Kärcher chief calls for German reforms and tougher EU trade policy
Hartmut Jenner argues that rising costs and administrative requirements are discouraging investment and job creation in Germany and Europe.
Kärcher chief executive Hartmut Jenner has urged Germany to cut bureaucracy and change labour market rules, while calling on the EU to strengthen its response to unfair trade practices.
Writing in an opinion piece, the head of the German cleaning equipment manufacturer argued that rising structural and labour costs were making additional factories and jobs in Germany and Europe barely viable economically.
His proposals include incentives for overtime, flexible working hours and fewer administrative requirements when hiring skilled workers. He also wants public authorities to support businesses through faster, more pragmatic administration backed by artificial intelligence.
Jenner identified unpredictable US tariff policy and Chinese industrial competition as threats to European companies. He argued that China's subsidies and currency policy distort markets, and called for the EU to enforce trade rules more firmly.
He also questioned forecasts of 1.3 per cent growth for Germany, arguing that government borrowing, defence orders and subsidies were providing an artificial boost rather than a recovery in private investment.
Family-owned Kärcher generated almost €3.5 billion in turnover in 2025, with 86 per cent earned abroad. The company employs 17,000 people worldwide and says more than 1,000 employees work in research and development.
