view from the regions - Deutsch

1
Issue 2 • Summer 2012
The magazine for members of the German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce
Germany Invests
Survey results
SEE PAGE 12
VIEW FROM THE REGIONS
"...a new drive to maximise local
business opportunities..."
Josephine Chexal, Chairperson, German-British
Chamber in North East England
SEE PAGE 4
27-30/10/2012
Hong Kong International Lighting Fair
(Autumn Edition) 2012
Joining the HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting
Fair (Autumn Edition) 2012 places you among the stars
of the industry. In 2011, more than 2,100 exhibitors
from 30 countries and regions made the fair the largest
in Asia, and the second biggest of its kind in the world.
Over 33,000 buyers came from around the world to
source from these exhibitors.
A world class lighting event
Hong Kong is not only a focal point for global trade,
it has its own internationally reputed lighting &
manufacturing industry. The trend towards energysaving lighting is also providing a boost to the lighting
market, with new technologies constantly being
developed and exciting new products coming on line.
The fair makes every effort to reflect industry trends
by outing the focus on key product zones, making
the latest products easily accessible to buyers.
Your contact point for Hong Kong International Lighting
Fair is DEinternational, London in co-operation with
Germany Industry and Commerce Greater China,
Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development
Council.
Major exhibit categories
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hall of Aurora
Commercial Lighting
Household Lighting
LED and Green Lighting
Outdoor Lighting
Lighting Accessories, Parts and Components
Lighting Management, Design and Technology
Trade Services and Publications
Space options
9 sqm Standard Box A
9 sqm Standard Box B
9 sqm Premium Booth
9 sqm DeLuxe Booth
raw space (per sqm)
US$4,725
US$5,094
from US$5,562
US$6,633
US$454
Facts and figures from last event
•
•
•
•
Total number of exhibitors: Number of exhibitors from
outside Hong Kong: Total number of visitors: Number of visitors from
outside Hong Kong: 2,104
1,581
33,319
23,835
Ian Wivell
Tel: 020 7976 4150
Email: hkilf@deinternational.co.uk
Website: www.deinternational.co.uk
For more information: http://hklightingfarae.hktdc.com
contents
initiative
A key achievement of European
Integration has been peace and
prosperity for the last 65 years
The Euro crisis is preoccupying politicians all
over Europe and the world but whatever the
outcome, we should bear in mind that a key
achievement of European Integration
has been peace and prosperity for the
last 65 years. This has been a tremendous
accomplishment which, in my opinion, justifies the huge costs of saving
or restructuring the workings of the Euro. It is important that economic
integration continues, as international trade and investment flows are
a pre-requisite for future growth. Even more importantly, prosperity is a
crucial foundation for a stable political environment overall. The successful
enlargement of the EU to the East after the fall of the Soviet Union not only
enabled these countries to start an economic catch up process but also
created stable democracies in Eastern Europe for the benefit of all.
This summer London is hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, bringing
together athletes from all corners of the globe. The spirit of the Olympics is
one of mutual understanding, peace and respect whilst at the same time
promoting healthy competition. This spirit should be applied not only to
sports but also to the economy, if we want to master the current challenges.
Britain and Germany have long shared similar visions of open, free and
fair markets, knowing only true competition will drive future growth and
development. Of course, this requires everybody to subscribe to the idea
of competition and to the reality that, in order to achieve success, hard
work is necessary as a preparation. If this logic is accepted by all, respect and
mutual understanding, in other words further support, can be more easily
provided. Currently, there is still some work to be done to create this common
spirit and, as long as we do not sing from same hymn sheet, the road ahead
will be bumpy and dangerous. From a British-German angle, we hope that
Britain will step up its political engagement with Europe. Her common sense
approach is surely needed to bring together opinions and make everybody
face reality so the right decisions for the future can be taken.
Dr Ulrich Hoppe
Director General, German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce
CONTENTS
4 View from the regions – Josephine Chexal, North East
England Regional Committee of the German-British
Chamber
6 Chamber & Members' News
7 Chamber Contacts
8 Events Diary
11 Legal Comment
12 Germany invests – survey results
14 BUSINESS TO BUSINESS – German businesses seeking representation
15 Business News & Statistics
Cover photo: Siemens Press Picture, © Siemens AG, Munich/Berlin
sustaining members
3
4 View from the regions
North East England
in a global Europe:
Ambitions for growth
This was the title of a conference held
recently in Newcastle upon Tyne which
marked the start of a new drive to
maximize local business opportunities
by stimulating aspirations in the areas of
inward investment, export-led business
growth and further development of trade
opportunities with European countries.
Keynote speaker was His Excellency Georg
Boomgaarden, Ambassador of the Federal
Republic of Germany. He spoke about the
importance of the “Mittelstand” (medium
sized companies) to the German economy
and how the German regional structure
provided support to such companies,
including through its financial infrastructure.
