How Europe's economy remains successful

Trumpf SE + Co KG offers manufacturing solutions in the fields of machine tools, laser technology, electronics and networked industry. Over the last 100 years, the family business has developed from a mechanical workshop into a leading global company for machine tools and laser technology with an annual turnover of more than 4 billion euros. For Peter Leibinger, this success can be attributed to four factors: "We have a broad technological base. We sometimes have competing technologies in-house and feed them in parallel, because that gives us objectivity". Added to this is the company's willingness to take risks, the depth of its product development and its targeted long-term planning. In addition to all these predictable factors, luck also plays a role, Leibinger remains modest.

for Jochen Borenich and K-Businesscom (KBC), the ability to adapt coupled with entrepreneurship is important and promising: "New things are created and with them new opportunities. These opportunities for change must be seized," explains the KBC CEO. According to Borenich, the Austrian company has changed many times since it was founded 130 years ago. One constant of the company and its DNA is its focus on communication - from Morse code devices to today's challenge of the data economy.

in terms of the global economy, there are also unanswered questions about Europe's self-sufficiency and independence: Leibinger and Borenich advocate interdependence with other world markets in order to create a balance in the power structure. "The decisive factor is not so much what we lack, but what we can bring to the common table of world markets. If we bring our own share, we can also get the things we lack. But if we offer nothing at all, we will be left behind," explains Leibinger.

Both guests agree on one thing: "Europe is the place to be." Even though the two companies have their origins in Germany and Austria, their business transcends national borders. "80% of "Trumpf" products are sold outside Germany. How the products bring about change for the customer and enable a sense of achievement is probably our best advertising," explains Leibinger. In addition, there is a form of internationalization that is more than just business acumen and the knowledge of how to export efficiently. The attitude of the employees is a decisive factor here.

So what are Europe's opportunities in the coming years? "In my view, Europe's opportunity is Europe itself," emphasizes Leibinger. "The world wants to live here. That is a huge opportunity for us. Basically, we have to be a supplier to the world, as we already are in many ways for important building blocks, systems and software," summarizes Leibinger. Europe does not need to position itself broadly, but rather focus on specific segments. There needs to be a mental shift from concepts of state faith to a common, European entrepreneurial spirit. Jochen Borenich adds to the thoughts of the CTO of Trumpf SE + Co. KG: "It is up to us to seize the opportunities - and not to save on the future".