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23/07/2020

The second wave is guaranteed to happen

The following case is from my circle of acquaintances: a mother, son (22) and daughter (14) live together in one household....

The following case is from my circle of acquaintances: a mother, son (22) and daughter (14) live together in one household. The son goes on holiday to Croatia - the clubs are open there and parties are held. PARTY, PARTY! They returned last Tuesday, and there is no regulation for a test or quarantine. He feels perfectly healthy. He works in a hospital, so when he returns he will be tested, standard and is - Covid-19 negative. Of course, this is only until the hospital remembers two days later that they have mixed things up: he is actually positive. The decision came this Monday. Now he has to stay home for 14 days. The mother also has the right to be tested. The result on Tuesday: she is also positive, and has been ordered a quarantine of 14 days.

It's Thursday. The official figures for our district have not changed for days. The positive tests don't seem to show up in the statistics, or we're still in the stone age here and it takes days to do so.

Now dont forget, the daughter also lives in the household. I bet she'd test positive, too. What does the health department say? She doesn't need a test because the quarantine applies to the entire household anyway, so her test result wouldn't matter. Excuse me? Is this supposed to save money? Don't we want real numbers? The daughter was in Frankfurt this past weekend. PARTY, PARTY! Did she call her friends and warn them? No, it would be embarrassing. Anonymously she could do it on a Corona app, which is a great system. Does she have a Corona warning app? No. And if she does, she can only report »positive« if she can read the code from the test results. But she won't get it, because whether she's »positive« or not is up to our healthcare system - SO WHAT. So nobody is warned. By the way, the health department has confirmed to me by telephone that this is exactly how it's done.

Sloppiness is obviously the order of the day, by the way. A friend of mine wanted to get herself tested in Munich. After a two-hour wait at the test center, she left again, no more time. Two days later the call: shes positive. But she wasnt tested at all! Unbelievable.

I really wonder how this is going to continue. Of course, half the country's youth will be coming back from their holiday somewhere in the next few months. Many without symptoms, of course, but certainly some with the virus. Because the youth are going on holiday specifically to touch each other. They don't go on an everyone-keep-your-distance holiday, and often go specifically to the countries with the most relaxed lifestyle. Germany has endless testing capacities: a small smear test after arrival in Germany would not take but a minute, and hours later a result could ensure that one's environment is also tested or at least warned. But all this is not done. And I cannot blame the youth for wanting to party.

A lockdown at the expense of the economy is not a problem for the nation, but mandatory tests upon entry are apparently a problem, because the government would have to pay for them. So we are heading with full force toward a second wave. That's great for the politicians, who can then make their mark again.

27/05/2020

Football and personal management

I am a fan of Eintracht Frankfurt, whether they are in the first or second Bundesliga, and I never miss a game....

I am a fan of Eintracht Frankfurt, whether they are in the first or second Bundesliga, and I never miss a game. Yesterday, Frankfurt "lost" 3:3 against Freiburg with 35:10 goal kicks. How can something like that happen? Eintracht has a highly praised management, and the players have had weeks for individual training. The coaches could also ponder the situation.

So I take the time and work on my shortcomings as a player. Let's take Mijat Gacinovic as an example, a very likeable guy whom the fans love, at least since his goal run at the cup win, and because he plays team-oriented, has a great overview and doesn't duck away, even when forming a wall. What he takes for the club is enormous. But when he, with a few exceptions, makes a shot on goal, the defenders might as well go and play somewhere else. Because the ball will go next to the goal or be shot directly into the goalkeeper's arms.

I'm sure hes aware of that. But you could have come up with the idea yourself, or as a coach, during the Corona break: Hey, for the next eight weeks you do nothing else but shoot at a goal wall, because you can already do everything else. You could also simulate stress situations. And when you hit eight out of ten, then you can play again.

A Danny da Costa, for example, also a crowd favorite, has his problems with flank shooting. Thats something that can be learned, that's "only" technique. Improve weaknesses. Doesn't anyone tell him that? I can think of enough other examples now, but were talking about a matter of principle.