I was able to bring my own contacts and
experience as German Honorary Consul and
Chair of the North East England Regional
Committee to the table.
The conference was part of a process
of refreshing and revitalizing business
networks following the winding up of the
region’s regional development agency One
NorthEast. One could quote the song “pick
yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over
again” …but not so! Rather onwards and
upwards, because the region is notching
up some notable successes through its
championing of the low carbon economy
and the vehicles sector, part of the regional
economic strategy and in particular, the German
market and German companies are contributing
to these successes.
The North East of England has built up formidable
capacity for the offshore and subsea sectors,
based on deep water ports and riverside sites,
located on former shipyard sites. Coupled with
Tyneside’s proximity to the Dogger Bank offshore
wind programme and the recent designation
of an Enterprise Zone on the North Bank of the
River Tyne with commitment to upgrade the
heavy-lift crane and £80 million of private sector
investment agreed this year, the region’s capability
to service the new offshore wind turbine building
programme cannot be doubted.
Many companies based across the region with
expertise in the cable laying and trenching
sectors are already winning orders, including in
Germany, in the offshore wind technology sector.
CTC Marine Products of Darlington recently
announced a multi-million pound contract for
power cables for the Dolwini project in North
Germany and the new division of Tekmar Energy
of Newton Aycliffe which employs 60 people
won a contract worth £4.5 million from German
energy company Bard. In a bid to showcase
the North East’s expertise in the offshore and
subsea sectors in Germany, the Northern
Offshore Federation Energi Coast plans to take
a mission of North East companies to Hamburg,
Bremerhaven and Bremen in late June to meet
with companies such as Hochtief, Repower, EON
and EnBW before touring the Falck Nutec facility
and attending the Windforce 2012 exhibition
and conference in Bremen.
Josephine Chexal,
Chairperson
In addition, the Narec centre at Blyth,
Northumberland has been designated a
National Translational Research Centre for the
renewables sector, with a wind turbine blade
testing facility and £150 million invested to
date. Siemens Energy of Newcastle opened
their new Training Centre for apprentices
to support their wind turbine facilities and
work closely with Tynemet College, North
Tyneside, one of only three colleges in
England specializing in training in this sector.
The 3.5 year apprenticeship courses include
components of German language training.
A delegation from Berlin-Brandenburg visited
the training facility in April to hear at first hand
about the developments, as part of a project
of exchange of know-how on skills issues
within small and medium sized companies
in Germany and the region. Back to the title
of this article – the North East of England in a
Global Europe – yes, we have “Ambitions for
Growth” and they are not all hot air!
Josephine Chexal, Chairperson
German-British Chamber
in North East England
Chairperson: Josephine V Chexal
Main Industries: Energy & Low Carbon
Technology, Chemicals, Automotive and
Digital Media
Size of region: 5.923 sqm
(9.6 % of UK total)*
Population: 3.1 million (5 % of UK total)*
Regional Gross Value Added (GVA):
48.1 £bn (3.2 % of UK total)*
Export Trade to EU: 5.5 £bn
(4.3 % of UK total)*
*Source: Invest in the UK 2010, German-British Chamber
5
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6 CHAMBER & MEMBERS’ NEWS
Conference and trade mission on
Geothermal Energy — German-British
Chamber organised a conference on
German-British perspectives
On Wednesday 9 May 2012, a conference
on geothermal energy was held at One
Great George Street in London. Organised by the
German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce
and sponsored by the German Federal Ministry
of Economics, around 100 experts from the UK and
Germany shared experiences and discussed potential developments
in the geothermal energy sector in a British-German context.
Topics included the
current status of
the German and
British markets,
the implications
of governmental
incentives such
as the Renewable
Heat Incentive
Company meetings after the conference
on the success of
geothermal energy in the UK, and a market overview on ground
source heat pumps. As part of the initiative “Renewables – Made
in Germany”, five German companies presented their technologies
and know-how in this area. The afternoon was dedicated to
networking with all German companies receiving huge interest from
the British delegates.
Thursday and Friday were reserved for individual meetings for
the German companies with potential British partners in order to
establish business contacts and foster relations.
Continuing this successful project, the German-British Chamber will
organise a further event on solar thermal energy in November 2012.
Please visit www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk for more details.
Lively training session for
Deutsche Bahn/Arriva
Member company bizz
buzz Transcultural
Training & Coaching
delivered a workshop
“Working in Intercultural
Teams” which was part
of a kick-off training
day for teams from
Germany’s Deutsche
Marina Ibrahim during the workshop
Bahn AG and their
British subsidiary Arriva. Among other elements, participants
were challenged with their respective stereotypes in a lively
and thought-provoking way by Marina Ibrahim of bizz buzz.
