Didn’t Corona always dominate? And Corona was not the cause for everything: Even if the pandemic also shaped the economy in Mainfranken in 2021, other topics also determined economic life in the region. A shortage of skilled workers, a lack of raw materials and individual parts, a lack of data security – such headlines made the rounds. A look back at the lows in 2021.
1st low point: There is a lack of material everywhere
The shortage of semiconductors and many other individual parts will paralyze the German economy in 2021. In addition, there is a lack of wood and other building materials in the craft. In Main Franconia, for example, ZF in Schweinfurt is feeling this massively: The auto supplier will cut the working hours of its 9,000 employees from November. The furniture dealers are also under stress: Among other things, WM kitchens in Frammersbach (Lkr. Main-Spessart) are forced to deliver semi-finished goods.
2nd low point: data theft at the pipe works and Tegut
At the end of March there was great excitement at the Fränkische Rohrwerke in Königsberg (district of Haßberge) and a few weeks later at the grocer Tegut: Criminals had paralyzed the company’s IT systems and are now demanding a ransom. Cyber attacks of this kind are becoming ever more numerous and dangerous across the country. Rohrwerke and Tegut only get the consequences under control after many days. How high the damage is remains unclear.
3rd low point: Mainfranken trade fair is shipwrecked
It was deliberately a risk on the part of the organizers: Despite the long-term uncertain corona regulations by politicians, the organizer AFAG will hold the Mainfranken trade fair in Würzburg at the end of September. 62 percent fewer visitors than at the 2019 trade fair, half as many exhibitors: At the end of the day, the numbers speak a clear language. The largest and traditional sales show in Mainfranken is heading towards an uncertain future.
4th low point: tourism is waning
Speaking of gastronomy: in Mainfranken in 2021 it will suffer from the fact that many tourists do not stay overnight. The bookings are generally not that bad, but compared to the time before Corona, the number of overnight stays by domestic guests has decreased by 75 percent in some places. So it is not surprising that a hotel manager from the Haßberg region says, for example: “I don’t think it will ever be the same as it used to be.”
5th low point: The name Kupsch disappears
In October it is like a side note: all Kupsch grocery stores will soon be called Edeka. Reprehensible? Behind the news is much, much more, at least for nostalgics and critics of centralization, as Kupsch is a name with tradition in Mainfranken. The critics of the critics believe that Kupsch disappears from the map as the daughter of Edeka is overdue. Edekas Nordbayern boss Sebastian Kohrmann justifies the step with the economic zeitgeist.
6. Low point: wind energy in the doldrums
While solar parks in Mainfranken will cause discussions in 2021, the use of wind energy in the region is more and more sidelined. With just a few fingers you can count how many systems have been built there in recent years. 10H rule, resistance in the population, protection of species: the reasons for the doldrums are diverse. To make matters worse, the 20-year EEG subsidy for many wind turbines will come to an end at the turn of the year.
7th low point: bumper crop turns into a shot to the rear
Actually, good news: the weather will bring farmers in the region a record harvest of vegetables in 2021. But the quantities of carrots, for example, are so abundant that the farmers have problems getting rid of them. Some plow down parts of the harvest. Others come up with clever ideas to bring the carrots to the people after all. Nevertheless, there is no satisfaction in Main Franconia.
Which should also be mentioned and which has implications
Mainfranken’s economy has also lost great personalities in 2021. Rolf Lauer died in April at the age of 68. For many years he had been the general manager of the Chamber of Crafts for Lower Franconia.
Dieter Schäfer was also long-serving managing director. For the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) Würzburg-Schweinfurt, he campaigned, among other things, for in-company education. Schäfer died at the end of May at the age of 93.
Koenig & Bauer AG in Würzburg mourned Reinhart Siewert: The former CEO of the printing machine group died in July at the age of 83. Siewert had also made a name for herself as a swimming coach.
Because of her visions as a business woman, Eva Maria Roer became known beyond the Bad Kissingen district. The multiple award-winning entrepreneur died in December. She was 77 years old.
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