Autumn 2014 - Deutsch

INITIATIVE
ISSUE 3 • AUTUMN 2014
THE MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF THE GERMAN-BRITISH CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY & COMMERCE
INITIATIVE
THE MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF THE GERMAN-BRITISH CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY & COMMERCE
Being part of a
larger entity makes
doing business so
much easier
Scotland has decided to stay in the United
Kingdom and this has been welcomed by
the German business community in the UK
– being part of a larger entity makes doing
business so much easier. The same is true for the UK and her place in the
European Union, but whether the result of a potential referendum in 2017
will be as clear-cut as the one in Scotland remains to be seen. The next
two to three years will be crucial in convincing the British public that the
benefits of membership of the European Union far outweigh the costs.
Although the UK’s economy is performing well at the moment, one
must not forget that this development is mainly due to being integrated
in a global economic system. Current negotiations with regard to the
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership show that if Europe speaks
with one voice, more can be achieved on a global level. Nevertheless, the
European Union needs to reform itself. This is an ongoing necessity as all
countries are in constant need to adapt to a changing global economic
environment. A long-overdue reform of the Common Agricultural Policy
is one example and developing a fairer tax system is another: citizens feel
increasingly disenchanted with certain multinationals reducing their tax
burden through complex structures that do not reflect reality.
The European Union is about more than just economic cooperation –
it also represents a set of shared values. If we look at the current global
political challenges, a fragmentation of institutions which represent these
values will not only have political, but also economic consequences since
both spheres have become increasingly intertwined.
The European Union faces many future challenges, but if all countries
work together constructively to keep special interest in check and
introduce more market-driven policies, higher wealth can be created for
all its citizens. This in turn will also make addressing the pressing global
economic and political challenges more manageable.
Dr Ulrich Hoppe
Director General, German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce
CONTENTS
4 VIEW FROM THE TOP – SUSAN SPELLER, HM BRITISH
CONSUL-GENERAL IN DÜSSELDORF
5 INITIATIVE TALKS TO – PETER DIXON, GLOBAL FINANCIAL
ECONOMIST AT COMMERZBANK, LONDON
6 MEMBERS' NEWS
7 NEW COUNCILLORS/CHAMBER CONTACTS
8 EVENTS DIARY
10 EVENTS CALENDAR
11 LEGAL COMMENT – EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS
12 BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
14 BRITAIN INVESTS – SURVEY RESULTS
15 BRITAIN INVESTS/BUSINESS NEWS
Cover photo: The Brandenburg Gate at sunset. ©sborisov
❚ CONTENTS 3
sustaining members
Photo: Roberto Pfeil
4 VIEW FROM THE TOP ❚
The British
Consulate-General
in Düsseldorf now
serves UK trade
and investment
from new offices
On 1 October 2014, our new British
Consulate-General office in Düsseldorf
was officially opened by the UK
Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord
Livingston of Parkhead and the Deputy
Premier of the State of North RhineWestphalia (NRW), Sylvia Loehrmann.
The unveiling of the plaque was a symbolic
moment. Not only did it mark the end of a
two-year relocation process, it also made
a strong statement about the value and
importance the UK places on its relationship
with NRW and Germany as a whole.
Lord Livingston said at the opening: "The
UK regards Germany as one of our most
important partners in the world: in trade,
foreign policy and in Europe."
The historical ties between the UK and NRW
are very close with a unique bond, which
dates back to the founding of NRW in 1946.
The UK and NRW do a lot of business
together: 30% of UK exports to Germany are
to NRW. Major NRW-based companies such
as RWE, E.ON, Thyssen Krupp and Aldi are
Lord Livingston, UK Minister for Trade and Investment, and Sylvia Loehrmann, Deputy Premier of NRW,
unveil the plaque
represented and have significant investments
in the UK.
The British Ambassador to Germany, Sir Simon
McDonald, told guests at the opening reception
how much British companies "respected the
excellence of industry and businesses, the
purchasing power, the central location, the firstclass infrastructure and the international trade
fairs in NRW."
It is important to stress, however, that the remit
of the Consulate-General in Düsseldorf is to
look after British interests in Hesse, RhinelandPalatinate and Saarland, as well as in NRW.
With the outsourcing of the visa operation in
Germany to the company Teleperformance,
and the centralisation of the passport service in
Liverpool, the 25 staff at the Consulate-General
focus on UK trade and investment (UKTI)
consular and corporate services.
Photo: Roberto Pfeil
Priority sectors for the UKTI team in Düsseldorf
are energy, engineering and infrastructure, life
sciences, medical equipment, food and drink
and consumer goods.
LONG TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
This year sees the 300th anniversary of the
personal union of the crowns of Hanover
and Great Britain. But the trading relationship
between our two countries goes back even
further. We share a long tradition of excellence
in engineering and innovation.