Moving on. If I as a coach have the toughest defender in the top European leagues, namely Martin Hinteregger, shouldn't we consider whether he would be better off in the attack if the other forwards dont score? Maybe he's not fast enough for that, but Alex Meier hasn't won any races either. Like Martin Hinteregger, however, he has the shooting technique down pat and is a master of positional play in front of goal. That's more than what our other forwards bring to the table.

People from this age group in my company also come up to me and ask what they need to improve in order to make the same money as XYZ. What kind of training should I do? I imagine that even a soccer player will be asked by his child or wife why he only makes one million a year and not twenty, like Ronaldo? Eintracht Frankfurt can then no longer afford such players. So, does the club have an interest in keeping the players at a lower level of performance? No, of course not, you also want to sell players at a high price, so individual weaknesses have to be eliminated.

Whether the boys ask their boss, or perhaps their advisor, or their fans instead, they could definitely find out what the problem is and then work on it. Some people say: Aww, the players are "fat" enough. I don't think so. It's very hard to get into the first Bundesliga, they still have to train anyway, then practice what they have to improve on. Every young person needs somebody who tells him the flat-out truth, at least professionally. Regardless if you play in the Bundesliga or work in wholesale.

If, in the end, it is up to your psyche, you can also be helped there. Is it objectionable to seek help to deal with weaknesses? I'd say not.

The Corona period in particular was a huge opportunity for footballers to improve themselves individually. In the case of Eintracht Frankfurt this was unfortunately missed out on. Maybe you can think about it during summer break. And then next time win against Freiburg, please, 35:3, thank you! Oh no, in my mind Martin Hinteregger is missing from the defense, then 35:6, I'll take that too. Let's go!

15/03/2020

What the economy needs now!

Many governments are announcing financial aid, the floodgates are being opened and infrastructure projects should protect against the damage caused by the Corona...

Many governments are announcing financial aid, the floodgates are being opened and infrastructure projects should protect against the damage caused by the Corona virus.

State-owned business development banks, local banks.. this could all be too slow and too late for some. Companies, whether large and small, are doing everything they can to protect their employees. But it's also about keeping the business running. At Jarltech, we have a pandemic plan in place that is asking a lot of all of us. But, and I'm sure we are not the only ones, our employees are also involved. Big time!

What the EU or the individual countries should do now - and immediately - is:

1. The large credit insurers must freeze their credit limits for customer deliveries at the level it was as of March 10th, 2020, and in return receive back-up from the ECB or the countries. After all, if the insurers will now haircut across entire countries or sectors again, then in many cases we can no longer deliver. And that is exactly what credit insurers do every time there is a little cough. I think we are on the verge of this.

2. Providing funds through state-owned banks takes too long and is too bureaucratic. If the phantom is supposed to last another five weeks, lets say, then its important that payment terms are adhered to and that debits work. So the countries, or the ECB, should simply obligate the banks (with a national guarantee, of course) to increase all working capital credit lines approved on March 10th, 2020 by 30%. With this you usually impact companies that are currently healthy, because, after all, they have had their credit lines approved. The sum will be huge, because the increase will also be granted to companies, such as ourselves, who probably do not need the money at all. But if we do not use this additional liquidity at all, then the government also has zero risk in these cases.

3. It is imperative that the free delivery of goods in European continues remains possible. We are all interlinked and need things from each other.

4. School children, who now have »off« prematurely, should be told clearly that this is not a holiday and be asked not to take the bus or train to bars and discos. Not even during the Easter holidays, because we have a special situation on our hands. It's no use if we all isolate ourselves, but the kids are in a party mood, sharing bottles and joints. No, we're not on »Corona holidays«. We have an emergency here. You're endangering old people and the healthcare system!

