Dear Colleagues,
With Spring beginning in Germany, the desire for a return to normal everyday life has increased again. However, frustrations about measures to combat COVID-19 are not only felt in this country. No matter who I’ve spoken to at Bauerfeind over the past days: everywhere in the world, people are fed up with the consequences of the pandemic. COVID-19 is testing our limits.
The situation is particularly exhausting for mothers and fathers. I have great respect for all those who have had to balance work and family for months: looking after their children every day – yet still giving their all at work. Always being strong and a good role model for your daughter or son – even if you’re feeling discouraged. It saps your energy and really put a strain on everyone. It is all the more important to stick together and give each other strength, in a professional as well as private setting: support and encourage each other when the other person is having a bad day. Talk to each other – not always about the coronavirus.
We have excellent reasons for maintaining our optimism when looking at what we have already managed to cope with and what we have overcome. That should motivate us to persevere with the rest of the journey!
Kind regards,
Rainer Berthan
Chief Executive Officer
Current situation and measures at Bauerfeind
+++ Infections: we keep hearing reports of individual cases, both in Germany and in the subsidiaries. In Zeulenroda, Germany, six colleagues were tested positive until the end of February. The five colleagues who fell ill in Dubai at the beginning of February are now getting better. Luckily, nobody was seriously ill. +++
+++ The order situation in January and February 2021 was stable but, as expected, significantly lower than during the same period last year when the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect Bauerfeind. +++
+++ Despite interruptions owing to illness, Production and Logistics are continuing reliably. Preparations took place and the warehouses are excellently stocked. +++
+++ Short-time work: due to the current order situation, short-time work will be implemented during March in the Logistics as well Production Departments in Zeulenroda, and in Production in Gera. Since January, colleagues in the subsidiaries in Switzerland, Austria, Sweden and the UK have already switched to short-time work. +++
+++ Events: organizing trade fairs and conventions is currently associated with great uncertainty because of the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Executive Board has therefore decided to cancel the Industry Forum planned for November 4 and 5, 2021 in Munich. With almost 600 participants, it is Bauerfeind’s biggest customer event in Germany. +++
+++ Field sales force in Italy: more than 50 per cent of the Italian field sales force has already had its COVID-19 vaccination. These employees were categorized similar to medical staff and thus prioritized.
+++ Bauerfeind in Gera: with a view to the future and the time after the COVID-19 pandemic, the plan is to continue to expand production capacities in Gera as well over the coming years. “We are looking for opportunities for gradual expansion, which is what we are discussing with Gera’s relevant authorities,” Andreas Lauth, Chief Technical Officer, reports. +++