In the course of the European elections, CEO Bernard Schäferbarthold emphasises the value of democracy and the importance of a united Europe in a letter to employees in the EU. He encourages them to vote on 9 June.

Wednesday 08.05.2024

Dear colleagues,

There are many important elections coming up this year: in Germany, in Europe and around the world. I am turning to you today to look ahead to one of the key elections in the coming months. The European elections on 9 June. Why? Because we are facing unprecedented challenges today. We are navigating through a world characterised by rapid technological change, global environmental crises, new wars, conflicts and social upheaval.

In the midst of this turmoil, the pursuit of a united, peaceful Europe, a commitment to human dignity, diversity, openness, tolerance and corporate social responsibility is more relevant than ever. After all, membership of the European Union has made us strong. It is the basis for our economic success and prosperity. Populists and extremists want to weaken or abolish our European Union. This jeopardises the foundation for the success of the economy and our companies.

Around 25,000 people from 85 nations work together at FORVIA HELLA in the EU. We have thousands of suppliers and co-operation partners with whom we can work together without obstacles thanks to the European single market. We have 56 locations in 17 different countries in the European Union, whose close and smooth co-operation across borders is essential for our success. Losing this opportunity would cost us all time and money, as well as valuable experience and training opportunities for individual employees due to restricted freedom of movement.

The experience of Brexit is a drastic warning here: trade and investment are collapsing. According to scientific calculations by Cambridge Econometrics, there will be three million fewer jobs in the UK in 2035 than there would have been if the UK had remained in the EU. In 2023, British citizens would be almost €2,300 poorer on average than they would have been without Brexit. Leaving the euro would therefore devalue the savings of millions of people, significantly reduce our economic output and jeopardise millions of jobs. After all, the euro connects us with our most important trading partners and keeps us competitive in the world.

These are just a few of the many examples that speak in favour of an open, tolerant and peaceful Europe. They are examples that show that exclusion, hatred and isolation jeopardise our entrepreneurial freedom and our individual prosperity.

With our FORVIA values, we clearly stand for diversity, open-mindedness and respect. I would therefore like to encourage each and every one of you to live these values and to stand up for them. We all benefit from this.

Democracy thrives on discourse. Not all political decisions are always to everyone's satisfaction. However, I personally am firmly convinced that our democracy and European values are the only right system to make Europe fit for the future and worth living in.

I would therefore like to encourage you to vote on 9 June: for an EU that you personally want to live in tomorrow. I also explained why I am voting in a video together with Stefanie Rheker and Oliver Lax.

Yours sincerely,
Bernard Schäferbarthold

More Information on the ‘We stand for Values’ Initiative

FORVIA HELLA joined forces with more than 30 large German companies and organizations in the “We stand for values” initiative: DAX and MDAX corporations, family-owned companies and German SMEs, who together want to call on their employees to participate in the upcoming elections and emphasize the value of democracy in Germany and Europe for the national economy and their own companies.