“We are delighted that so many guests have come to our traditional summer festival,” said Andreas Wagner, Chairman of the Association of the Wood Industry and Plastics Processing Westphalia-Lippe and the Series Furniture Association at the start. Together with General Manager Jan Kurth, he welcomed around 120 guests on the terrace of the Marta Café in Herford yesterday evening and viewed the good turnout as a sign of solidarity within the industry.
Steffen Kampeter, General Manager of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations, was the keynote speaker at the event and gave hope for the future. “Even though the furniture industry is currently facing major challenges, I am convinced that it can emerge from this crisis stronger with the right framework conditions.” The furniture industry has the potential to reinvent itself and once again act as a strong economic engine. Now is the time to look ahead optimistically and take the necessary steps through action, he explained.
There is a particularly good economic structure in East Westphalia-Lippe, he said. “You just have to let us do what we want.” He appealed to the entrepreneurs present to lobby politicians for more incentives to work. “The upturn will only succeed if everyone rolls up their sleeves and works hard.” Better compatibility of family and work, an education system that is in keeping with the times and the reduction of bureaucratic hurdles are just a few of the many approaches.
The reduction of bureaucracy was also a topic in the subsequent discussion round with the member of the state parliament Bianca Winkelmann (CDU), the Herford district administrator Jürgen Müller (SPD), Steffen Kampeter, Jan Kurth and Andreas Wagner.
During the summer party, lawyer Klemens Brand was officially bid farewell to his retirement. The long-standing co-managing director and head of the legal department is retiring after almost 35 years.
“Without exaggeration, I must say that with him a professional institution – and a true original – of our association’s office is leaving,” said Andreas Wagner in his farewell speech.
Brand’s career with the associations began in 1990 as legal counsel for the trade association of serial furniture manufacturers in the skilled trades. In 1991 he was appointed deputy managing director of this association and a year later he was appointed full managing director. In addition to his work for the serial furniture association, from 1995 onwards he also provided legal advice to the collective bargaining associations VHK and the Association of the German Upholstered Furniture Industry (VdDP) and was the managing director for Service GmbH. Since 2020 he has headed the VHK and the Upholstered Furniture and Serial Furniture Association together with Jan Kurth.
In addition to his expertise and the work he did, Klemens Brand will be remembered above all for his practical approach, Wagner explained. “You are a real East Westphalian in the best sense of the word: no frills and straightforward.” Whether in collective bargaining with unions or in day-to-day association business, his honest and pragmatic way of working and his friendly and approachable demeanor have always distinguished him.
Klemens Brand himself looks back on his career with a smile: “I have enjoyed working for the associations and member companies over the years and have accompanied a constantly changing industry that has really grown close to my heart.”
Brand’s successor as head of the legal department is lawyer Dr. Marcus Kondziela. Together with Dr. Martina Kütemann, Johanna Bruckamp and Ralf Fischer, he represents the associations and their members in all legal matters.
