Dr. Katrin Merkel Discusses Current Industrial Sector Challenges and Training with the Koehler Group
Dr. Katrin Merkel (CDU), Member of the Baden-Württemberg Landtag (state legislative assembly), recently visited the Koehler Group for a chat at the company’s Willstätt site. The discussion revolved around the importance of apprenticeships and other training for the company’s future, as well as for the continued viability of the German state of Baden-Württemberg as an industrial powerhouse. In addition, the parties talked about current political and business conditions, including the REACH Regulation, challenges involved in logistics, the PPWR European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, and the need for competitive industrial electricity rates. Dr. Merkel, the directly elected representative for the electoral district of Kehl, was accompanied by Tobias Fahrner (CDU), the Deputy Mayor of Willstätt.
A Solid Workforce Starts with Solid Training
The Koehler Group has always attached tremendous importance to apprenticeships and professional development and is known for making intelligent investments in recruitment and training for young talent. Accordingly, the conversation with Dr. Katrin Merkel served as an opportunity to go over the needs of present-day vocational training and the importance of qualified skilled workers when it comes to the industrial sector’s competitiveness.
Stable Conditions for a Competitive Industrial Sector
In addition to the topic of recruitment and training for young talent, current regulatory and economic matters were also on the agenda. The corresponding conversation touched on a number of issues, including the European REACH Regulation, current challenges in global supply and logistics chains, the requirements stemming from the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and the importance of competitive industrial electricity rates for Germany as a manufacturing hub.
The visit underscored the importance of a continuous dialogue between the political sphere and the industrial sector. Both parties agreed that the only way for Baden-Württemberg to remain a competitive industrial hub in the long term is with qualified skilled workers, stable and dependable conditions, and close cooperation between governments and businesses.