Dr. Malte Matthias Zimmer, Head of Environmental and Chemicals Policy at the German Surface Technology Association, Hilden
"It's impossible to know all the coronavirus regulations"
Galvanotechnik: How is the lockdown affecting the coating industry?
Dr. Malte Zimmer: Naturally, in a diverse industry such as surface technology, there is a wide range in the type and extent of the effects. Among other things, the controversial suspension of the obligation to file for insolvency distorts the true economic situation. The ZVO has attempted to gain an overview of this by conducting its own surveys. For example, 40% of companies were planning moderate staff reductions of 5% in October. It remains to be seen whether this can be maintained if the pandemic measures are extended.
What do you think politicians should have done differently?
They should - and still should - have reviewed the success of their measures. We have been sliding from one lockdown to the next for months - yet the number of infected people has been rising for a long time. There is a contradiction here. The enormous burden on society and the economy is apparently not matched by an adequate result. It is too easy to blame the lack of success on non-compliance with the obligation to wear a mask and unreasonable demonstrators. What is needed is an intensive, interdisciplinary and open-ended discussion. Unfortunately, questioning is not welcome.
What can you, as a representative of an association, do to counteract this?
To be honest? Very little! We, too, are overwhelmed by the plethora of regulations, lockdown measures, draft laws, political roadmaps and initiatives, as well as the ever faster pace at which they are being adapted and amended. The many imaginative employees in authorities, agencies and ministries are matched by only a few who are able to compare the ever new ideas with reality.
A quote from small companies could sound like this: "We try to meet all our obligations, but it has long since become impossible to even know all of them."
What has been your experience with the government aid promised in full?
The information from companies in April 2020 was often sobering. The application process was anything but simple and straightforward. The loans advertised by the German government as interest-free could not be found. There were apparently no interest-free loans. However, the experience with the house banks was apparently predominantly positive, even if the banks often imposed even stricter security requirements. Only around a third of the companies tried to make use of public aid, 15% received emergency aid and 20% loans.
What will happen next?
In June 2020, 47% of companies were still assuming a normalization in quarter 1-2021. This is now doubtful. Rebuilding the economy while taking the "Green Deal" into account will be a long process. The expectation that companies will shift their procurement policy back to Europe could be positive.
ABOUT THE PERSON
Dr. Malte Matthias Zimmer with Hovawart puppy "Loki". In the face of the noisy corona hysteria, Zimmer quotes Jean Michel Chaumont: "The deep silence of dogs comforts us beyond the useless words of men."
