Politics and Economy in Conversation

L to R: Christian Traumann (Managing Director of MULTIVAC) and Oliver Neumayer (Executive Vice President CO/FI/Treasury/IT, MULTIVAC) in conversation with Member of Parliament Stephan Stracke.

L to R: Christian Traumann (Managing Director of MULTIVAC) and Oliver Neumayer (Executive Vice President CO/FI/Treasury/IT, MULTIVAC) in conversation with Member of Parliament Stephan Stracke.

At the end of March, the Allgäu Member of Parliament Stephan Stracke (CSU) visited the headquarters of MULTIVAC in Wolfertschwenden to discuss current topics with Managing Director Christian Traumann. The focus was on the 2021 federal election, the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the company, and a discussion about possible bureaucratic reduction in various economic sectors. The conversation took place in the new Competence Center for Slicers and Automation Solutions.

As Chairman of the VDMA Specialist Association and as a member of the VDMA Executive Board, MULTIVAC supports the core demands of the VDMA for the upcoming 2021 federal election. For example, the German machinery and plant engineering sector is a leader in the development of Industry 4.0. Additionally, digitalization is being accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Digital policy therefore needs greater emphasis and close cooperation across Europe, i.e., shared cloud infrastructures, rapid expansion of digital infrastructure, and protection of data and know-how along the value chain," said Christian Traumann.

Politics and Business in the Joint Fight Against COVID

In the current pandemic, MULTIVAC has taken comprehensive measures to minimize the impact on normal business operations. Christian Traumann agreed with the MP that the pandemic poses enormous challenges for companies. As the CSU's labor market policy spokesperson in the German Bundestag, Stephan Stracke was particularly interested in how MULTIVAC has managed through this challenging time so far. "Even though MULTIVAC only experienced a decline in a few business areas due to COVID-19, the pandemic has visibly affected our daily operations," explained Christian Traumann. "The organizational and administrative additional efforts, especially the extra documentation requirements, are enormous."

Both interlocutors agreed that overcoming the pandemic requires joint action by politics and business. For example, MULTIVAC is ready with medical personnel (company doctors) to support the national vaccination campaign through workplace vaccination offers for all employees, once the political and organizational framework conditions have been established. "This approach is exactly the right one," praised Stephan Stracke of the company's initiative. "As soon as enough vaccine is available, we urgently need the network of general practitioners and company doctors to organize as rapid a vaccination as possible for as many people as possible. I expressly thank the efforts already made here at MULITVAC," said the MP.

Other topics discussed included particularly the possible reduction of bureaucracy, such as regarding the EU Posting of Workers Directive. For internationally active companies like MULTIVAC, it is especially important that freedoms within the EU Single Market are not undermined by bureaucratic measures. "The EU Posting of Workers Directive and the associated, once again intensified proof obligations regarding social security and minimum wages are increasingly eroding the freedoms within the Single Market, free movement of persons, and free movement of services," said Christian Traumann. "Companies like MULTIVAC must be able to deploy their employees legally, without bureaucracy, and without legal assistance within the EU." Stephan Stracke agreed. The effort, especially for short-term business trips abroad, is enormous, the MP explained, referring to the so-called A1 certificate, which must be applied for by the employer from the first day for every border crossing, no matter how short. "This has no practical relevance," clarified Stephan Stracke. "There must be an urgent simplification here." A corresponding initiative by the heads of state and government to abolish the A1 certificate from the first day has so far failed due to resistance from the European Parliament, explained Stephan Stracke.

The packaging specialist also wished for less bureaucracy, for example regarding the Supply Chain Act. Christian Traumann further mentioned the high effort involved in the physical storage of import customs documents and the multiple reporting requirements in foreign trade. Everything that burdens the economy with additional bureaucratic regulations must now be carefully examined, also confirmed Stephan Stracke. "We now need a moratorium on burdens for the economy at all levels and no further regulations and taxes," he said.

"MULTIVAC stands for innovative spirit and growth and is one of the most important employers in our region. Your value-oriented guiding principles of appreciation, cooperation, and excellence are not only high standards but also guarantees of success for the future," concluded Stephan Stracke at the end of the economic policy exchange.