5. Politicians are hammering out one employee-friendly regulation after another. Free time for child care, sick leave by phone for 14 days, if you are afraid, you don't have to go to work - that's all good and the right thing to do. But we have to catch up later, the Chinese are showing us that perfectly. There are 14 Saturdays in the fourth quarter on which Europe is working. We should all restrict ourselves and show solidarity. But please, really all of us. And I bet that employees will see very clearly how the employers are making an effort and would have no problem at all with such an arrangement. That would also be another signal to everyone that we all have to behave responsibly now, because we all (!) have to pay for the downtime somehow. So far, privately, we all can't help that the pandemic is here - but slowly the point has been passed where we can now point our fingers at the people who live as if nothing had happened.

6. Let's stop with the infrastructure projects. Even now, retailers can hardly find or pay for construction companies or handymen. These industries are working at full capacity. If they get a forced break imposed on them now, plus additional government projects, the rest of the world can forget finding handymen or construction companies in the next few years.

7. Why should processes be postponed? If we can buy 100 liters of disinfectant from our pharmacy on one day - yes, they have it again - then perhaps a court can do the same. And there you sit far enough apart from each other anyway.

I wish all my readers: stay healthy! And don't let anyone look at you funny if you are more careful than others. Thats not »uncool«, but rather, totally cool.

13/03/2020

Corona defense at Jarltech

The Department of Public Health has described our concept as »exemplary«, and I receive many inquiries about how we do this....

The Department of Public Health has described our concept as »exemplary«, and I receive many inquiries about how we do this. This is really not a trade secret, and perhaps it will help some of you contribute in delaying the infection.

- Our departments are (as much as possible) separated into freshly set-up home offices and presence in the company (with fewer people per room). The Sales department is even divided into three home offices and two office work areas.

- All office floors, the Technical department and the warehouse are divided into five individual insulation sections with no exchange of people, each with its own bathrooms, an assigned smoking area and coffee break area.

- Logistics works in two fixed shifts, with a break in between for the disinfection of equipment and work areas, and so that the shift workers do not meet.

- Employees who have to enter more than one area work with gloves.

- Disinfectants are available everywhere. By the way, there are enough disinfectants available for purchase again, since pharmacies are now allowed to produce them themselves with industrial alcohol. (So don't look in the drugstore or buy overpriced on the internet.)

- There is compulsory hand washing when starting work, a request for frequent hand washing with soap and washing instructions in the bathrooms.

If you separate shifts or departments, please also pay attention to which employees may live together or even be a couple. There is no point in separating departments and then exchanging viruses at night.

If an area is blocked because of a Corona case, the other part can then step in. In case this becomes difficult, negatively tested people they have come in contact with can continue to work with a protective mask, in case of doubt.

The employees are of course asked not to travel, to minimize social contacts, to call in sick at the slightest doubt, and not to shake hands. Meetings that cannot be avoided must be conducted with plenty of space between the participants.

Naturally, all these measures limit us a lot, and the loss of comfort is not nice. Everyone has to participate, not just in the company but also privately. That's asking a lot. But thats secondary, because we want to keep our employees healthy for as long as possible, continue operations without interruption, and also help to extend the time until the Corona virus infestation.

We hope that we will be successful with these precautionary measures.

06/03/2020

Supply Chain and Corona Time

We receive enquiries about the status of our supply chain around the clock. Therefore, its time to make a statement. The answer is: a limited all-clear....

We receive enquiries about the status of our supply chain around the clock. Therefore, its time to make a statement. The answer is: a limited all-clear. Naturally, we are constantly in contact with our suppliers and forwarding agents. The most important manufacturers have informed us in writing that production is at least »almost« back to full capacity. That's nice, but of course parts from sub-suppliers could be missing and the supply chain gets thrown askew. But this all only concerns China. Trump has brought us some »good luck« here, because thanks to the imposed tariffs, our suppliers have already largely moved their production from China to other countries. Not only because of the imposed tariffs - but also because of the rising labour costs - production in China is apparently considered a »luxury« nowadays.

As far as China is concerned, we are well informed, since we have 30 employees there. In the meantime, business at Jarltech China is back to normal again. The Chinese have decided to be cautious, but not to let their economy be taken away out of fear. Nevertheless, turnover there leaves a lot to be desired.

