How are German businesses in Canada responding to the Covid-19 pandemic?

The rapid spread of Covid-19 has disrupted people’s lives, their communities and economies worldwide. Businesses in Germany, Canada and around the world have been looking for innovative ways to limit disruptions to economies and supply chains, minimize impact on public health and, where possible, help battle Covid-19. In this series, we will highlight the innovative ways German corporations in Canada are responding to the pandemic.

Time, agility and curiosity are great conditions for innovation. -Yvonne Denz, VP at CGCIC Inc.

Siemens Healthineers

The corona virus pandemic has put special strains on healthcare professionals around the world. As healthcare professionals struggle to deal with this unprecedented situation, they are also required to continue to treat other patients. Siemens Healthineers understands the urgency and complexity of the extraordinary situation. They are working  to support healthcare providers at each stage of COVID-19 patient care. In our interview with CFO and Executive Director at Epocal Inc. (a Siemens Healthineers Company) Jens Merkel, we find out how Siemens Healthineers in Ottawa has been rising to the challenge.

 

 

The unique circumstances wineries are facing during the Covid-19 pandemic can be traced back to a few aspects of their business model: wineries are generally found in outlying places, they often feature both on-site restaurants and accommodation, they are often family-run with few employees, major clients include restaurants, and the growing cycle continues regardless of whether or not personnel can tend to the vines or not. With many aspects of wineries off limits during the pandemic, the potential for long-lasting and wide-reaching economic harm is large. The harm does not stop at the winery. Winery tourism brings money into the communities where they are located and as such, the surrounding communities are also facing difficulties. Reif Estate Winery is one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s founding family wineries. The Reif Estate winery is located in Ontario’s warmest sub-appellation and was founded in 1982. Klaus W. Reif of Reif Estate Winery shares how they have adapted to this new situation in our recent interview with him.

 

 

 

Siemens in Canada has been a fixture on the Canadian engineering and innovation landscape for over a hundred years. The German pioneer in infrastructure solutions and automation currently employs 4000 employees across Canada in 46 locations. Best known for sustainable energy, intelligent infrastructure, healthcare and manufacturing, Siemens has adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic in unique ways, all while continuing to operate – and giving back to the communities that helped build their Canadian operations. Hear the details in our interview with Siemens Canada President and CEO Faisal Kazi.

 

SAP Canada has been operating in the Canadian market since 1989. SAP Canada has customers across the country as well as a significant research and development presence with labs in Montreal, Toronto, Waterloo, and Vancouver. Covid-19 has brought with it a need to adapt to a new and different world. In our conversation with Heike Neumann, VP and Head of HR for SAP Canada, she shares how SAP Canada adapted quickly while making sure they could continue to serve their Canadian customers who, at the same time, were looking to them for new strategies to incorporate in both the short and long-term.

 

In times of Covid-19, building bridges and forming alliances can be a daunting yet also crucial task. Women in Business New Brunswick (WBNB) recently launched an international twinning pilot program with the Association of German Women Entrepreneurs (VdU). The program pairs German companies and companies in New Brunswick that are similar in size and at the same stage within one industry. The hope is that enduring relationships can be initiated and, together, new ideas and opportunities will arise. In our recent interview with WBNB Information Officer Claire Ephestion, she shares how this networking initiative can be an invaluable asset for women in business on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

 

Mariclaro is based in Snow Road Station, Ontario. They recycle a variety of products and create stylish handbags, laptop bags, wallets and more from old car and plane interiors. Besides their own collections, Mariclaro has been making merchandise for Mercedes Benz, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines as well as TEDx Talks – and they offer to create unique accessories for you from your own meaningful items such as an old college jacket or a favourite uniform. In 2011, Mariclaro received the Globe Award for Environmental Excellence for best green Canadian product. We had a chance to speak to Mariclaro owner Sven Schlegel soon after Covid-19 hit and hear how they adapted to the crisis as well as what hopes they have for the post-Covid-19 era.

 

 

The Covid-19 pandemic has hit the aerospace sector and the air travel industry very hard as domestic and international travel was put on hold for several months. However, the industry was an essential player during the crisis by transporting personal protective equipment and medical supplies around the world and by being part of the massive repatriation effort. Hans DeHaan, Lufthansa Group’s senior director in Canada, tells us how the Lufthansa Group in Canada has adapted to the ongoing pandemic and how it has contributed in the fight against Covid-19.

 

 

 

The concluding conversation for our “Covid-19 and German Businesses in Canada” series features an interview with Yvonne Denz, Vice President of the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc. In this conversation, we hear how new challenges are demanding new solutions from German businesses in Canada. Businesses are being forced – and allowed – to think outside the box while reviewing their short and long-term strategies. Ms. Denz suggests that “… time, agility and curiosity are great conditions for innovation.” Hear more about how the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc. has been helping to support businesses and some ideas about the future of work in our conversation here.

The series has been developed with the support of Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc. (CGCIC).

 


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