Interactive exercises helped illustrate the different organisational
approaches of both companies and the understanding of each
other’s cultural diversity. www.bizz-buzz.co.uk
Kirin Kalsi awarded Cross
of the Order of Merit of the
Federal Republic of Germany
Kirin Kalsi, who works as a
lawyer at E.ON’s head office in
Coventry, has been awarded the
Cross of the Order of Merit by
the German Ambassador for her
service as Honorary Consul of the
Federal Republic of Germany in
the Midlands.
Kirin has held the role as German
Honorary Consul for 12 years,
acting as the focal point for
interaction between the two
business communities, a point
of advice and assistance to local
people and businesses with dealings
in Germany, and overall helping to
promote and develop closer ties.
Kirin Kalsi with Tony
Cocker, CEO of E.ON
UK (far left), Dr Ulrich
Hoppe, HE Georg
Boomgaarden and
Christiane Boomgaarden
The English-born lawyer was perfectly suited to her role as
Honorary Consul having been raised and educated in Germany
and then the UK. Her bi-national skills and in-depth knowledge of
international business have helped her to become a key figure in
the Midlands business community.
Weltweit einzigartig: IHB Travel GmbH
eröffnet erstes interaktives Reisebüro
Seit dem 1. April 2012 können sich Kunden in Düsseldorf im weltweit
ersten interaktiven Reisebüro einen realitätsnahen Eindruck von
ihrem nächsten Reiseziel verschaffen. Die IHB Travel GmbH, bisher
vor allem auf Business-Reisen spezialisiert, dehnt mit diesem
neuen Konzept nun auch auf Privatkunden aus. Unter dem Motto
„Reiseplanung zum Anfassen“ können eine Traumschiffkabine, ein
Putting Green oder mithilfe einer 270-Grad-Videokabine das nächste
Feriendomizil virtuell besucht werden. www.ihb-travel.com
Best Service Award
for Pearl Linguistics
For the second time, Pearl Linguistics Pearl Linguistics, the
London-based translation and interpreting agency, have recently
won the “Best Service Award – Small Businesses Award/Third
Sector“ category in the UK Government Opportunities Awards.
This award is seen as the benchmark by which progress in
commissioning, procurement and public service delivery in the
UK can be measured. Pearl’s success was based on the innovative
development of ORBIT™, a free of charge secure translation
management service portal. As well as winning the GO Awards this
year and in 2008, Pearl is one of the few language service providers
to achieve ISO 9001 accreditation. www.pearllinguistics.com
CHAMBER contacts
Experts in customs and indirect tax
litigation join Smith & Williamson
VAT experts Simon Sutcliffe and Martin O’Neill have recently
joined Smith & Williamson as tax directors specialising in customs
and excise duty litigation, proceeds of crime issues and indirect
tax advice. The Customs Investigation and Litigation team is
uniquely placed to offer
specialised, focused expert
assistance in civil and criminal
proceedings and general procedural indirect tax advice when
dealing with HM Revenue & Customs. www.smith.williamson.co.uk/
customs-investigations-and-litigation
London Oktoberfest 2012 moves
to Kennington Park
The famous London Oktoberfest is back. In its first year the event
attracted around 10,000 visitors. This year the party moves to
Lambeth and will take place in a 2,500-seat tent in Kennington
Park from Thursday to Sunday on two consecutive weekends
starting 20 September 2012. Guests will experience an authentic
Bavarian Oktoberfest atmosphere with original live music from
southern Germany, Bavarian food and delicious cold steins of beer.
www.london-oktoberfest.co.uk
Round-up of Chamber events
CHAMBER CONTACTS
Honorary Officers /
Präsidium und Vorstand
Patron / Schirmherr
HE Georg Boomgaarden
Ambassador of the Federal
Republic of Germany
President / Präsident
Sir Nigel Broomfield, KCMG
Vice-Presidents / Vizepräsidenten
George W von Mallinckrodt, KBE
Schroders plc
Barry Stickings, CBE
Councillors / Vorstandsmitglieder
Chairman / Vorsitzender
Alan Wood, CBE
Siemens Holdings plc
Vice-Chairpersons / Stellv. Vorsitzende
Dr Klaus Peter Fouquet
Robert Bosch Ltd
Patricia Godfrey
Nabarro
Councillors / Vorstandsmitglieder
Robert A Bischof
SCCO International Ltd
Markus Breitschwerdt
Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd
Martin Dawkins
Bayer plc
Jean-Louis Evans
TÜV Süd Product Services Ltd
On Thursday 8 March 2012 some 25 members of the Chamber’s
London and Southeast region were treated to a tour of the Olympic
Park in Stratford and given an insight into the depth and planning
of the project. Member company London and Partners sponsored
this excursion and informed visitors of the regeneration plans and
available investment opportunities in the area after the games.
