SCHMIDT KRANZ GROUP: The future will be hydrogen powered!

Housing the fourth-largest economy in the world after the USA, China, and Japan, and ranked the best country for innovation by Forbes, Germany is on track for a bright future. Whilst being the leading exporter of machinery, vehicles and chemicals, the country also boasts a plethora of strong family-owned businesses. Accounting for more than 99 percent of all companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the economy. Germany is also the largest market in Europe and is already reaping the financial returns on its low-carbon initiatives, according to a recent PWC report.

Germany is a global pioneer in renewable energy and environmental technologies. In the first half of 2022, 50% of the country's power was produced through renewables. Following the government's policy transition to lowcarbon, non-nuclear, sustainable energy - 'Energiewende' - the country's investment in renewables has skyrocketed. The "megatrends" of environmental protection and sustainability are boosting efficiency and technological development across all German industries, according to KPMG. One key sector for the country's transition to renewable energy is hydrogen energy. In June 2020 a €9B investment in hydrogen energy was announced under the National Hydrogen Strategy, with €2B earmarked for international partnerships, whilst a further €20B of the wider €177B energy shift acceleration package has been allocated to the development of the hydrogen energy sector specifically.

One of these successful SME's investing in green hydrogen is Schmidt Kranz Group. Founded in 1885, the family-owned business builds on over 130 years of experience and expertise in high-performing machines and component manufacturing. Today, it consists of several medium-sized groups of businesses and has an international presence in over 25 countries across the globe.