Dear colleagues!
The Corona-pandemic will not be the end of the world, though this world is currently being seriously shaken. Many of the things which we have taken for granted yesterday, are today called into question:
Our social contacts are subjected to a severe ordeal, which extends to the point that we cannot temporarily visit our elderly and sick for their protection, kindergartens and schools are closed, which creates big problems for families with children, caffes and restaurants are closed and the well-deserved Easter break is marred by travel restrictions.
Although the number of infected is decreasing, it can get worse.
In our world of 'division of labor', the virus hits us in the most vulnerable place: the global 'outsourcing' of protective masks, clothing, disinfectants and medicines is just the tip of the iceberg. Social life is in a state of self-imposed shock, and industrial production in Germany and Europe has seen a marked decline.
I am writing to you because I would like to briefly inform you of the effects of the Corona-pandemic on our enterprise.
- The most important thing is to do everything we can to stay healthy. Because of this, we have taken various measures in our factories and administrations that should keep the risk of infection very low. The most important thing that weighs most on us is keeping the distance we need. Hygiene measures are another very important element.
- In addition, it is important to limit the economic impact on jobs and the enterprise as much as possible. In Germany alone, four major manufacturers of Daimler, BMW, VW and Ford have shut down factories for many weeks, as a result, so far 80 of our customers in the foundry industry and three large flotation tubs followed them with "Temporary production interruptions ". The ceramics industry has announced many weeks of work stoppages during the Easter holidays, and the recession is not going to have a good impact on the already hard-hit paper industry. In some provinces of southern Germany and Austria, construction exchanges were closed in the meantime. We receive lists daily from our insurers that refuse to continue to guarantee our claims against certain clients. Similar developments are observed in our branches abroad.
The biggest problem is that no one can say how long the pandemic will continue to paralyze the business life. One thing is clear: the more stagnant it continues, the more severe its effects will be on the entire economy.
I cannot rule out that in these difficult times (temporarily) we will have to tighten the belt. I cannot rule out that there is a period of drought ahead of us, I even expect it. Situationally, we may have to endure phases of work with reduced working hours. But I am convinced that if we are united and resolutely confronted with the crisis, we have all the necessary prerequisites to overcome it within a year.
Our framework conditions are good: we, as a family-owned enterprise, have kept the measure at a time when money was cheap. Our crisis scenarios provide for severe constraints and significant financial burdens, but not an existential threat. Of course, we have to seriously cut down on all costs, postpone a lot of investment, but financially we stand very steadily, and we have significantly expanded our financial maneuvering capabilities in a crisis-relevant manner.
Dear Colleagues, thank you, that in this tense situation for all of us, with determination and responsibility, you are contributing to keeping the virus at bay and limiting its economic impact.
Stay healthy!
With a hearty mining greetings!
Robert Lindeman-Berk