Dr Stefan Georg
Delta Economics
The Scotland region hosted their annual reception on Monday
12 March 2012 in Edinburgh. The event at the Edinburgh
International Conference Centre attracted over 60 people including
Chamber members and invited guests from a cross section of
Scottish business, manufacturing and the arts with special guest
representatives of the German Parliament also attending. Keynote
speaker was Ben Thomson, Chairman of Reform Scotland who is
considered to be one of Scotland’s leading investment bankers.
Franz W Smet
ACI Group Ltd
On Wednesday 14 March 2012 the Midlands region hosted a Spring
Reception at Metro Bar & Grill in Birmingham. Some 60 members
and guests came together to network and to find out about business
opportunities and developments in the region.
Guests at the Chamber's Scotland region annual reception
Dr Ulrich Hoppe
German-British Chamber of
Industry & Commerce
Chris J Maidment
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Marc Starzmann
Commerzbank AG, London
Holger Wessling
DZ Bank AG, London
Nigel R Wood
The Wilkes Partnership
Company Secretary
Chris Putt
Speechly Bircham LLP
Honorary Auditors
PKF (UK) LLP
Management / Geschäftsführung
Dr Ulrich Hoppe
Director General /
Hauptgeschäftsführer
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4110
Thesy Lobitzer
PA to Director General / Assistentin des
Hauptgeschäftsführers
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4112
Finance & Organisation
Sabine Marland
Manager Finance & Organisation /
Finanzen und Organisation
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4120
Karolin Witter
Finance & Organisation /
Finanzen und Organisation
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4187
Marketing Services
Ian Wivell
Deputy Director General / stellv.
Hauptgeschäftsführer
Head of Marketing Services /
Leiter Marketing Services
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4150
Sven Riemann
Manager Marketing Services
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4185
Marguerite McCaughan
Marketing Services
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4183
Jana Lindner
Press & Public Relations /
Presse- & Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4188
Members’ Services
Evelyn Mensah
Manager Membership & Events /
Mitgliedschaft & Veranstaltungen
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4145
Katja Ludwigs
Membership & Events /
Mitgliedschaft & Veranstaltungen
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4146
Legal & Tax Services / Rechtsund Steuerabteilung
Angelika Baumgarte
Deputy Director General / stellv.
Hauptgeschäftsführerin
Head of Legal & Tax / Leiterin der
Rechts- und Steuerabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4140
Ann-Catrin Theisen
Legal Services / Rechtsabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4141
Alexander Altmann
Head of Tax Services / Steuerabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4166
Anja Reeves
Manager Tax Services / Steuerabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4161
Katrin Voran
Manager Tax Services / Steuerabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4154
Michaela Böttcher
Verena Gronewold
Kay Köhnkow
Gunnar Pohl
Tax Services / Steuerabteilung
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4160
For details of the Chamber’s
regional committees please email
members@ahk-london.co.uk
7
XXXXX diary
8 events
SPRING RECEPTION 2012
On 29 March 2012, the Members' Spring Reception was held at the German-British Chamber. Over 130 members and guests
gathered to discuss with business partners and associates both the challenges of the year so far and the opportunities for the
future and to enjoy a variety of German beers. A selection of German wines was sponsored by German Wine Agencies and
original Currywurst was served, sponsored by member company Herman ze German.
Florian Frey of Herman ze German
Azadeh Falakshahi of Herman ze German
Claudia Pech of German Wine Agencies
Mr Tobias Verlende and Dr Julia Petersen of Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH, Mr Stephen Llewellyn of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP and Mr Hans Haenlein
of Hans Haenlein Architects
events XXXXX
diary
Mr Stefan Oloffs of German Language Coach, Mr Christian Bergner and Mr Tarun Mahandru of Pearl Linguistics Ltd
Ms Christine Vial of French Selection UK Ltd, Mr Peter Friend of Hülsta
Furniture (UK) Ltd and Ms Lucie Janson of French Selection UK Ltd
Mr Michael Grünert of mgc (gb) ltd, Ms Anne Bergerbusch of Hülsta
Furniture (UK) Ltd and Mr Felix Köhler of Flexpress Verwaltungs GmbH
Ms Natasha Hayiannis of Language Recruitment Services Ltd, Mr Volker Heinemann of Heinemann & Co Chartered Accountants and Ms Cristina Bartra of
Language Recruitment Services Ltd
9
XXXXX diary / Events Calendar
10 EVENTS
EVENTS
CALENDAR
Thursday, 12 July 2012
M&A Evolution – Discussion on Eurozone issues
A Members’s Breakfast Briefing with Hogan
Lovells International LLP
Venue: Hogan Lovells International LLP, Atlantic House,
50 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2FG
Time: 8.00am – 10.00am
