05.03.2025
International
The 24th Druckgusstag in Ingolstadt focused on the major issues of transformation. Shortly after the German parliamentary election, die casters also expressed their displeasure with the current framework conditions.
Those attending the Druckgusstag on February 26 expected specialist presentations on the most important topics in the industry. And they were not disappointed - three OEMs from the automotive sector reported on their strategies in terms of sustainability, decarbonization, etc. and what they expect from their suppliers when the the Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, LkSG) and its European equivalent take effect.
However, shortly after the parliamentary election, it was also about more, namely Germany as an industrial location. Industry and business are currently sending clear messages to the new federal government, and foundries are no exception. Tobias Gotthardt from the party Freie Wähler, State Secretary in the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, was once again made aware of the inadequate economic framework conditions in Germany during the panel discussion. The Bundesverband der Deutschen Gießerei-Industrie (BDG) had already summarized these as demands for the sector in the elections.
The Bavarian State Secretary could only agree with many of them. Criticism of the excessive bureaucracy that makes it difficult for medium-sized companies to work struck a nerve with the foundrymen in particular. The simple list of reporting obligations that a company with around 250 employees has to deal with came from the auditorium - and was met with spontaneous applause from the participants. “We need a new culture in the authorities - less fear-driven,” Gotthardt also knows. The State Secretary promised to stand up for the interests of the industry, both in Bavaria and in Brussels, where he regularly speaks up for his federal state.
The 24th Druckgusstag of the VDD was once again supported by the BDG, which organized the event. This year's edition in Ingolstadt was also the starting signal for submissions for the European Die Casting Award, which will be presented at next year's Euroguss.
Featured photo: BDG