The head of the Würth Group sees the future of the German economy positively despite the high energy prices.

"I am very optimistic that Germany will continue to be competitive as a location," said Robert Friedmann of the FAZ. The qualifications of the people and the dual training system continue to be a great strength.

Gustave parts

Business correspondent in Stuttgart.

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"Of course we are falling behind at the moment," said Friedmann in view of the energy prices.

But that won't last forever, politicians are working on reducing it.

The war in Ukraine will also end at some point.

“Industrial settlements are decided for decades.

When we build a new factory, we don't just look at the current situation," said Friedmann.

"We continue to invest in Germany."

“We are on a par with Adidas”

From the manager's point of view, the debate about the gas supply and energy prices was necessary, although the situation is now "not nearly as bad as feared".

It was "legitimate to shake things up first," said Friedmann, who has been leading the group, which is known as a screw dealer, for almost 18 years.

The fact that black paint is sometimes used is "a German phenomenon".

But this property does not harm.

"I find it easier to be pleasantly surprised."

Würth itself continues its rapid growth.

Within two years, sales have increased by almost 40 percent.

Last year, the group grew by almost 17 percent to 19.95 billion euros, as the family company from Künzelsau in north-eastern Baden-Württemberg announced on Wednesday.

Friedmann now sees the broad group that produces and sells fastening material in a league with Dax companies.

"We are on a par with Henkel and Adidas," said Friedmann.

The two much more well-known companies also make around 20 billion euros in sales.

“We gained market share”

However, the development of Würth is also due to special effects.

Currency-adjusted growth was 15 percent, of which Friedmann says about half is inflation-driven.

However, Würth is doing better than many of its competitors.

"We gained market share," he said.

One reason is the high level of investment in the build-up of warehouses.

Würth has therefore been able to deliver much more reliably than the competition in recent years.

Earnings increased by around 18 percent, growing faster than sales.

Friedmann rejected the fact that Würth had used the inflation to turn the price screw excessively.

“Our earnings growth comes from productivity, not prices.

We could not pass on the price increases in full.” In addition, the cost planning had been adjusted to lower growth.

The number of employees increased by 3 percent to almost 86,000 employees, more than half of them in sales and almost a third in Germany.

For the new year, Friedmann expects a moderate decline in inflation.

"The price pressure will relax." The group expects high single-digit sales growth.

Initially, however, Würth is driving on sight and has postponed investments for a few months.