British Consul-General Susan Speller
addresses guests at the evening reception
of the opening event
When George I acceded to the throne in 1714,
Henry Mill was registering the patent for the first
typewriter in Britain; whilst in Germany, Daniel
Fahrenheit invented the mercury thermometer.
When William IV ended his reign 123 years
later, George Stephenson's steam train was
revolutionising international infrastructure;
while Joseph von Frauenhofer's optical
instruments had revolutionised our
understanding of light.
ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING
Engineering and manufacturing are at the
heart of the UK government's efforts to
rebalance the British economy by creating
strong and sustainable growth across the
country, and across various industries.
The biggest driver of growth in the UK is
currently manufacturing. Manufacturing
output rose by 3.8% in the twelve months
to February 2014.
We already have first-class manufacturing in
sectors such as aerospace, pharmaceuticals
and defence. But we want to improve in
other sectors too, increasing our capability
in new technologies: bio-science, space and
renewable energy.
The British Consulate-General team, newly
installed in their ninth-floor open-plan office
in the central business district in Düsseldorf,
and working closely with their colleagues
at the Embassy in Berlin and the Consulate
in Munich, have an important role to play
in developing and increasing business in all
sectors. The strength of the UK's trade and
economic partnership with Germany is
crucial to our success.
Susan Speller
HM British Consul-General
in Düsseldorf
❚ INITIATIVE TALKS TO 5
Looking to the
future
initiative talks to Peter Dixon, Global Financial
Economist at Commerzbank, London
They say that forecasting is an uncertain business, particularly when it concerns the future.
However, it is an essential input into the business planning process and whilst we cannot
always predict future events with any degree of accuracy, in the absence of any form of
major economic shock we can have a reasonable guess as to likely trends.
initiative: What trends are you working on?
Eurozone, particularly since the ECB has to set
its monetary conditions to accommodate those
Peter Dixon: Our main focus is the outlook
economies which are far weaker than Germany’s.
for the European economy, but particularly
Germany and the UK, which represent two
of its stronger components. Turning first to
the UK, the economy this year looks set to
be the fastest-growing in the G7 partly due
to the fact that the uncertainty shock in the
wake of the Eurozone crisis appears to have
abated. Since early 2013, UK growth has
been running at a pace which is above the
economy’s ability to sustain in the long run,
so some moderation is likely in the months
ahead. Nonetheless, the pace of expansion is
likely to remain robust, which is good news for
Germany since the UK represents Germany’s
third-largest merchandise export market.
This in turn implies that the pound can be expected
initiative: How has the German economy
❚ INITIATIVE TALKS TO
Peter Dixon, Global Financial Economist
at Commerzbank, London
Both Aldi and Lidl have been well placed to tap
into the new-found British desire for low-cost,
no-frills retailing and have raised their market
share at the expense of some of the bigger
domestic players. Latest figures suggest that
the two companies together account for an
8% share of UK sales – well down on the likes
of Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda – but almost
double their pre-recession share.
to consolidate recent gains against the euro, which
may not be great news for UK exporters, but we
initiative: What else will be different after the
should not expect any complaints from their
recession?
German counterparts.
PD: Although forecasts often seem to exist
initiative: So is there still something special about
‘made in Germany’?
PD: Indeed, the ‘made in Germany’ label
retains considerable cachet in the UK market.
Germany’s expertise in cars is well known and
four of the top 10 bestsellers in the UK so far
this year are German. But whilst the position of
German car makers is unlikely to change any time
soon, German retailers have quietly been making
progress in the UK.
only to prove the fallibility of the forecaster, one
projection which should be taken seriously is
that the recession will have changed the shape
of the economy, so those companies which are
best placed to tap into these changes will be
the ones which perform most strongly.
German consumers have long known the
value of thrift; it appears that UK consumers
are following in their footsteps and German
companies may well reap some of the benefits.
been affected?
PD: The German economy has also been
relatively robust over the past year or so,
although it has stumbled a little of late. To the
extent that the weakness of GDP in the second
quarter was a response to the outsize strength in
the first three months, we expect the economy
projected GDP growth rate of around 1.5%
expected in 2015. However, this is slower than
the 2.5% rate anticipated for the UK next year.
initiative: What effect will these growth
rates have?
PD: All this probably means that UK interest
rates will begin to rise far sooner than in the
Photo Credit: 1000 Words/Shutterstock.com
to get back on a modest growth path, with a
6 MEMBERS' NEWS ❚
EICC says a fond farewell to Hans Rissmann, OBE
Hans Rissmann, OBE,
Chief Executive of
the Edinburgh
International
Conference Centre
(EICC) retired at the
end of October 2014.
Hans Rissmann, OBE
Mr Rissmann led the
business for 21 years
and, under his
leadership, it
achieved global
player status in the
conferences and
exhibitions marketplace through strategic investment and
commitment to exceeding the expectations of customers. He
has been succeeded by Marshall Dallas.
The Chamber
would also like
to thank Mr
Rissmann for his
dedication and
commitment for
his ongoing
leadership as
the President
of the Scotland
Committee.
