The Rhomberg Group in Bregenz is one of the leading businesses in the country. Hubert Rhomberg is already leading the company in the fourth generation. In the ORF Radio Vorarlberg Saturday interview, he also discusses the current CoV situation and how it can have a positive impact on Vorarlberg.
The latest economic survey for Vorarlberg's industry showed that 85 percent of companies currently have a good order situation. In the "construction" sector, things are continuing as before, as if nothing had happened, according to Rhomberg. There are of course restrictions and measures that have to be taken, but there have been no negative impacts compared to other sectors.
But that's only a snapshot, Rhomberg warns. The government's investment incentives were particularly important in preventing the slump. However, these will not be available forever, which is why the "construction" sector must also prepare for potential future difficulties.
The Corona virus highlighted that economic structures and processes require change. According to Rhomberg, the equity structure has always been tight, and it is important to ensure that not too many structures are affected or destroyed. For many businesses, however, it is also a huge opportunity to reinvent themselves and reposition themselves. Rhomberg believes that the Vorarlberg region will benefit more as a location if it is done smartly and the joint focus is on sustainability:
Change in public transport?
The Austrian government wants to dig deep into its pockets for the so-called comeback and invest in climate protection or the expansion of rail, for example. According to Rhomberg, supply in public transport must always be created first, so that demand can grow. The growth rates in public transport use in Vorarlberg show that this is the right way to go. Rhomberg believes that an extremely large amount is being shifted in transport and that rail must become one of the central growth areas of the future.
Rhomberg's proposal to connect the Bregenzerwald and the Rhine Valley via rail caused plenty of discussion. The project was feasible in principle and held enormous potential; the only thing that would prevent it was, as always, money.
Globalisation brings innovation
Construction is a hot topic for the people of Vorarlberg and for the economy in Vorarlberg. Prices have continued to rise in recent months. There are problems with raw materials, cement, steel or even wood. Nevertheless, Rhomberg sees globalisation in a positive light, because it simply brings an extreme amount of innovation and makes it possible for Vorarlberg to be an exporting country.
It does, however, show the limits, namely what the critical supply routes are, which can collapse relatively quickly and that perhaps various critical issues should be made local again.