Cost: Complimentary – For members and their guests only
Further information and registration:
www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Ms Anna Schak of the European College of Business and Management
and James Loughridge of Fidelio Partners
IHK-Außenwirtschaftstag NRW
Venue: Westfalenhallen Dortmund,
Rheinlanddamm 200, 44139 Dortmund
Time: 9:30 Uhr – 17:00 Uhr
Further information and registration:
www.ihk-aussenwirtschaftstag-nrw.de/anmeldung/
Thursday 27 September 2012
Members’ Autumn Reception
Venue: German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce,
16 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB
Time: 6.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Cost: Complimentary – For members and their guests only
Further information and registration:
www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Kleinwindkraft im Vereinigten Königreich –
eine Informationsveranstaltung im Rahmen
der Exportinitiative Erneuerbare Energien
Venue: Industrie- und Handelskammer Hannover,
Schiffgraben 49, 30175 Hannover
Time: 9:00 Uhr – 17:00 Uhr
Further information and registration:
www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Exporttag Bayern
Venue: IHK-Akademie München, Orleansstraße 10-12, 81669
München
Time: 9:00 Uhr – 17:00 Uhr
Further information and registration:
www.aussenwirtschaftstag-bayern.de
Mr Dirk Winkhaus of Winkhaus and Mr Peter Lynagh of Lynagh
Associates Ltd
Please see our website for registrations
and updates on events:
www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk
legal comment
Advertise
in initiative
Initiative magazine is the perfect
vehicle to reach decision makers
connected to the German-British
Chamber both here in the UK and
in Germany.
Britische Umsatzsteuer:
Herausforderung für die
Bauwirtschaft
Nicht erst durch die Mitwirkung beim Bau von Spielstätten für
die Olympischen Sommerspiele in London genießt die deutsche
Bauwirtschaft im Vereinigten Königreich einen ausgezeichneten Ruf.
Ob im Gebäudebau oder bei größeren Infrastrukturprojekten wie dem Bau des
Flughafen-Terminals 5 in London-Heathrow – die Qualitätsarbeit deutscher
As well as reaching clients and
partners of the Chamber, the
magazine is read by key people in
government departments, associations and other companies within the
German-British business community.
Bauunternehmen wird geschätzt.
Published three times a year with a targeted circulation of
1,500 you can be sure that your advert will be highly visible
as we restrict advertising space.
You can buy half, quarter and whole pages… or for maximum
exposure, exclusive sponsorship of one issue (members only),
which includes two one-page adverts and a one-page article
(page 11) plus a suitable ‘company picture’ (1/2 page) on the
front cover.
To discuss your advertising needs in detail, please contact:
Jana Lindner
German-British Chamber of Industry
& Commerce
16 Buckingham Gate
London SW1E 6LB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4188
Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 4101
Email: press@ahk-london.co.uk
Nach Erhalt eines Bauauftrags beginnen in der Regel intensive Planungsarbeiten.
Neben den sprachlichen und kulturellen Unterschieden müssen bei Tätigkeiten
im Ausland auch die steuerrechtlichen Besonderheiten beachtet werden.
Eine Bautätigkeit, die einen Zeitraum von zwölf Monaten nicht überschreitet, gilt
nach dem Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen zwischen Deutschland und dem
Vereinigten Königreich nicht als steuerliche Betriebsstätte. Dies hat den Vorteil,
dass die Gewinnbesteuerung zur Körperschaft- oder Einkommensteuer für die
im Vereinigten Königreich ausgeübte Bautätigkeit in Deutschland verbleibt.
Allerdings kann eine Bau- oder Montagetätigkeit unter den Geltungsbereich
der britischen Umsatzsteuer (VAT) und Bauabzugsteuer (CIS) fallen, was eine
Anzeigepflicht bei den britischen Finanzbehörden nach sich ziehen kann.
Trotz der schrittweisen Harmonisierung des europäischen Umsatzsteuerrechts
gibt es zum Teil erhebliche Unterschiede in der Regelauslegung zwischen
den EU-Mitgliedstaaten. Eine für Bauunternehmen wichtige Vorschrift im
Umsatzsteuerrecht ist die Regelung der Steuerschuldnerschaft, die u.a. die
Anwendung des Reverse-Charge-Verfahrens vorgibt.
initiative is the official membership magazine of the German-British Chamber
and is published three times a year.
Publisher:
German-British Chamber
of Industry & Commerce
16 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4100
Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 4101
Email: mail@ahk-london.co.uk
Web: www.ahk-london.co.uk
11
Editorial & Advertising
Jana Lindner
Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4188
Email: press@ahk-london.co.uk
The reproduction in whole or in part of any material published in initiative
requires the prior written consent of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept
any liability for the accuracy or the completeness of any material published in
initiative. Opinions expressed in initiative do not necessarily reflect the views
of the German-British Chamber.
