The German Whitewares Industry Draws up a Balance

摘要

At the ACM of the members VKI announced the results for the tableware, technical ceramics and stove tile sectors. The re-elected chairman of the Association of the Ceramics Industry (Verband der Keramischen Industrie i.e. VKI) Ottmar C. Kiisel (CEO of Rosenthal AC) voiced criticism that the factor "Agenda 2010" imposed and implemented by the German government in the previous year had brought about far too little. Thus, the promised labour cost proportion of below 40 % could not be realised. At the end of the day approximately one third of the gross domestic product was channelled into social-security contributions. Poor consumer demand in a climate of economic stagnation and heavily influenced by the fear of job loss had not come as a surprise. Furthermore industry was being impeded by the strong Euro, which has an influence on the important export market. Not just the high price of oil but also the additional duties on energy as well as the linkage of gas to the recent development in oil prices have had a negative effect. In the meantime and on top of this, there is the toll on heavy vehicle traffic, which similar to the increased costs of raw materials could not be passed on to the customers.