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about HDH |
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The HDH (Hauptverband der Holz und Kunststoffe verarbeitenden Industrie) is the head association of the German woodworking and plastic industries with special associations, regional associations and confederacy associations as members.
The largest special association in the HDH is the VDM (Verband der Deutschen Möbelindustrie), the association of the German furniture industries, which himself is a head association with special and regional associations as its members. Both associations are non-profit-organisations. The substantial four legs of the German woodworking industries are, apart from the furniture industry, the build near range (from the prefabricated constructions to the windows), the wood-based industry (from the particle boards to the plywood boards) and the other special lines, which, as for example the piano industry and the bonded wood construction, have a world-wide reputation. The total turnover of the industries represented by HDH reached about 39 billion € in 2008, 20 billion € of those for the furniture industry. There are about 200.000 people employed in these industries.
Scope of Duties
The primary task of HDH and VDM is to look after the economical, political and technical interests of the German woodworking- and furniture industry against the politics, the trade unions and the public. HDH and VDM is the contact organisation for the companies in their sectors. International contacts and meetings with European economical associations, for example for the matter of wages policy or technical and ecological questions are cultivated permanently and with high intensity and knowledge. Public relations is the second important task for the two associations.
Challenges to the Industry
Especially in Germany, most manufacturing businesses have to contend with high personnel and personnel supplementary costs. It is therefore a severe challenge for the industrial region Germany to remain competitive in international terms. We have to appreciate and purposefully reinforce the advantages of our geographical position, by bringing its unique characteristics to the fore. It is especially here that we can manufacture our products through design and particularly through innovation as an elementary distinguishing criterion, and from here we can put them on the market. We have the necessary professional know-how, a highly qualified and highly motivated work force, excellent suppliers, competent marketing departments and efficient logistic services.
During the years to come, in the heart of Europe, and with our image “Made in Germany” that is respected and admired worldwide, the woodworking and furniture industry can confidently offer its products to the customers and the markets. The customers will be thankful for the opportunity, because they have had enough of so-called “cheap products” – they have now realised that their quality of life cannot consist of bargain prices. They will seek for true values, and they will discover them in our products.
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