WDM Deutenberg: Wolfshagen plans expansion on the European market!

WDM Deutenberg: Wolfshagen plans expansion on the European market!

In Wolfshagen, the company WDM Deutenberg recently made headlines. With an annual processing of 22,000 tons of steel and a workforce of around 100 employees at the Wolfshagen location, the company is entering a new dimension on the European market. Not only is the location safe, but active steps are being taken to address the challenges of skills shortages. On July 10th, District Administrator Christian Müller (SPD) visited the plant to personally find out about the conditions and challenges there, such as the search for a successor in the company and the current personnel shortage.

WDM Deutenberg, which has its headquarters in Wolfshagen, employs a total of 275 people at three locations in Wolfshagen, Ense and Leisnig. The company is a leading provider of individual wire mesh solutions in Europe, which are used in animal husbandry, warehouse logistics and the food industry. The production processes are extensive and include both mechanical and manual work steps, with ongoing investments in modernized technology planned to further increase efficiency.

Skills shortage in focus

The challenges in acquiring skilled workers should not be underestimated. The transport connections and the public transport situation make it difficult for WDM Deutenberg to attract urgently needed employees. District Administrator Müller emphasizes the need to improve the public transport situation in the Prignitz region in order to make the location more attractive for skilled workers. This problem is not just limited to Wolfshagen, but affects the entire country. According to that BMAS skilled worker monitoring The labor market is characterized by various bottlenecks, which can be further exacerbated by demographic change and geopolitical situations. It is estimated that the workforce will continue to shrink in the coming years, despite immigration efforts and a higher propensity to work.

Particular attention is paid to young talent. WDM Deutenberg currently has three trainees in the company, and three more are planned for the fall. These initiatives are crucial considering that around 618,000 people without qualifications will enter the labor market in the next five years, while only 396,000 assistant positions will become available. Here the company is required to address school dropouts and especially people of foreign nationality and to integrate them through targeted training measures.

EU commitment to combating the shortage of skilled workers

At the European level, demographic change is also taken very seriously. The The EU Commission has initiated a new mechanism for promoting talent to manage the demographic transition. The aim is to support regions in training and retaining skilled workers. Vice-President Dubravka Šuica stressed that without effective measures, the EU's competitiveness would be at risk.

In addition, private household consumption is seen as the main driver of economic growth. Technologies that support structural change through digitalization and decarbonization are essential in this context. The coming challenges will therefore continue to be the focus in order to sustainably strengthen the economy.

In order to secure the prospects of companies like WDM Deutenberg, it remains necessary not only to invest in trainees, but also to improve the general conditions at the location. The upcoming oneBrandenburg Day in Perleberg(September 12th to 14th) will provide a platform to show innovations and market presence and promote dialogue about the challenges in the skilled sector.