Another stroke of good luck is that in January we decided to increase our inventory by another 20 million euros. This means that our inventory is now higher than ever before and easily covers two months. Of course, some of the devices are missing because of the Corona situation. But there are almost always alternative products.

Unfortunately, we also have panic shopping. No, nobody has decided to use receipt rolls or labels instead of sold-out toilet paper, yet. Some big end customers simply want to ensure their roll-outs by ordering from stock rather than just-in-time. Some competitors are also trying to buy our stock via front men, but we defend ourselves against any cause for suspicion.

Our import forwarding agents also warn about slightly increased delivery times. A lot of goods are now flown instead of being shipped by sea - but since there are hardly any passenger flights to Asia anymore, there is less cargo space in the passenger planes. However, delays of up to one week at most are expected here.

Apart from the supply chain, we are currently mourning our LogiMAT party more, which was to take place next Wednesday in Stuttgart. Naturally, health comes first, but we would have loved to celebrate a fabulous party with you. Dont forget though, postponed does not mean cancelled. In this case, we will deliver as well :)

19/02/2020

Corona and the 2020 Euroshop trade fair

Entire booths are vacant because companies could not persuade their employees to visit a crowded venue. There could also be Chinese people there....

Entire booths are vacant because companies could not persuade their employees to visit a crowded venue. There could also be Chinese people there. Maybe even from Wuhan. And everyone else is automatically suspicious, too. Every second trade fair visitor will be wearing a protective mask - if visitors even come at all.

That was the prediction for the 2020 Euroshop. Okay, there truly was hardly anybody there on Sunday, but thats also because nobody visits a B2B trade fair on a Sunday anyway. On Tuesday though, the trade fair was full, packed even - in the halls it sometimes looked like the 1991 CeBIT. Yes, that was the CeBIT the year I wanted to postpone my high school graduation examination, because the CeBIT was simply more important than schoolwork. Unfortunately, the Hessian Ministry of Education did not cooperate, and I had to arrive and leave before and after my exams, but that's ancient history.

At the Euroshop I saw exactly two people wearing a protective mask. There was disinfectant gel lying around each booth, and some booths didn't offer food because of the Corona virus. No food because of the Corona virus? (Could also have been due to cost reasons.) I don't think that going hungry helps the immune system.

What was striking though, was that more hands were shaken than ever before. I don't know how many industry friends I hugged. Clearly more than usual. This is the new vote of confidence: I know you, you are trustworthy and you won't kill me with your virus. You are clean.

Whether this is medically reasonable remains to be seen. Offering a drop of disinfectant gel to a friend, even if it may not help against viruses, is a nice new gesture. Yet it is unknown whether more people than usual washed their hands after using the bathroom.

02/01/2020

Jarltech 2019 and 2020

The Jarltech group continues its exceptional performance....

The Jarltech group continues its exceptional performance. The order intake in 2019 reached over 323 million euros, which is about 35 million euros more than in 2018, more than doubled since 2014, and five times more since 2010.

Many thanks for this to our employees, our resellers and our suppliers. A large part of the success is due to the fact that Jarltech has invested highly in stocks. By making generous stock reservations for our resellers, together we can anticipate orders better and better and start a roll-out immediately when the »end customer« finally orders. We currently hold almost ten million euros of goods that are firmly reserved for customers. Our investment in inventories will be significantly increased from January onwards.

In addition, we have repeatedly found creative financing solutions for projects.

In 2020 Jarltech will add some new, highly interesting vendors to its portfolio. Further investments in IT, buildings and in our staging department are also already initiated.

We are looking forward to a good cooperation!

19/11/2019

(Value Add) Why does Jarltech need a restaurant?

Heres a question I was often asked over the last days. As a short intro (not everyone reads the local press from the Taunus): Effective December 1st, 2019 we will...

