Germany 2018

GERMANY JUNE 28, 2018

GRowth ENGiNE foR EuRopE German companies significantly contribute to UAE’s ongoing projects

GERMANY

SPECIAL REPORT JunE 28, 2018

Executive Editor Vicky Kapur Supplements Editor Suchitra Steven Samuel Supplements Team Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri Farhana Chowdhury Deepa narwani Senior Designers Mohammad Ejaz Khan M A Aroos Mohamed Imaging Venugopal Prabhu Aurangzeb Mehar Baksh Murshid Baloch Musthafa Peruvallithodi Graphic Designer Mohammed Yousufuddin

BuSInESS MAnAGEMEnT Senior Vice President – Finance & Operations Shishir Kapadia Advertising Director Mukhtar Qureshi Manager Supplements Bilal Saeed Head — Circulation and Distribution Constance Louis Moraes Head — Production and IT Operations Mohan Kumar Shetty

Force to reckon with Germany is a global leader in several industrial and technological sectors

Germany is one of Europe’s most industrialised and populous countries. It is a great power with a strong economy and has the world’s fourth largest economy by nominal GDP, and the fifth largest by PPP. The German economy continues to grow at a steady pace. A robust labour market, high rates of capacity utilisation and low interest rates are some of the country’s main growth drivers.

As a global leader in several industrial and technological sectors, it is both the world’s third-largest exporter and importer of goods. A developed country with a very high standard of living, it upholds a social security and universal healthcare system, environmental protection, and a tuitionfree university education.

Germany has the largest population of any EU country. Its territory stretches from the North Sea and the Baltic in the north to the Alps in the south and is traversed by some of Europe’s major rivers such as the Rhine. The country’s largest wooded area, and its most famous, the Black Forest, is in the southwest near the Swiss border, and is a mountainous region full of pines and fir trees. This forest contains the source of the Danube, one of Europe’s longest rivers.

The country is often referred to as the “Land of Poets and Thinkers.” Germans are famous in all forms of art, but particularly classical music. Germany’s famous composers include Bach, Brahms, Schumann, Wagner, and Beethoven.

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Germans are big footie fans!

To date, the country has won four FIFA World Cup titles.

KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | JunE 28, 2018

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GERMANY

An indispensable

strAtegIc

pArtner Germany has proactively dealt with issues such as immigration, asylum, debt-management and investment

■ Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri

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ermany-UAE relations are robust and developmentoriented. Germany is the fourth largest exporter to the UAE, and the 25th largest recipient of UAE re-exports. The UAE is home to more than 900 German companies and the largest trade partner in the Middle East.

Nonetheless, the trade surplus is in Germany’s favour to the tune of more than $15 billion. Likewise, German companies significantly contribute to the UAE’s ongoing infrastructure projects and play a leading role in the alternative energy sector. The German Business Park, an area designed to house several of the already present companies and their logistical needs, is in the midst of construction in Dubai. This is tantamount to enhanced cooperation between the two countries, as their respective leadership believe in upping their cooperation to the higher orbit.

On the international stage, Germany is the growth engine for Europe. It has led from the front as a crucial player, especially in European affairs, and the only country to keep the banner of united Europe flying high, as several member states of the European Union drifted away from the Treaty of Rome in their endeavour to seek more and more local autonomy.

The Brexit episode and the ultranationalistic sentiments in Europe was an opportunity for Germany to exhibit its leadership as a consensual player in regional affairs, and Chancellor Angela Merkel didn’t fail to campaign for a collective and centralised Europe. The monetary vacuum that is emerging in Europe and the downslide in trade and productivity is a case in point, and Germany was the only country that spoke for a united approach as states drifted at their home fronts.

Its global role, nonetheless, is in transition. Germany is today the voice of the dispossessed, not only in Europe but for many of the crisis-ridden states of the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Germany has proactively dealt with issues such as immigration, asylum, debt-management and investment. Germany was the cathedral at the time of influx of refugees into the continent, and the only country that spoke for the downtrodden’s right to life, liberty

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His Highness sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy supreme commander of the UAe Armed Forces, with german chancellor Angela Merkel in Abu Dhabi. — Wam

sheikh Mohamed looks on as german chancellor Angela Merkel talks to a student from the german International school, during a reception at the Presidential Airport.

and well-being. It embraced more than a million refugees and its foreign policy became a beacon light of compassion in the Europe and beyond.

Germany has carved out a strategic axis with the major powers in the region, as well as with the lone super power, the U.S. Berlin’s special relationship with Russia and China is harbinger of peace and stability.

