VIP visit
On August 14, German Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economics Dr. Philip Roesler, visited our company. The following article has been translated from the East Thuringian newspaper dated 15.08.2013.
Vice Chancellor Philipp Roesler Sees Gera Flagship Company
In times of the election campaign, Philipp Roesler visits ELECTRONICON - and is full of praise
Gera. Ursula von der Leyen has already been there, Thuringia's Minister Machning, too, as did the Prime Minister, the Thuringian Minister of the Environment, the President of the Parliament and the Deputy National Chairman of the Liberal Democrats, Holger Zastrow. Now the list of prominent politicians visiting the Gera capacitor manufacturer ELECTRONICON has abruptly become even longer: on Wednesday Federal Minister Philip Roesler (FDP) and his national, state, and city party colleagues visited the company. Why ELECTRONICON? Because the operation is inseparable from Gera, says FDP county chairman Falk Nerger, who has suggested this company visit. But he also points out: if there had been more time, then we’d also have been able to see enterprises not running that well.
For ELECTRONICON’s MD Walter Bauer, flying visits like this have nearly become routine: first, a presentation on the development of the company, then, a tour through production. The Vice- Chancellor likes what Bauer says. For example, that the capacitors are one hundred percent "Made in Germany"; that already 70 temporary workers have become permanent members of the ELECTRONICON team and that outsourcing abroad is not always the smartest idea.
ELECTRONICON’s three locations in Gera are running very well. The order situation is good, the market is being watched closely and the correct decisions are made. The Minister replies with an appreciative nod and a sentence that could make Walter Bauer proud: Everything that represents German economy is embodied by ELECTRONICON.
Energy cost. This was also addressed during the visit. There are no abatements for the middle-class enterprise - even though its power consumption is not exactly low which is why the cost pressure is not to be underestimated. A perfect pass for the minister who does not believe in energy discounts for a few power-hungry, but wants more competition in the electricity market, hoping for this to result in lower prices. The Minister insists in a general debate on energy.
After one hour, the visit is over. There is a painting with a Gera motif for Roesler from ELECTRONICON and from his FDP the request to come back again, then with more time.
(Photos: ELECTRONICON’s MD Walter Bauer and Philipp Roesler in the clean room, looking at capacitor windings. Photo: Martin Gerlach)