The German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce is supported by the
Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology in accordance with a Resolution
of the German Parliament.
Wer schuldet die Umsatzsteuer?
Das britische Umsatzsteuerrecht sieht die Anwendung des Reverse-ChargeVerfahrens, bei dem die Umsatzsteuer nicht vom leistenden Unternehmer, sondern
vom Leistungsempfänger geschuldet wird, nicht für alle Bauleistungen vor. Ähnlich
wie im deutschen Umsatzsteuerrecht wird auch im Vereinigten Königreich bei
der Ausführung von Bauleistungen zwischen Werkleistungen, bei denen die
Montageleistung im Vordergrund steht, und Werklieferungen, bei denen die
Lieferung von zu verbauendem Material im Vordergrund steht, unterschieden.
Bei Werklieferungen, die z.B. die Lieferung und Installation einer Anlage oder Maschine
vorsehen, findet das Reverse-Charge-Verfahren grundsätzlich keine Anwendung. Die
Umsatzsteuerschuld lässt sich jedoch in bestimmten Fällen auf Antrag mit Hilfe der
„Simplified Procedure“ auf den Empfänger der Werklieferung übertragen.
Für Werklieferungen, die im Zusammenhang mit der Errichtung oder
Erhaltung eines Gebäudes stehen (z.B. die Lieferung und Montage von
Fenstern), und für Werkleistungen, die an Gebäudeteilen ausgeführt werden
(z.B. die Reparatur einer Heizungsanlage), findet das Reverse-ChargeVerfahren hingegen nur Anwendung, wenn der Leistungsempfänger ein im
Vereinigten Königreich ansässiges Unternehmen ist und über eine britische
Umsatzsteuernummer verfügt.
Es ist daher unerlässlich, bereits in der Planungsphase eines Bauvorhabens zum
einen die eigenen Leistungen umsatzsteuerlich korrekt einzustufen, zum anderen
den Status des Auftraggebers zu prüfen. In Fällen, bei denen die Umsatzsteuer nicht
auf den Auftraggeber zu übertragen ist, sollte rechtzeitig eine umsatzsteuerliche
Registrierung bei den britischen Finanzbehörden vorgenommen werden, andernfalls können empfindliche Verspätungszuschläge und Strafzinsen verhängt werden.
Alexander Altmann, Head of Tax Services
12 GERMANY INVESTs
Germany Invests
Trends and Views on Direct Investment by German Companies in the United Kingdom
The German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce promotes trade and investment between the United Kingdom and Germany. As part of this
function, a comprehensive survey about the trends and views of German subsidiaries in the United Kingdom is carried out on a regular basis. The
most recent survey was conducted in 2012.
The survey highlights the current trends in direct investment by German companies in the UK and investigates factors such as turnover, employment
and market focus as well as trends on future developments. In this issue and the next, we will be publishing the results and findings.
I. German subsidiaries in the UK – sectors and activities
I.1 Sectoral distribution of German subsidiaries
Mechanical / electrical engineering, automotive and other
manufacturing still counts for nearly half of all German investment
in the UK. Compared to 2009, all other industries’ shares have
remained broadly stable.
25
I.3 Impact of the current economic downturn
The effects of the economic development since 2009 are still felt by
the German subsidiaries in the UK. However, only 4% state that their
operations have been severely affected whilst over a third of respondents
stated that they have not been affected at all.
Very severely
affected 4%
Positively affected 3%
Not at all
affected 35%
23%
20
15%
10%
3%
3%
1%
Other manufacturing
Tourism
Construction Industry
Energy and utilities
Business services
Wholesale/Logistics
1%
Retailing
Pharmaceuticals
2%
IT and telecommunications
equipment
Automotive
Chemicals and
chemical engineering
Mechanical and
electrical engineering
0
3%
Severely affected
58%
9%
8%
7%
6%
5
9%
Other
10
Financial services
15
I.2 Main activity of German subsidiaries in the UK
Compared to our last survey, the main activities have remained
invariable. A slight shift from services back to sales and distribution
and also manufacturing was noticed.
II. Sales by German subsidiaries
II.1 Total sales by German subsidiaries in the UK
Most companies believe that their sales will grow again within the next
three years.
Sales by subsidiaries total approximately £232 bn p.a. and are four times
higher than German exports to the UK which total circa £56.5 bn. This
suggests that a large amount of local content is sourced or substantial
local value added is produced by German subsidiaries
£240 bn
£232 bn
Sales/
distribution
58%
Services
22%
R&D
2%
Manufacturing 18%
2011
2014
GERMANY INVESTS
II.2 Breakdown of German subsidiaries by sales turnover
II.4 Main markets of German subsidiaries in the UK
Reflecting the company structure in Germany, most of the
subsidiaries in the UK are small and medium sized enterprises. 75%
of the operations have a turnover of less than £50 million. Compared
to our last survey, the larger medium-sized companies seem to have
expanded their operations. This is mirrored in a percentage increase
in the turnover band between £20m and £250m.