Merkel has dealt with Russia in a reconciliatory manner, and acted as a bridge in brokering new vistas of cooperation, whether it is the Syrian impasse or the multi-billion dollars energy projects across

the continent. Had it not been the acumen and wise policies of Germany, Europe would have slid into anarchy and chaos with Russia over the regional upheavals and especially the Ukrainian affair.

So is the case with China, the economic superpower by any means. The magnitude of investment, trade and bilateral cooperation has further broadened the conciliatory tone, which has acted as a good omen for global economic revival. Last but not the least, Germany is second to none in the region, and its preferential treatment with Britain and France, as well as Italy,

UAe Minister of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right) at a press conference n Abu Dhabi with german Foreign Minister sigmar gabriel. — AFP

KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | JunE 28, 2018

makes it an indispensable strategic partner, despite several odds in their respective domestic chores.

The euro crisis proved beyond doubt that Germany support for single currency was visionary in essence. In the wake of Britain’s Brexit vote, it was Germany that gave leadership to the continent, and closely guarded the secret of monetary union.

The reason was quite simple: Germany is home to entrepreneurs, businessmen, artists, scientists and academicians, and had successfully its nationalistic endeavour while advocating and upholding regional cooperation.

Since World War II, Germany had acted as a state which believes in multilateralism for the collective betterment of all, and had shunned ambitious militaristic aspirations.

This is why it has emerged as the central player on the international stage by remaining stable and exhibiting its resilience as the world around it changed.

Berlin has risen to new heights of success, as it believes in diplomacy and reconciliation. It is a responsible powerbroker, region-wise and internationally, and has acted as a catalyst in ventures of growth, productivity and industrial collaboration. Its gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by two per cent points, impacting positivity on the global economic index.

Likewise, exports are projected to grow at a rate of five per cent.

Germany believes in free trade, and in bailing out ailing economies of the region and beyond. It has played an instrumental role in heavy industrial projects worldwide, and in lifting several ailing economies of the developing countries.

While Germany has doubled up on the path of industrialisation and productivity, it has successfully shunned the American doctrine of protectionism. Thus, the modus operandi is freehold competition and market buoyancy.

Germany is the ‘strong man’ of Europe, and one of its finest credentials is that its unemployment rate is lowest in the 28-member European Union. Likewise, people from other countries are not treated as ‘others’, and sooner than later they become body politic of Germany. This is due to its vibrancy and visionary policies as an emerging great power.

— mehkri@khaleejtimes.com

GERMANY

#EnjoyGermanFood The choice of places to eat while in Germany is a reflection of the multicultural mix in the country

‘C Andreas Kuhlmann (left), Fatima Al Foora Al Shamsi and Kristina Haverkamp at the signing ceremony that took place in Berlin. Photo: Supplied.

Innovation in energy transition and climate protection German Energy Agency Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH plays a role in helping start-ups become global models of success

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he UAE Organising Committee of the 24th World Energy Congress recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena) – the German Energy Agency that will bring the top 100 start-ups from dena’s Start Up Energy Transition initiative to next year’s Congress.

Launched in November 2016, in cooperation with the World Energy Council, the SET initiative aims to provide a platform for pioneers of the global energy transition. It is based on the approach that energy transition and climate protection can only become global models for success with the help of innovation. It is comprised of the annual SET Awards that identifies the top global innovators, and a global summit – the SET Tech Festival – where a vast network of key international energy players is brought together. In 2018, over 400 start-ups from 68 countries entered the SET Awards.

The signing ceremony took place in Berlin between Eng. Fatima Al Foora Al Shamsi, CEO of the UAE Organising Committee for the 24th World Energy Congress, and Andreas Kuhlmann and Kristina Haverkamp, Chief Executive and Managing Director of dena, respectively. In attendance were Eng. Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Industry and President of the Congress, and Eng. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Department of Energy.

Following the announcement, Dr. Matar Al Neyadi, Chairman of the UAE Organising Committee for the 24th World Energy Congress, said: “Innovation is a theme that will run through the 24th World Energy Congress. This new partnership with dena fits perfectly, recognising those energy innovators who are leading the way forward.

We also want the 24th World Energy Congress to be the most impactful ever held.

Connecting innovators with exactly the

audiences who can take their ideas to the next level, while strengthening and promoting the innovation ecosystem here in the UAE, will help us achieve this aim.”

Andreas Kuhlmann, Chief Executive at dena, highlighted: “SET has become one of the leading international platforms supporting innovation in the energy transition. It attracts some of the best young entrepreneurs worldwide. We believe that innovative business models can make a big difference on the path to a sustainable energy future. The World Energy Congress is a good place to show that. We are very proud to join the event next year and bring the best 100 start-ups of our initiative. For them, this is great opportunity to exchange ideas and make new connections.”

