The Board informsFive Questions to Thomas Glockseisen

What does your election as President of the European Tool Association mean to you?
I am honoured to have been elected to this important and responsible role. My election is not only a sign of trust from our members but also a mandate to sustainably and effectively strengthen the European tool industry in these challenging times. I approach this exciting task with passion and a clear vision: to unify the interests of our members while ensuring that our voice is heard with policymakers particularly in Brussels.
What priorities and goals have you set for your term of office?
First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude for the dedication and commitment of Wilhelm Hahn as my predecessor as CEO President. Wilhelm has been instrumental in shaping our associations´ strategic priority to focus on EU Legislation and to make our voice stronger in Brussels.
Our industry is indeed heavily impacted by the massive amount of reporting requirements and other Regulations adopted at EU level. While we fully support measures to strengthen the EU Single Market, it is an absolute necessity for our industry to reduce the administrative burdens and to focus on what really matters – safeguarding the competitiveness of the European Tool industry in light of heavy international competition.
Therefore, I aim to place a stronger emphasis on enhancing our advocacy efforts. The growing flood of regulatory requirements from Brussels poses significant challenges to our industry. Due to its global market orientation, the sector is affected by all political regulations just like globally operating corporations. However, most of our members are medium-sized companies, and many of these regulations place a disproportionately heavy burden on them – especially at a time when we have to compete on the global market. It is therefore essential that our industry gains a stronger voice in the political area and that EU decision-makers consider our concerns.
Another focus of my term of office will be fostering stronger connections and more intensive exchange within our member network. Only through close dialogue can we learn from one another, create synergies, and develop joint solutions for the challenges facing our industry. Our flagship event, the CEO Annual Congress, will reflect this new focus on networking by providing new meeting formats and high-quality networking opportunities on the beautiful island of Gran Canaria in October 2025.
What do you expect from the new EU Commission under President von der Leyen?
From the new Commission, I primarily expect constructive dialogue and clear support for our industry. We need realistic and actionable rules and regulations that promote innovation and investment while reducing the administrative burden on our industry.
In this context, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is crucial. It is an extremely important Regulation, aimed at offsetting competitive disadvantages for European companies linked to the EU Emission Trading System and preventing the relocation of production facilities outside the EU. While we welcome its introduction, it is crucial to include hand tools and power tool accessories under HS Code 82 in the Regulation and to further reduce the bureaucracy in the system to allow an efficient and smooth process under CBAM.
We very much welcome the Commission´s current commitment to reduce bureaucracy and to support businesses in the current difficult market environment. We therefore express our appreciation to postpone the entry into force of the EU Deforestation Regulation by one year until December 2025 – much needed time for companies to properly comply with the new requirements. The recently adopted EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is another important piece of legislation for our industry. A swift implementation of the new Rules will strengthen the EU Single Market, at the moment it is a big challenge for our export-oriented industry to have diverging labelling requirements in the different EU Member States.
How do you assess the current situation of the European tool industry?
The European tool industry currently stands at a decisive turning point. We are facing challenging competitive conditions, which are disproportionately impacting our small and medium-sized enterprises. At the same time, we must remain focused on what has always been the foundation of our success: outstanding innovation and an unparalleled commitment to quality.
Our hand tools – Made in Europe – set global standards for precision, reliability, and durability. And I firmly believe: quality prevails. The industry is in a period of transformation. Innovations in digitalisation, , and sustainable production technologies offer tremendous opportunities. However, these advancements require clear support and stable regulatory frameworks to unlock their full potential.
How do you see the future of the European tool industry?
As President of the European Tool Association, I am confident on the future of the European tool industry. In recent years, the industry has faced significant challenges, including supply chain disruptions and raw material shortages. However, our industry has shown remarkable resilience with a clear focus on quality and sustainability. Our members' products are world-class, and many of our companies are global leaders in their sectors.
But we must navigate this transformation with foresight. We must preserve our foundation of quality and precision while maintaining our excellent reputation. We must adapt flexibly to new requirements and continuously develop our core competencies. In this regard, we rely on Brussels and the European Union. Stable industrial policy frameworks in the EU are essential for our companies to maintain their position as leading producers of high-quality hand tools and construction fixings worldwide.
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