Steffen Kampeter, General Manager of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations, spoke at the summer party of the wood and furniture industry associations. The event also marked a farewell to Klemens Brand, the long-standing head of the legal department and managing director.
'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. Together with General Manager Jan Kurth, he welcomed around 120 guests yesterday evening on the terrace of the Marta Café in Herford. The good turnout was seen as a sign of solidarity within the industry.
Steffen Kampeter, the keynote speaker, 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," he said. Kampeter emphasized that 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.
Kampeter praised the economic structure in East Westphalia-Lippe, saying, 'You just have to let us do what we want.' He urged 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.' He highlighted the need for better compatibility of family and work, an education system in line with contemporary needs, and the reduction of bureaucratic hurdles.
The reduction of bureaucracy was also a topic in the subsequent discussion round, which included member of the state parliament Bianca Winkelmann (CDU), 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 became the 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, Klemens Brand will be remembered for his practical approach. 'You are a real East Westphalian in the best sense of the word: no frills and straightforward,' Wagner said. Whether in collective bargaining with unions or in day-to-day association business, Brand's honest and pragmatic way of working and his friendly and approachable demeanor have always distinguished him. Reflecting on his career, Brand himself said, 'I have enjoyed working for the associations and member companies over the years and have accompanied an industry that is constantly changing and that has really grown on me.'
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 will represent the associations and their members in all legal matters.
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