Protocol to amend the Germany-UK
double tax treaty
Apple Store design scores
trademark win
Germany and the UK recently signed a protocol to amend
how profits are attributed to a permanent establishment
(PE) in a contracting state of an entity situated in the other
contracting state. Currently, attribution is based on the business of
the PE. The protocol narrows the attribution down to functions
performed, assets used and risks assumed by the PE. The protocol
is not yet in force. www.wardwilliams.co.uk
In a ground-breaking ruling, the European Court of
Justice has affirmed that retail store layouts are
registrable as trademarks. The issue arose from a
trademark application filed by Apple in Germany
for the distinctive layout of its Apple stores. On a
reference from the Bundespatentgericht, the CJEU
affirmed that provided the layout can be represented graphically
and can distinguish one trader’s goods and services from others’,
there is no reason why it should not be registrable (Apple, Inc. v
Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt, Case C-421/13). The ruling
strengthens the ability of retailers to protect innovative shop
design against copycat competitors. For more information on
protection of trademark rights please contact Angela Fox
(pictured above) at: www.jenkins.eu
New premises
SCHUBERT + NASSE Rechtsanwälte are pleased to announce
the opening of their new offices on the banks of the Rhine at
Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer 120-122, Cologne. The move from
Oberländer Ufer 186, Marienburg means the law firm is now
850m closer to Cologne's famous cathedral. The move is a
result of the expansion of the firm’s banking and commercial
law departments at the start of 2014. www.schubert-law.com
Kostenloses Merkblatt zur
Rentenversicherung
Die Deutsch-Britische Industrie- und Handelskammer hat das
kostenlose Merkblatt zu den Neuerungen bei der britischen
Rentenversicherung auf den neuesten Stand gebracht, erweitert
und um eine praktische Checkliste für Arbeitgeber ergänzt.
Das acht Seiten umfassende Merkblatt ist erhältlich bei
[email protected]
Join the German-British Chamber's
group on LinkedIn
Looking for bilingual employees?
Then why not list your job vacancies on the German-British
Chamber’s Jobs Online service? This web-based database of job
opportunities for those speaking German and English receives
thousands of hits every month and is a simple way of finding new
employees. Members of the Chamber receive six free credits per
membership year to advertise vacancies (one credit = one
month). www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk
Métier UK DMC joins Chamber
London-based business event specialist,
conference and meetings organiser, Métier
UK DMC, has become a member of the
German-British Chamber. The company specialises in creating
unique and exclusive Great British experiences while providing
friendly customer service and value for money. Métier UK DMC
already serves the German market but hopes to expand its
German client base. www.metier-ukdmc.com/ or www.dr-patrickpatridge.homepage.t-online.de/133101.html (in German)
❚ NEW COUNCILLORS / CHAMBER CONTACTS 7
New Councillors
CHAMBER CONTACTS
Honorary Officers /
Präsidium und Vorstand
Patron / Schirmherr
HE Dr Peter Ammon
Ambassador of the Federal
Republic of Germany
President / Präsident
Sir Nigel Broomfield, KCMG
Vice-Presidents / Vizepräsidenten
Sir Michael Arthur, KCMG
Heiner Böhmer
Dr Alexander Moscho
General Manager of Helaba
(Landesbank Hessen &
Thuringia) London Branch
since March 2011. Prior to
joining Helaba, he had a long
career with WestLB, starting in
Düsseldorf in 1989 and followed
by various positions in Hong
Kong, Sydney and Shanghai.
In 2001 he became Executive
Director, Head of Finance at
WestLB, London Branch where
he held a number of positions,
the last being Global Head of
Business Management and
Development, Corporate and
Structured Finance. He is
an alumni of IMD Lausanne
Business School in Switzerland
as well as the London Business
School.
Senior Bayer Executive for UK/
Ireland, Managing Director
of Bayer plc and Head of
the Bayer HealthCare and
Pharma businesses in the UK.
Before coming to the UK, he
led Corporate Development
at Bayer AG in Germany for
over three years. Previously,
he established Bayer Business
Consulting as one of the leading
European in-house consulting
units. Before joining Bayer, he
was an Associate Principal and
Leadership Team Member of the
global Pharmaceuticals & Health
Care Practice at McKinsey &
Company, Inc. and held various
entrepreneurial positions in the
biotechnology/medical devices
and venture capital industries.
