NEWS: Mr Kraler, are you a winner in the climate crisis, going by the hot summer months we have had recently?
The climate crisis is naturally affecting our business. We are definitely profiting from this – even if we don't feel it at the moment because the economic crisis is overshadowing many other issues. You can clearly notice the purchasing reticence in people, both in Germany and in Austria. Nothing new is being built.
Do you sometimes feel uneasy looking at the economic figures?
These are exciting times for a manager. Uncertainty in planning is something that we deal with every single day. That’s because we just don't know where we are headed - even when it comes to investments. As a family-owned business, we think in terms of generations and try to invest counter-cyclically. When things start to look positive again - whenever that may be -, we want to be prepared in advance.
How long can a medium-sized company survive in times like these?
Of course, one has to adapt. I can't say that I'm moving ahead with the team I built two years ago. That won't work. One has to adapt - even to the duration of this phase. Reserves are one thing; but the actual thing is to move ahead and generate growth. The challenge here is the massive increase in labour costs.
If you could do what you wanted: What would you do?
I would reduce non-wage labour costs and strengthen the business location. Small and medium-sized enterprises are responsible for ensuring our prosperity - and they must be supported. I'm not a fan of watering can actions. Individual measures are required. For example: At our headquarters in Abfaltersbach, we produce more energy than we consume through our own hydroelectric power plant, a photovoltaic system and participation in a biomass heating plant. This means we are not dependent on energy prices; rather, we are self-sufficient in energy.
How confident are you that something will happen?
Nothing is going to happen. There is far too much squabbling and political calculation behind the scenes for something to happen. On the other hand, I have to say: Austria as a location also has its advantages. We have had a stable government on the whole in recent years. Legally, the situation is clear. When it comes to labour law, I am in a much more comfortable situation compared to Germany - as regards the companies and also as regards the employees. These are the location factors that help.
What does it mean for a company when nothing happens?
It means that we will increase the prices - and ultimately, this will affect the end customer. This means that we ourselves are indirectly driving inflation again, because we will be raising prices to safeguard our results. This is not about generating excessive profits, but simply safeguarding results.
Productivity in the country is also a cause for distress - Keyword, part-time work debate ...
As a company, we must ensure that things continue to improve. By involving our employees, explaining what is necessary - and promoting this cooperation. It is no longer enough to say: “The other person has to fix it for me.” We have a lot in our own hands.
How much patience do you have with the government's economic policy?
I can't change it much. I can grumble in private, of course, and try to convey my criticism to the relevant representatives. But there are many larger companies that have a completely different impact and power to change things. We try to advance our matters on a small scale. If we were to rely on politics, we would be abandoned. In Germany, the government is aware of what it needs to do to stimulate the economy again. At least that's my understanding. Because one thing is clear: If the construction industry suffers, we will have an economic problem in the long term. There are simply too many people employed in the construction and ancillary construction industries for that to be the case.
Quality comes at a price, as they say. Where is the line - and who draws it?
The market sets the limit. If it is too expensive or the quality is not up to par any more, the market will regulate itself. At the same time, it depends on this approach: Am I building in such a way that it will only last for the warranty period? Then I don't need to hang anything in front of the window. But we want to make products that will be useful for many years - not just last for three years and then be replaced. Such a “disposable business” would ignore the customer and be unsustainable.
You continue to remain in a small location. Why?
We have also acquired other locations. However, we do not want to relocate our headquarters in Abfaltersbach in East Tyrol. This is our centre, our cosy world. We are firmly established in this area; the only company with its headquarters here in Lienz district. This gives us a unique position in the local labour market.
You are in favour of immigration. How much resistance do you face?
Targeted immigration is needed, but with full integration; especially about language. Integration is impossible without language. At our East Tyrol location, we employed people of 30 different nationalities at peak times. So we are quite open-minded. But the general public needs to be more open-minded. Of course, events such as violent crimes are harmful because they reinforce prejudices. And that makes the issue very populist.
Why do you take a laid-back view of this issue?
Because I see it as the only way. Automation will help here and there, but not everywhere. There is a lack of honesty in dealing with the issue. One pushes the ball to the left, the other to the right. A clear commitment to immigration would be a commitment to Austria as a location.
Your father makes his rounds through the business every day. What do you think of that?
It’s good. He is the grey eminence - on one hand - and at the same time the integrator par excellence. I travel a lot, he takes care of internal matters. Sometimes we disagree. But when we leave the room, we always agree beforehand. I have a different personality type. The times when he built the company were different. Nowadays, we seek many more opinions so that we can have broader acceptance.
They say HELLA was always strongest when times were turbulent. When do you have doubts?
One always wonders whether one is doing everything right, making the right decisions. When all crises strike at once - wars, economic crisis -, then one wonders: What will happen now? Mainly because you cannot predict how long it will last. When the outcome is uncertain, it is important to pull together in crisis mode. When things got tough, we pulled together and made the best of it.
Where does your optimism come from?
That is a fundamental attitude. I want to radiate optimism - even if things aren't always perfect.
What would be your message to the next generation?
Stay grounded, be optimistic, and help each other.