Heres a question I was often asked over the last days. As a short intro (not everyone reads the local press from the Taunus): Effective December 1st, 2019 we will be operating the restaurant »essWebers« in Usingen in a half-timbered house built in 1704, lovingly restored by the city of Usingen and lovingly cooked and managed by the Weber couple for the last five years. A jewel in a small town in the shadow of the cosmopolitan city of Frankfurt, acclaimed by Guide Michelin and Falstaff, but economically beaten by start-up difficulties and misunderstandings, together with construction sites around the building. The restaurant should go out of business.

No, our core business remains wholesale and yet this new partnership was obvious. Usingen is a city that is sometimes plagued by being »second« in location, compared to the Vordertaunus. Jarltech, on the other hand, is proud of its origins. In our industry we play in the first league in Europe and our »essWebers« can also do that. Because it is done with love. Sometimes its about being something »different« than expected, though sometimes its hard to keep the balancing act between »affordable« and »premium«.

We need a place where we can do business, but also where we can have fun in private. We work hard and the food services industry is an industry that also works even harder. If we come with Spanish business people, and the restaurant opens on a day it normally has off, and then the menu of the day is translated into Spanish, then that fits perfectly to the Jarltech claim. That is truly »premium«.

And if a guest really enjoys the truffle noodles, and we can bring them fresh to the next meeting in London by the glass, then thats just awesome.

Of course we are in a small locality, but thats where we come from and we do not shy away from competition with the rest of the world. If you offer a lunch menu for 12.50 euros, somebody is bound to find it totally overpriced. The fact that our »essWebers« does not earn money with it is due to the claim to be »premium« at noon as well. One person finds this to be exaggerated, the other finds that he actually saves money.

This is not about big money. Jarltech is also committed to its hometown. Our success is based on our great team from our region. Jarltech knows its origins, is proud of them and never arrogant but always generous. Likewise, our cuisine is not over the top, we have no mini-portions and do not require any guest to appear in a suit (otherwise I could never go there). Nevertheless, »essWebers« cannot merely be »simple«, but must always be »premium«. »essWebers« simply wants to make guests happy, just like Jarltech wants to make customers happy.

I think we can inspire each other.

With banquet rooms, »private rooms«, a restaurant, a bar and a terrace, and above all a flexible team, there are possibilities that our customers otherwise only know from our »Staging« department.

We are proud to be able to invite our customers and suppliers there, just as we are pleased to be able to offer this whole range to guests from our favorite city of Usingen. We have a team there that we can trust without hesitation. Now you can also taste and smell Jarltech its about time!

16/10/2019

Sterilize your money immediately!

Finally, an e-mail from Asia reaches me about a product I have never heard of before: a »money sterilizer«.

...

Finally, an e-mail from Asia reaches me about a product I have never heard of before: a »money sterilizer«.

No, seriously. »Dirty« money can be found not only in offshore bank accounts or under a pillow, but every day in your very own wallet. The e-mail I mentioned claims that 36,000 Americans die every year from flu-related illnesses. 10% of them have acquired the virus through contact with banknotes. Supported by a study by the »Center for Disease Control and Prevention«. Without me being able to or wanting to check it out now.

Apparently, an American university has also taken a sample and detected more than 3,000 different types of bacteria on one-dollar bills. A European university found 6,000 varieties.

The solution is to treat the money with a plasma ion cluster (whatever that is) and a HEPA filter during the automatic counting process. It only takes 20-30 seconds. In order to then get the clean money into circulation, I suggest that all cashiers should always wear disposable gloves (using new ones for each transaction, because they are also accepting »dirty money«), and the cash drawers should also be cleaned regularly.

Although, perhaps simple contactless payment is a better recommendation instead.

If you are not contactless, but have the appropriate contacts, please make the EU Commission aware of this issue. Either we will do huge business, because we will sell these devices millions of times over, or, because cash would be banned for health reasons, all payment transactions must be converted to cashless - that too is a nice deal. The task of abolishing cash would no longer be handled by the Ministry of Finance, but by the Ministry of Health. Interesting.

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