Robert A Bischof
SCCO International Ltd
George W von Mallinckrodt, KBE, KCSG
Schroders plc
Councillors / Vorstandsmitglieder
Chairman / Vorsitzender
Dr Klaus Peter Fouquet
Robert Bosch Ltd
Marguerite McCaughan
Manager Marketing & Communication /
Marketing & Kommunikation
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4183
Vice-Chairperson / Stellv. Vorsitzende
Patricia Godfrey
Nabarro
Jana Toon
Press & Public Relations /
Presse- & Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4188
Councillors / Vorstandsmitglieder
Heiner Böhmer
Helaba, London
Marcus Breitschwerdt
Daimler AG
Armin Brestrich
KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH, London
Jean-Louis Evans
TÜV Süd Product Service Ltd
Dr Stefan Georg
Delta Economics
Richard Hall
Schaeffler (UK) Ltd
Simon Jonsson
KPMG LLP
Jochen Müller
Country Manager UK within
MSB-I, based in London. In
this function he is responsible
for Commerzbank’s business
with corporate clients in
the UK. Prior to this role,
he was Head of M&A within
Commerzbank's Development
& Strategy department. Before
joining Commerzbank in 2011,
he worked in the investment
banking departments of UBS and
Lehman Brothers in Frankfurt
and London. He holds a degree
in Business Administration and
completed a bank apprenticeship
at Commerzbank in Cologne.
Kai Daniel
Finance & Organisation /
Finanzen und Organisation
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4187
Prof Barry Stickings, CBE
Franz W Smet
ACI Group Ltd
Dr Ulrich Hoppe
German-British Chamber of Industry
& Commerce
General Manager of BayernLB,
London Branch since April
2013. He joined BayernLB in
1999 where he was responsible
for utility customers in the
CEEMEA region before joining
the syndication team in 2001.
In 2002 he transferred to
BayernLB’s Tokyo Branch for
two years to head the local
risk office. After his return
in 2004, he rejoined the
syndication team covering
German corporates. In April
2008 he became Head of
Syndication and took over
global responsibility in 2009.
Finance & Organisation
Sabine Marland
Head of Finance & Organisation /
Leiterin Finanzen & Organisation
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4120
Marketing Services
Sven Riemann
Head of Marketing Services /
Leiter Marketing Services
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4185
Johannes Heinloth
BayernLB, London
Johannes Heinloth
Thesy Lobitzer
PA to Director General / Assistentin
des Hauptgeschäftsführers
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4112
Frank Kuhnke
Deutsche Bank AG, London
Dr Alexander Moscho
Bayer plc
Jochen Müller
Commerzbank AG, London
Members’ Services
Evelyn Mensah
Manager Membership & Events /
Mitgliedschaft & Veranstaltungen
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4145
Bettina Schopmeier
Membership & Events /
Mitgliedschaft & Veranstaltungen
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4146
Legal & Tax Services / Rechtsund Steuerabteilung
Angelika Baumgarte
Deputy Director General / stellv.
Hauptgeschäftsführerin
Head of Legal & Tax / Leiterin der
Rechts- und Steuerabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4140
Johanna Hess
Legal Services / Rechtsabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4141
Christina Clifton-Dey
Friederike Uebing
Payroll Services / Lohnbuchhaltung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4180
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4139
Clemens M Richter
CMR Controls Ltd
Katrin Albrecht
Head of Tax Services / Steuerabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4154
Carsten W Scheffel
Allianz Global
Corporate & Specialty
Gunnar Pohl
Manager Tax Services / Steuerabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4168
Nigel R Wood
The Wilkes Partnership
Anja Reeves
Manager Tax Services / Steuerabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4161
Company Secretary
Chris Putt
Speechly Bircham LLP
Management / Geschäftsführung
Dr Ulrich Hoppe
Director General /
Hauptgeschäftsführer
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4110
Verena Gronewold, Kay Köhnkow,
Christina Schild, Martin Werhahn
Tax Services / Steuerabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4160
For regional committees, email: [email protected]
8 EVENTS DIARY ❚
ANNUAL DINNER 2014
The Annual Dinner of the German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce was held at the prestigious Waldorf Hilton Hotel
on 23 July. Large numbers of members and other guests involved in the German-British business community were able to join
the festivities.
The Guest of Honour and Speaker was Dr Jens Weidmann, President of the Deutsche Bundesbank, who gave an excellent insight
into the benefits of European integration and the importance of further work on financial regulation, while also outlining steps to
establishing a harmonised and well-regulated digital single market.
Dr Klaus Peter Fouquet of Robert Bosch Ltd, the President of Deutsche
Bundesbank, Dr Jens Weidmann, and the President of the Chamber,
Sir Nigel Broomfield, pose for the camera
Dr Christine Scheck, Sonja Lindemann and Sarah Iles, all of The European
College of Business and Management, are enjoying the evening
Mark Green of DWF LLP and Sandra Baron of the Embassy of the Federal
Republic of Germany
Stefan Hattenkofer and Mike Evans, both of BayernLB, with Dr Stefan Georg
of Delta Economics
Anne Lee and Sarah Papps, both of Charles Fox Ltd, are enjoying the event
Kerstin Buerstedde and Johannes Haas, both of DZ BANK AG
❚ EVENTS DIARY 9
GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Reunification Day Golf Tournament, an event supported
by German Bankers, took place at Brookmans Park Golf Club
on 3 October.