The UK market is the main focus of German subsidiaries (more than
one answer was possible). Also, the United Kingdom seems to still be
a base for some German companies to serve their customers in other
markets around the world, especially in Europe.
40
80
35
60
30
50
Main market
Secondary market
40
25
21%
20
11%
20
11%
10
4%
5
Up to 5m
More than More than
£5m and up £10m and
to £10m
up to
£20m
34%
30
14%
10
0
73%
70
39%
15
13
More than
£20m and
up to
£50m
More than
£50m and
up to
£250m
9%
4%
6%
16%
11%
7%
1%
5%
0
UK
Germany
Other Western
Europe
Central &
Eastern
Europe
Rest of the
World
More than
£250m
II.3 Unique selling proposition of German companies in the UK
III. Total Employment created by German
subsidiaries in the UK
Compared to our last survey, German companies focus even more
on quality (56%). Service (21%) and location (2%) have become less
important for the subsidiaries. Only 7% focus on price.
310,000
290,000
Quality
75%
Service
17%
Location 1%
Price 7%
2011
2014
Over the next three years, companies intend to expand their workforce
again in the region of 10%.
German-British Chamber launches new ‘Subsidiaries’ database
The German-British Chamber has recently launched a new
edition of its popular database ‘German Subsidiaries in the
UK & British subsidiaries in Germany’.
Containing in excess of 1,400 subsidiaries in the UK with their
German parent companies and more than 900 subsidiaries in
Germany with their UK parents, this database is both unique and
comprehensive. In total, this new version contains over 4,000
company addresses. The database includes limited (ltd) and
public limited (plc) companies as well as partnerships, branches
and joint ventures.
Where available, the subsidiaries feature the following information:
name, address, telephone and fax number, e-mail, website, contact
persons, number of employees, turnover, year of foundation, type
of company and industrial sector or product/service area. The
database is available on a readily accessible CD-ROM, which allows
the running of specific queries and searches. This feature also makes
it easy to use the database for individual purposes, such as mailings.
For more information and to request an order form, please
contact Jana Lindner, Tel: +44 (0)20 7976 4188 or email press@ahklondon.co.uk.
14 BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
initiative provides a regular listing of companies in both the UK
and Germany who are seeking B2B partners and representatives
Business Partners from Germany / Geschäftspartner aus Deutschland
Jewellery Boxes & Display Stands
Sanitaryware Accessories
We are looking for a sales agent (commission basis) in the area of Great
Britain and Ireland. Our customers are retailers in the jewellery and
watch industries. We manufacture boxes, cases and displays with plants
located in Germany and China. The ideal candidate is a sales agent for
jewellery or watches, who is looking for an additional business and who
will visit jewellery and watch retailers. For further information please
contact Mr Guido Strobel, E. Wilhelm GmbH, Fabrikstrasse 25,
77966 Kappel-Grafenhausen, Germany; Tel: +49782 27690;
Fax: +49782 2769550; Email: guido.strobel@wilhelm-etuis.com;
Web: www.wilhelm-etuis.com
We are a successful, owner-managed company headquartered in
Menden, Germany. Our main focus lies on development production
and distribution of premium taps, cosmetic and illuminated mirrors
and bath accessories for the sanitary market. Therefore we’re looking
for an independent sales agent in the UK. Your main tasks: acquisition
of new customers; networking with existing customers; contact for
property developers, architects, planners and consultants; customer-/
sales meetings; product presentations. For further information,
please contact: Ms Carolin Schulte, SAM Schulte Vertriebs GmbH,
Horlecke 102, 58706 Menden, Germany; Tel:+49 02373 909000;
Fax: +49 02373 9090108; Email: carolin.schulte@sam.de ;
Web: www.sam.de
Perfect Milling, Turning & Drilling
For more than 125 years the name Monforts is synonymous for
machine tools on the highest standard of performance. The
tradition of the company, founded in 1884 secures a high degree
of continuity, flexibility, innovation and new impulses. A. Monforts
Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG manufactures an extensive range
of CNC-controlled turning-lathes – flexible turning centers and twinspindle-lathes, all with a ten year warranty for the wear-free hydrostatic
Z-guide. For further information, please contact: Mr Wolfgang Müller,
A. Montforts Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG, Schwalmstraße
301, 41238 Mönchengladbach, Germany. Tel: +49 2161 9461 448;
Fax: +49 2161 9461 490; Email: Mueller@monforts-wzm.de; Web:
www.monforts-wzm-de www.monforts-wzm.com
Neutralisation of Condensates
Market leader of neutralisers for condensing boilers/ customers like
Viessmann, Vaillant, Buderus, is searching for agents in the heating
industry to distribute our products in Great Britain. Requirements:
favourable references in distribution of condensing boilers, heating
equipment, water treatment or condensate pumps. We offer high
margins with innovative products, easy handling and excellent function
to avoid damage from corrosion within the canalisation. For further
information, please contact: Ms Stefanie Wanner, Mommertz GmbH,
Daimlerstr. 8, 89312 Guenzburg, Germany. Tel. +49/ 8221/ 82 38,
Fax: +49/ 8221/ 38 616, email : stefanie.wanner@mommertz.de,
Web : www.neutrakon.de
Business News / Statistics
Business News
statistics
Britische Regierung forciert
Schulbauinvestitionsprogramm
London (gtai) - Der Schulgebäudebestand im Vereinigten Königreich
gilt als wenig energieeffizient und sanierungsbedürftig. Zudem steigt
infolge geburtenstarker Jahrgänge in vielen Regionen die Nachfrage
nach Schulplätzen. Aus diesem Grund investiert das britische
Bildungsministerium allein im Haushaltsjahr 2012/13 rund 2,2 Mrd. £ in
den Neubau und die Modernisierung von Schulen. Auch die schottische
Regionalregierung will bis 2018 mindestens 60 Schulbauprojekte umsetzen.
