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"Reception of the economy" this year at Volvo in Konz-Könen

"Reception of the economy" this year at Volvo in Konz-Könen

Local economy discusses the energy transition and current developments

How do I make my company fit for the energy transition? How are companies dealing with rising prices? These were just two questions that the local economy discussed last Thursday at the economy reception. Around 70 representatives of the companies in the Konz municipality came to exchange ideas. The city of Konz, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Trier Chamber of Crafts and the Konz City Marketing had invited.

Discussion round at the business reception in a hall on the premises of Volvo in Konz-Könen.
Left to right: Michael Zundler (IHK), Alex Bettendorf (Trier Chamber of Crafts), moderator Thomas Vatheuer, Stefan Holbach (Konz Stadtmarketing) and Mayor Joachim Weber.

This time the event did not take place in the monastery of St. Bruno in Karthaus as usual, but at the machine manufacturer Volvo in Konz-Könen. First, the visitors had the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the company premises. They were also able to take a closer look at Volvo's new electric excavator, which is extremely successful. The machine builder from Konz has the energy transition firmly in sight, wants to become CO2-neutral by 2040 and is committed to the further development of e-mobility. This makes the company a best-practice example when it comes to implementing the energy transition in the region.

dr Ulrich Faß from Volvo therefore reported on the machine builder's plans and previous steps. Another speaker was Michael Zundler from the IHK. He lectured on the topic "Energy Crisis 2022 - Looking ahead". Because a faster energy transition is also an opportunity. However, according to Zundler, the political goals for the expansion of renewable energies, for example, do not reflect reality. The implementation must happen faster, which has been difficult in practice so far.

The discussion that followed, which was moderated by journalist Thomas Vatheuer, also dealt with the shortage of skilled workers. Axel Bettendorf from the Trier Chamber of Crafts emphasized that there would be no energy transition without crafts. Because more than 10 million gas boilers and 6 million oil boilers nationwide are waiting to be replaced by new technologies. This has to be carried out by skilled trades, but companies often look in vain for trainees.

The shortage of skilled workers also worries retail and gastronomy, reported Stephan Holbach from Konz Stadtmarketing. The rising prices also mean that wages have to rise so that the jobs do not become less attractive. This, in turn, contrasts with the fact that less is being bought and consumed at the moment. The gap between expenses and income is widening.

Joachim Weber, mayor of the city and associated municipality of Konz knows these problems from the administration. Finding trainees is difficult and sometimes vacancies cannot be filled at all. Construction costs for projects such as road and school renovations are increasing - and with ever greater pressure to save. However, the administration has already implemented many projects for the energy transition: these include wind turbines in Pellingen, which generate more electricity than the residents of the association consume at home, as well as solar systems on many public buildings. Furthermore, work is currently underway to supply the administration building in Konz with climate-neutral and independent local heating and electricity from the sewage treatment plant.

Mayor Weber thanked Volvo for allowing the “Business Reception” to take place on the company premises this year. "This was a successful change."