A guest with Gillian Karran-Cumberlege of Fidelio Partners and Ulrich Ermel
of TQ-Systems GmbH
(l-r) Thomas Kolbe of KOLBE AV-Technology Ltd, Philip Robinson of BASF plc,
Peter Friend of hülsta (UK) Ltd and Colin Ritchie pose for the camera
MANAGING CHANGE SEMINAR
Luisa Kynast and Christoph Kynast, both of Kynast Elektroanlagen GmbH,
are enjoying the dinner
On 1 July the GermanBritish Chamber hosted
‘Diversity in the Workplace’,
and on 16 September
‘Managing Change – Your
Journey and Theirs’, as part
of the Managing Change
series of seminars. The
talks were given by Heike
Saxer-Taylor of Saxer-Taylor
Consulting and Matthew
Hill of Hill Networks – New
Leader’s Club, respectively.
Each seminar was attended
by some 30 people.
Heike Saxer-Taylor presenting
'Diversity in the Workplace'
BLICK ROTHENBERG SEMINAR
Susanne von Mueller (2nd from left) and Heiner Böhmer (3rd from left),
both of Helaba, pose for the camera with other guests
Sandra Tilson and Elizabeth Segarra Schwaiger, both of K+K Hotel George,
smile for the camera
On 9 October Blick Rothenberg LLP hosted the seminar
'German business travellers working in the UK – recent
changes and avoiding the UK tax/payroll pitfalls!'
Nils Schmidt-Soltau and Mark Abbs, Partners at Blick Rothenberg LLP, hosted
the seminar
10 EVENTS DIARY ❚
WORLD CUP
MIDLANDS RECEPTIONS
More than 50 members and their guests joined in the World
Cup fever on 16 and 26 June, when the Chamber showed
viewings of the matches Germany v Portugal and Germany
v USA, respectively. Watching such great football ensured a
fantastic atmosphere.
The Midlands Committee of the German-British Chamber
welcomed members and guests to the Summer Reception,
sponsored by The Wilkes Partnership, at the Cucina Rustica
restaurant in Birmingham on 9 July. The turnout of some
60 people shows that the Midlands are a vital hub for the
German-British business community. This was followed by
an Autumn Reception on 16 September at the Ikon Gallery,
Birmingham. Some 40 members and guests of the Chamber
welcomed a delegation from Brandenburg.
Charles Wilson (r) of German National Tourist Office and other guests are
enjoying the football
Julika Ploessner of Hill Hofstetter Limited and Paul Willoughby of Flybe
Rob Grose of Victor and Daniela Bardell of Westnine PR & Marketing support
Germany
Srikar Govindaraju and Emma Freudenthal, both of Birmingham University,
Brigitte Malige of Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd, Volker Heinemann of
Heinemann & Co and Angela Kuhn of Export PA
EVENTS CALENDAR
Thursday, 4 December 2014
Thursday, 19 February 2015
Members’ Christmas Reception
Sponsored by Commerzbank AG
Members‘ Seminar with Voller Rechtsanwälte PartG:
How to Proceed Against a German Debtor if Payment
is Not Forthcoming
Venue: German-British Chamber, 16 Buckingham Gate, London SW1
Time: 6.00pm – 8.30pm
Cost: Complimentary
Information and registration: www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
Venue: German-British Chamber, 16 Buckingham Gate, London SW1
Time: 5.15pm – 6.30pm, followed by refreshments
Cost: Complimentary
Information and registration: www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk
Members’ New Year’s Reception
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
Venue: German-British Chamber, 16 Buckingham Gate, London SW1
Time: 11.00am – 1.00pm
Cost: Complimentary
Information and registration: www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk
Members’ Seminar with Dale Carnegie Training:
Keeping your Top Talent and Performers
Venue: Thistle Holborn, The Kingsley, Bloomsbury Way, London WC1
Time: 5.30pm – 8.00pm
Cost: Complimentary
Information and registration: www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk
Please see our website for registrations and updates on events: www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk
❚ LEGAL COMMENT 11
Advertise
in INITIATIVE
Initiative magazine is the perfect
vehicle to reach decision makers
connected to the German-British
Chamber both here in the UK and
in Germany.
INITIATIVE
ISSUE 2 • SUMMER 2014
1
THE MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF THE GERMAN-BRITISH CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY & COMMERCE
Jeder, der eine Klage vor den Arbeitsgerichten im Vereinigten
Königreich erheben möchte, muss seit dem 29. Juli 2013 bei
deren Einreichung eine Gebühr entrichten. Als Grund für die Einführung
der Gebühren wurde primär das Erstreben einer Arbeitsentlastung der
Gerichte genannt – in der Vergangenheit habe es zu viele überflüssige
Klagen ohne Aussicht auf Erfolg gegeben.
As well as reaching clients and
partners of the Chamber, the
magazine is read by key people in
government departments, associations and other companies within the
German-British business community.
