Federal Association of the German Brick and Tile Industry now in Berlin

Many of you already know: as of the beginning of 2018, the Federal Association of the German Brick and Tile Industry Regd. has been based directly in the centre of Berlin. With our move, we are joining many of our alliance partners as well as the other over 5 000 lobbyists in Germany’s capital.

One goal, above all, is associated with the move – to get more involved as the clay brick and tile industry in political activities. We have so far been successful in representing technical and political interests. I recall, for instance, the relief for government-induced energy costs for the industry or the stopping of an again completely excessive tightening up of the EnEV energy saving ordinance.

Now what does 2018 bring us? In Brussels we are currently working hard on restructuring of CO₂ emission trading. Here we have a good chance of being classed as a carbon leakage sector beyond the year 2020. Less encouraging is the dragging on of the formation of a coalition government in Berlin. Many of the topics relevant for the brick and tile industry are falling by the wayside. Besides the industry-friendly further development of the energy turnaround, these include primarily the many unresolved issues concerning construction policy. Even in times of healthy construction activity, the in some cases considerable drop in construction permits especially for detached and semi-detached houses should not be ignored. Insofar, affordable living and construction remain at the top of the political agenda. The availability of sufficient building land, the creation of tax incentives for housing construction to keep up with demand and the selective support of energy refurbishment for existing buildings are just some key points.

When it comes to the organization of an association, a move is often associated with personnel changes. Fortunately, with Juliane Nisse for the Federal Association and Naumann for the Working Group on Masonry Bricks, we have been able to find two competent new colleagues who, starting on 1 January and 1 February respectively. will support us in future with technical lobbying. With Dieter Rosen, Dr Udo Meyer and Katharina Armbrecht, many of our technical experts have remained on board, so rather than losing any impact, but we shall continue to gain in strength.

You will get to know the new colleagues personally in the course of the year. A good opportunity for this is the Annual Meeting to which again all brick associations invite commonly. This will be held from 6 to 8 June 2018 in Heidelberg.

Yours

Dr. Matthias Frederichs
General Secretary
Federal Association of the German Brick and Tile Industry Regd