose who we were training. Today, they are the ones who choose where they want to work. That's why we give a lot of training, to be competitive, attract trainees and that we can have great professionals in our company, "he says.

This system benefits both sides, both the company and the employees. Consists in combining theoretical education in colleges with the practical training in companies. Is seen as a key factor for the success of Germany in terms of international competitiveness.

The Hubtex goes further, to give time off to employees so that they can study at the University.

Michael Schanz studied mechanical engineering at the University of applied sciences Gießen: "there are some aspects that we meet at the University, but didn't we learn what we can apply them later. Here is where we tested this knowledge and we know the practical application of what we learned ".

A dedicated and qualified workforce, combined with research and innovation are some of the factors for the success of the country's economy.

But transportation is also important. After 50 years of design, the highway between Fulda and Frankfurt will finally open next year.

The highways and bridges begin to be degraded. For the experts, the recovery will cost seven billion euros.

For many economists, the expense of the State is going to where it didn't belong, instead of solving this problem: "politicians have not had the courage to look at social spending and for the money that was diverted from investment to consumption. There is a decline in capital investment. In the years 90 it was necessary to rebuild Eastern Germany, with high costs. It's been on par with cuts in investment in West Germany ", says Michael Grömling.

Complete the A66 motorway South of Fulda is one of the largest ongoing infrastructure projects, valued at $ 214 million. To build the tunnel, it was necessary to move the railroad tracks and a Creek, which will then be diverted back to the original course.

It is also necessary to extend the railroad to four lanes, but the money is not enough.

Part of Germany's success is due to the fact that economic activities are scattered around the country, not concentrated in the major urban centres, as happens in many other countries.

Fulda has one of the lowest unemployment rates in all of Germany.

This local company had to pay a high price for change of nuclear energy to solar energy. The profits are down quite a bit, because the municipalities Germans don't have enough money.

For the works in the main square, the Chamber has partnered with two private Dutch company that runs the underground Park and with the Karstadt warehouses.

The Karstadt, one of the great names of Germany's economic history, are in financial difficulties, under bankruptcy protection since 2009. Warehouses occupy, here, a building designed by one of the greatest post-war German architects. Here see many aspects of German economy and makes sense to the saying: appearances can be deceiving.

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