Published three times a year with a targeted circulation of
1,500 you can be sure that your advert will be highly visible
as we restrict advertising space.
You can buy half, quarter and whole pages… or for maximum
exposure, exclusive sponsorship of one issue (members only),
which includes two one-page adverts and a one-page article
(page 11) plus a suitable ‘company picture’ (1/2 page) on the
front cover.
To discuss your advertising needs in detail, please contact:
Bettina Schopmeier
German-British Chamber of Industry
& Commerce
16 Buckingham Gate
London SW1E 6LB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4146
Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 4101
Email: [email protected]
initiative is the official membership magazine of the German-British Chamber
and is published three times a year.
Publisher:
German-British Chamber
of Industry & Commerce
16 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4100
Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 4101
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ahk-london.co.uk
Drastische Reduzierung der
arbeitsgerichtlichen
Klageverfahren im Vereinigten
Königreich
Editorial & Advertising
Bettina Schopmeier
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4146
Email: members@ahk-london.
co.uk
Editorial assistance
Jana Toon
The reproduction in whole or in part of any material published in initiative
requires the prior written consent of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept
any liability for the accuracy or the completeness of any material published in
initiative. Opinions expressed in initiative do not necessarily reflect the views
of the German-British Chamber.
The German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce
is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and
Technology in accordance with a Resolution of the
German Parliament.
Die Höhe einer solchen Klageerhebungsgebühr beläuft sich auf
£160 bzw. £250 (abhängig von der zu erwartenden Komplexität
des Falles). Schreitet der Rechtsstreit weiter fort und kommt es zu
einer Anhörung vor dem Gericht, wird eine zusätzliche Gebühr
von bis zu £950 fällig.
Ein Mitte Juni 2014 veröffentlichter Artikel der britischen
Rundfunkanstalt BBC stellt vor allem die Sichtweise der
Gewerkschaften dar. Der Generalsekretär einer der größten
Gewerkschaften des Landes (TUC), Frances O’Grady, führt aus: „In der
Vergangenheit gab es keine Gebühren und Arbeitnehmer, die das
Gefühl hatten, dass ihnen Unrecht widerfahren ist, konnten ihren
Fall vor Gericht bringen mit der Folge, dass zu ihren Gunsten oder
aber Ungunsten entschieden wurde. Im letzten Sommer entschied
die Regierung jedoch, die Gerechtigkeit zugunsten derjenigen
einzuschränken, die sich die Gebühren leisten können. Der enorme
Abfall an Klagen bedeutet mit Sicherheit nicht, dass Arbeitgeber
im letzten Jahr „netter“ geworden sind; es ist für viele Arbeitnehmer
einfach zu teuer geworden, eine Beschwerde gegen ungerechte
Arbeitgeber einzulegen (…)“.
Die offiziellen Statistiken des Justizministeriums lassen das Ausmaß
der Reform erkennen: Im Zeitraum zwischen Januar und März 2014
wurden 84.700 Klageeingänge verzeichnet, dies sind 67% weniger
als in demselben Zeitraum des Vorjahres. Auch wurde seit der
erstmaligen Erfassung der Daten im Jahre 2008/09 nie eine geringere
Anzahl an Klageeingängen erfasst. Im gesamten Haushaltsjahr
2013/14 lag die Zahl bei 692.000; obwohl die Reform erst zu Mitte des
Haushaltsjahres in Kraft trat, kam es zu einem Rückgang von 21% im
Vergleich zum Vorjahr.
Mit dem Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act (ERRA) 2013 wurde
im Mai 2014 die Schlichtungsagentur Acas zur zwingenden
vorgerichtlichen Instanz, um Konflikte zwischen Arbeitsvertragsparteien auch ohne kostenintensiven Gerichtsprozess zu lösen. In
den ersten drei Monaten sind insgesamt ca. 17.000 Anfragen zur
„frühen Schlichtung“ eingegangen, davon waren nur 3% der
Kontaktsuchenden Arbeitgeber. Von den 11.000 Fällen, welche in
diesem Zeitraum begonnen und beendet wurden, war das
Schlichtungsverfahren zu 16,5% erfolgreich; weitere 19% der
Arbeitnehmer erklärten gegenüber Acas, dass sie die Sache nicht
weiter verfolgen wollen.
