The
Association of German Tool and Mold Makers (VDWF) is issuing an urgent appeal
to the German government and the European Commission: Without immediate,
effective political support, the future of tool and mold making in Europe is at
stake — and with this key industry, so too are the entire manufacturing sector
and hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Tool and
mold making is the backbone of industrial production. It is indispensable for
the manufacture of parts made of plastic, metal, and many other materials for
all areas of our daily lives — from mobility and medical technology to consumer
goods and their packaging. Tools capture essential product and process
knowledge.
The VDWF
represents the interests of its more than 500 members from an industry
dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises. It explicitly sees itself as a
European association and counts companies from Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia,
Sweden, Serbia, and Hungary among its network.
A Wake-up
Call to Policymakers
In an
open letter to Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina
Reiche, and to the President of the European Commission, Dr. Ursula von
der Leyen, the VDWF highlights the sector's alarming economic situation and
calls for targeted measures to safeguard competitiveness. Toolmakers are
systemically important, but are suffering from sharply rising costs, unfair
global competition, and, in some cases, a dramatic decline in both return on
sales and production volumes, the letter states.
The
association delivers a clear message to both policymakers: "The trend toward
deindustrialization must not be allowed to continue! We appeal to you to
safeguard the competitiveness of the tool and mold making industry through
targeted measures."
VDWF
Managing Director Ralf Dürrwächter emphasizes the urgency of the association's
appeal: "The VDWF is committed to ensuring that tool and mold making, as a key
industry, finally receives the political attention and support it deserves.
This is the only way Germany can remain a technology leader and a hub for
innovation."
China
Invests, Europe Hesitates
For local
toolmakers, heavily subsidized suppliers from China pose a serious threat.
China has long recognized the industry's crucial strategic role and has
implemented massive support measures. Germany and Europe are at risk of being
left behind. The sector's critical condition is evident in the drastic
decline in production volumes over the past few years and the rising number of
insolvency cases — just two of many warning signs pointing to an existential
threat to the tool and mold making industry.
The association's specific demands include enforcing fair competition rules,
greater financial relief, more comprehensive support measures, the protection
of intellectual property, and expanded support for vocational training and
continuing professional development.
Germany
and Europe: Industrial Base at Risk
The
letter makes it clear: If the tooling sector collapses, Germany and Europe will
lose their industrial foundation, with serious consequences for production,
innovation, and jobs. The VDWF calls for a constructive dialogue with
policymakers to jointly develop sustainable solutions.
"Without targeted political support and a level playing field, we risk losing
our industrial base and, with it, hundreds of thousands of jobs," says VDWF
President Prof. Thomas Seul, summarizing the situation. "We are ready. For
innovation. For quality. For Europe," the open letter states.
Not only VDWF members, but all interested companies are explicitly invited to
support the petition and back the demands outlined in it. The option to sign
online, as well as a current overview of the individuals and companies that
have signed, is available at vdwf.de/offener-brief.
