Interviewed by
Caspar Busse and Elisabeth Dostert
Karl Haeusgen, 57, is rarely at a loss for open words. Born in Munich, he was elected President of the Association of German Mechanical and Plant Engineering (VDMA) for four years in October 2020. He speaks for one of the most important branches of industry, which has around one million employees in Germany alone. Haeusgen is also the majority shareholder of the Bavarian hydraulics manufacturer Hawe, the company with sales of half a billion euros has around 2,600 employees.