Johanna Hess, Legal Services
German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce
12 BUSINESS TO BUSINESS ❚
INITIATIVE provides a regular listing of companies in both the UK
and Germany who are seeking B2B partners and representatives
Business Partners from Germany / Geschäftspartner aus Deutschland
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC SWITCHBOARD
METERS
Weigel Meßgeräte is a well-known brand and has been famous
in Europe for its product quality since its foundation in 1919. We
are looking for a sales agent/wholesaler with good contacts in the
UK markets for railway applications and power plants, as well as
switchgear manufacturers and welding machine manufacturers. We
are interested in building a long-term relationship with a reliable
partner for successful co-operation in Great Britain. For more
information please contact:
Mr Markus Babel, Weigel Meßgeräte GmbH, Erlenstraße 14,
90441 Nürnberg, Germany
Tel: +49 911 4234730 Fax: +49 911 4234739
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.weigel-messgeraete.de
EROTIC LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS
Established in 1994, JOYDIVISION International AG manufactures over
250 erotic lifestyle products which are sold in over sixty countries
worldwide. The company has seventy employees and is growing
quickly. With company headquarters in Hanover, Germany, and a
subsidiary in the United States, JOYDIVISION sells to consumers via
chemists, pharmacies, specialised shops, mail order and department
stores. This certified German producer is looking to enter the British
market with sales agents who have contacts to the retail industry
as mentioned, or mail order health products, teleshopping and
shopping clubs, erotica stores, health organisations, advice centres
and therapists, midwives and doctors. For further information, please
contact:
Ms Katrin Pollney, JOYDIVISION International AG,
Rudolf-Diesel-Weg 10, 30419 Hannover, Germany
Tel: +49 511 679966613 Fax: +49 511 6799666880
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.joydivision-international-ag.de
ROOM FRAGRANCE
Ipuro room fragrance, leading in room fragrance in Germany, Austria
and Switzerland, is searching for sales representatives in the UK. Readyto-sell concepts for grocery, DIY and furniture stores, department
stores and special trade. Well-established products with proven track
record and high rotation at attractive prices. Trade supported by SISconcepts. Selling already to major retailers in established markets. For
further information, please contact:
Mr Manfred Barme, Gries Deco Company GmbH,
Boschstr. 7, 63843 Niedernberg, Germany
Tel: +49 6028 944 4428 Fax: +49 6028 944 74428
Email: [email protected] Web: www.ipuro.com
PRECISION ENGINEERING
Tipecska Maschinenbau GmbH is a German family-owned business
established in Munich in 1924 and well known for high quality and
innovation in the field of precision engineering. The company is
looking for serious, self-motivated technical sales agents with an
existing portfolio and who ideally have engineering experience. The
company produces:
– non-pharma tableting tools which are used in the following
industries: chemistry (e.g. catalyst, dishwasher, or salt tablets), food
industry, metal industry.
– Sheet-feeding heads manufactured for different producers of offset
printing, gluing or screen-printing machines.
For further information, please contact:
Ms Eva Tipecska, Tipecska Maschinenbau GmbH,
Äußere Kreuzäcker 1, 82395 Oberöschering, Germany
Tel: +49 8847 69909-0 Fax: +49 8847 69909-50
Email: [email protected] Web: www.tipecska.de
OPTIMIZED SOLUTIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL
AUTOMATION
We make customer-specific mechatronic solutions for the
optimization of automatic processes. We are looking for a competent
distributor to market our products in the UK. Our future partner
is expected to identify target industries independently and win
customers on the basis of well-established product know-how.
Professional order processing and logistics complete the partner’s
profile. For further information, please contact:
Mr Klaus Pries, Kendrion Kuhnke Automation GmbH,
Lütjenburger Straße 101, 23714 Malente, Germany
Tel: +49 4523 402-445 Fax: +49 4523 40258-445
Email: [email protected] Web: www.kuhnke.com
MAGNETIC SYSTEMS FOR MEASURING
AND POSITIONING
BOGEN has been developing and manufacturing magnetic products
for demanding applications since 1951. Our core competence is in the
design and implementation of customer-specific magnetic solutions
for magnetic measuring and information reading/writing. BOGEN
provides magnetic encoders, magnetic linear and rotative scales, and
magnetic heads in low to medium volume. Most of our products are
engineered to customer specifications. BOGEN is searching for sales
representatives in the UK. For further information, please contact:
Mr Torsten Becker, BOGEN Electronic GmbH,
Potsdamer Str. 12-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
Tel: +49 30 81000-20 Fax: +49 30 81000-260
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.bogen-electronic.com
❚ CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2013 13
14 BRITAIN INVESTS ❚
Britain Invests
Trends and views on direct investment by British
companies in Germany
The German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce promotes trade and investment between the United Kingdom and
Germany. Building on its role to inform the wider economic and political world about British-German trade and investment,
the Chamber carried out its third survey on the trends and views of British subsidiaries in Germany.
UK parent companies with operations in Germany completed a comprehensive questionnaire, investigating factors such as
market focus and trends in future developments.
The results highlight the current trends in direct investment by British companies in Germany.
Area of investment by British companies
The federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse have always
been close to Britain, which is reflected by the fact that over 50 percent
of British companies have a subsidiary in these two federal states.
Other Federal States 9%
Lower Saxony 5%
North RhineWestphalia 29%
Hamburg 6%
Sectorial distribution of British companies
Since our last survey in 2011, most of the sectors have remained largely
unchanged, except for the sectors 'Business Services', which has shrunk,
and the sector 'Wholesale and Logistics', which has more than doubled.