+++
British exports 2011
Top countries
+++
Weitere Artikel und Branchen-Trends unter www.gtai.de
+++
10.9%
Germany
7.9%
Netherlands
7.4%
France
6.0%
Irish Republic
5.5%
Belgium & Luxemburg
Britische Regierung sorgt mit
Energiemarktreform für Verunsicherung
London (gtai) - Der Umbau des Energiemarktes im Vereinigten Königreich
nimmt langsam Formen an. Der langerwartete Gesetzentwurf sieht dabei
neue Einspeisevergütungen nicht nur für erneuerbare Energien, sondern
auch für Atomstrom vor. Energieversorger kritisieren die fehlenden Details.
Bereits im Februar 2012 hatten General Electric und Vestas angekündigt,
ihre Pläne zum Bau von Windturbinenwerken auf der Insel vorerst "on
hold" zu setzen. Die Kosten für neue Atomkraftwerke scheinen derweil zu
explodieren.
13.3%
USA
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
British imports 2011
Top countries
12.7%
Germany
9.8%
China
USA
7.2%
Netherlands
7.1%
Norway
6.3%
5.8%
France
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Life costs less in Germany than next door
Consumers in Germany get more for their euros than those in many of
their neighbouring countries, apart from the Czech Republic and Poland.
Germany’s neighbours to the south, north and west have higher cost of
living expenses with Denmark topping the list with prices 42.2 percent
above the EU average. In comparison, prices in Germany were lower than
in other neighbouring countries, such as France (10.7%) and Austria (6.7%).
Still, the price level in Germany was 3.4 percent higher than the average
for the 27 EU member countries. (TheLocal.de)
+++
BMW expands green venture with Toyota
Germany’s BMW is expanding a tie-up with Toyota Motor on hybrid and
fuel-cell vehicle technology as the global automakers push further into
the “green” market. It marks the first time that Japan’s top car manufacturer
will supply its fuel-cell technology, which relies on hydrogen to supply a
vehicle’s battery, to a rival. BMW meanwhile will provide its expertise on
light car bodies made from carbon fibre to Toyota. Under an earlier deal
announced last year, the German automaker also agreed to provide diesel
engines for Toyota as the Japanese firm looks to boost sales in Europe.
(TheLocal.de)
+++
More Business News from Germany:
TheLocal.de
This section is provided in
co-operation with Germany
Trade & Invest and TheLocal.de.
German exports 2011
Top countries
9.6%
France
7.0%
USA
6.7%
China (inc. Hong Kong)
Netherlands
6.5%
UK
6.2%
5.9%
Italy
0
2
4
6
8
10
German imports 2011
Top countries
Netherlands
9.1%
China (inc. Hong Kong)
9.0%
7.4%
France
Italy
5.4%
USA
5.4%
5.0%
UK
0
2
4
6
8
10
15
r
u
o
y
e
t
s
a
w
…
e
t
Don’t
s
a
w
n
o
time
Looking for advice and assistance with your environmental
compliance in Germany?
The German-British Chamber can help British exporters with:
packaging waste compliance
certificate of completeness audits (VE)
the deposit scheme for drink containers
waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) compliance
battery compliance
•
•
•
•
•
We work with many schemes and systems to ensure our clients have
the most suitable and cost-efficient contracts in place that fit with
their needs and obligations.
So don’t waste your time, come to the experts for a complete service.
Visit www.germanbritishchamber.co.uk for more information or
contact Ian Wivell – recycling@ahk-london.co.uk / tel: 020 7976 4150.