6 November 2019, 10:41
The CECE #OpenFactory project continues as the lead initiative to bridge the gap between policy-makers and industry.
On 25th October, MEP Axel Voss visited the Ammann road-compaction facility in Hennef, Germany. Hosted by former CECE President and MD at Ammann Verdichtung Bernd Holz, MEP Voss was also welcomed at the facility by CECE Secretary General Riccardo Viaggi.
After a company presentation and a very interesting dialogue on European industrial competitiveness and what industrial policy can do about it, MEP Voss was guided through the factory floor by Bernd Holz and the company’s COO Thomas Frenzel.
The visit took place with a very thorough hands-on approach by the host of Ammann and MEP Voss showed great interest for issues such as component sourcing, innovation and safety and commercial competitiveness of the company and the sector.
Once back from the factory floor, a few key topics were addressed in an atmosphere of constructive dialogue.
The main topic of discussion was the E-privacy regulation. Indeed, MEP Voss is the EPP Rapporteur on this particular piece of legislation at the European Parliament. CECE made him aware of the recent joint letter signed by several industry associations calling for a rethink and the withdrawal of the proposal by the new Commission.
While supporting the idea of a complete rethink and recalling the negative vote by his party to the E-privacy Parliament report, he insisted that it’s up to the Council to come up with a negotiating position. He anyway shared his opinion that certain MS in Council should breath some sense into their position if the EU really is serious about the digital industrial transformation.
Axel Voss concluded the visit by asking CECE and its member companies to always provide him and other policy-makers with information. According to his words, this is the only way towards a fact-based policy-making that is fit for the manufacturing industry in Europe.
Source: CECE