Financial Services 5%
Business
Services 25%
Berlin 6%
BadenWürttemberg 10%
Hesse 22%
Bavaria 13%
Main activities of British companies in Germany
More than one third of British subsidiaries have manufacturing as their
main activity. This underlines the attractiveness of Germany as a location
for such activities.
Research and
Development
(R&D) 1%
Services
46%
Sales and
Distribution 16%
2013
Mechanical
and Electrical
Engineering 14%
Other
Manufacturing 23%
Wholesale/Logistics 21%
Reasons for investing in Germany
Serving the German market is the main reason for British investment
in Germany, however, the availability of skills in the labour market and
using Germany as an export base also play an important role.
Labour skills
Important
Very important
Research and
33%
50%
Development
(R&D) 16%
23%
23%
Regulatory
environment
Labour market
Services
17%
laws
27%
Overall importance of
93% 7%
Germany as a market
Export potential with
58% 17%
Germany as an export base
Outlook for the particular
Sales and 29%
71%
branch of industry
Manufacturing
Distribution 39%
Expansion of business into
18%
42%
42%
other market segments
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2010
Manufacturing
37%
IT & Telecommunications
equipment 7%
Other Categories
7%
❚ BRITAIN INVESTS 15
Importance of the UK being a member
of the European Union
BUSINESS NEWS
About 75 percent of British subsidiaries in Germany said it is important
for business that Britain stays in the European Union.
Less
important 25%
Very important
30%
Britain
remains
in the EU
Weltmeister der Energieeffizienz
Deutschland hat den ersten Platz beim internationalen EnergieeffizienzRanking des US-amerikanischen Think-Tanks ACEEE erreicht. Das
Ranking identifiziert anhand von 31 Faktoren weltweit beispielhafte
Maßnahmen im Bereich der Energieeffizienz. Die Studie lobt
Deutschlands umfassende Energiestrategie und vergab unter
anderem Bestnoten für die Kategorien Bauvorschriften, energetische
Gebäudesanierung, spezielle Steuersätze sowie Förderkredite.
+++
Kaufkraft und Konsumverhalten
– Vereinigtes Königreich
Important
45%
Breakdown of German subsidiaries by number
of employees and turnover
The majority of British-owned companies in Germany tend to be small to
medium-sized, i.e. fewer than 250 employees and less than €40 million
turnover. Turnover is expected to continue to increase over the next years.
Number of employees
40%
35%
26%
25%
21%
20%
15%
10%
8%
8%
251 - 500
over 500
5%
0%
1 - 10
11 - 50
51- 250
Turnover
40%
37%
30%
24%
17%
20%
15%
10%
5%
less than
€5m
€5m – €20m
A third of the world wants to work
in Germany
+++
13%
10%
0%
In den nächsten fünf Jahren wird die britische
24% Bauwirtschaft laut
Prognosen um25%
insgesamt 22,2% wachsen. Der Infrastrukturbau
soll 2014 um 9,2% und 2015 um 7,0% zulegen. Mehrere
20%
17%
milliardenschwere Projekte sind in der Pipeline, darunter eine
Hochgeschwindigkeitsstrecke
und ein riesiger Abwasserkanal
15%
13% in
London. Der Ausbau der Offshore-Windkraft wird weiterverfolgt. Für
den Baustart des
10%Atomkraftwerks Hinkley Point C wartet man derzeit
noch auf eine Genehmigung der Europäischen Kommission.
5%
+++
0%
less than €5m – €20m
€20m –
€50m –
€5m
€50m
€250m
Germany is the number one non-English speaking destination for
migrant workers, according to a global study. Germany ranked as the
fourth most popular place to work abroad globally, after the US, UK
and Canada respectively. Berlin ranked as the sixth most popular city
worldwide to work in, according to the study from jobsite StepStone
and The Boston Consulting Group. London was in top spot, followed by
New York and Paris.
35%
25%
+++
Branche40%kompakt
- Bauwirtschaft
37%
(Tiefbau/Infrastrukturbau)
35%
Vereinigtes
Königreich
30%
37%
30%
Die britische Wirtschaft wächst 2014 kräftig. Auch die privaten
Konsumausgaben nehmen wieder zu. Viele Konsumenten holen
Anschaffungen nach, die sie in der Wirtschaftskrise aufgeschoben
hatten. Die Bevölkerungszahl steigt aufgrund der anhaltenden
Zuwanderung. Die kaufkräftigen Konsumenten sind allerdings in
London und Südostengland konzentriert. Online-Shopping und
elektronische Bezahlsysteme sind alltäglicher als in Deutschland.
Verbreitet sind auch Kundenkredite.
€20m –
€50m
€50m –
€250m
more than
€250m
Weitere Artikel und Branchen-Trends
unter www.gtai.de
This section is provided in
co-operation with Germany Trade
& Invest and TheLocal.de.
10%
more th
€250m