Held every three years in select international cities, the World Energy Congress is the world’s largest, longest-running and most influential energy gathering. Under the Patronage of The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the 24th edition will take place from September 9 to 12, 2019 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

The Congress will bring together heads of state, ministers, CEOs, thought leaders and experts – alongside engaged citizens and NGOs – from across the world. The World Energy Congress sets itself apart from other energy and energy-related conferences by covering the entire energy spectrum and energy sources, from oil and gas to renewables and nuclear as well as power, providing a forum for the industry’s largest and most diverse conversation.

Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena) – the German Energy Agency dena is Germany’s centre of expertise for energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and intelligent energy systems. As Agency for Applied Energy Transition it helps achieve energy and climate policy objectives by developing solutions and putting them into practice, both nationally and internationally.

In order to do this, it brings partners from politics and business together, across sectors. dena’s shareholders are the Federal Republic of Germany and the KfW Group.

ulinary Germany’ is the campaign of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) in 2018. At the heart of the campaign lie offerings that are typical to each region. These enable visitors to experience culinary traditions in an authentic way and explore Destination Germany while enjoying great food and drink.

“The many different regional cooking styles and specialities, as well as the broad range of places to eat are among the strengths of Destination Germany, and we want to highlight this in our campaign,” says Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of GNTB. “By emphasising regional and seasonal produce, we are supporting Germany’s positioning as a sustainable travel destination and promoting tourism in rural areas.”

Seven per cent of foreign holidaymakers choose to visit Germany because of the variety and quality of the food and drink on offer. Going to restaurants and cafés is the second most popular holiday activity, behind only sightseeing.

Cross-media campaign strategy

The ‘Culinary Germany’ campaign is built around three closely intertwined pillars that are linked through accompanying online and offline communication activities. A film project uses authentic stories to showcase the typical dishes of each federal state. In spring 2018, the GNTB hosted food truck events in the international source markets, focusing on white asparagus, bread and beverages. At international cooking events, influencers will be cooking up specialities from the film project, adding another dimension to the cross-media marketing campaign.

By working closely with its partners, GNTB will be raising the profile of the year’s campaign in international source markets.

Food and drink as a lifestyle element

Regional food markets are firmly established in urban life, as are food festivals and food truck events. More and more restaurateurs are developing their menus based on regional and seasonal products and traditional recipes, in order to offer good old fashioned and delicious food. Visitors from around the world can enjoy authentic German culinary culture at traditional festivals throughout the year.

From street food to Michelin-starred cuisine

The Michelin Restaurant Guide currently lists 300 restaurants in Germany with one to three stars – more than ever before.

This underlines the growth of high-end gastronomy in Germany compared to the international market. And everyday food in Germany is also international: alongside traditional cuisine you can find Mediterranean, Far Eastern and Asian influences on menus everywhere.

International cuisine popular

Enjoying varied food and drink and international cuisine is part of everyday life in Germany. In the big cities in particular, the choice of places to eat is a reflection of the multicultural mix. In 2018, the GNTB is focusing on all things gastronomic as part of its worldwide ‘Culinary Germany’ campaign.

KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | JunE 28, 2018

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Your global partner for valves and solutions

More than just a sport Germany continues to fan the flames of passion for football

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he sport and Germany share an intimate relationship that dates back to 1874. The formation of the German National team, and later the establishment of the German Football Association in 1900 that has around 6.6 million members in over 26,000 football clubs, further represents its dedication to the sport, alongside the team’s incredible list of achievements over the years.

To date, the team possesses four FIFA

World Cup titles to their name — winners in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014 — and 18 appearances at the world’s biggest sporting event. Armed with the number one FIFA Ranking position, (as of June 7, 2018), they had also qualified for the recent World Cup held in Russia this year, where they had knocked heads with Mexico, Sweden and Korea Republic in an attempt to qualify for the final showdown. Led by Coach Joachim Low and Toni Kroos as the star mid-fielder, the team marches onward to secure its position as a reigning championship on the field.

Germany also holds two titles on in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, making the country the only one to win both men’s and women’s World Cup tournaments.

GERMANY - FIFA rank: 1 World Cup stats

First match played in 1934; last match in 2014 Best achievement: Champion 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014

tHE CoaCH: JOACHIM LOW

Low has been Germany coach since 2006, having previously served as assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann. He has led the team to tremendous success during his decade-plus in charge, lifting the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and winning the FIFA Confederations Cup with a youthful side in 2017.

tHE Goal: GEr - aZE (5-1) 8 oCt 2017

With the reigning world champions targeting maximum points in qualifying, Leon Goretzka got them on their way with a swagger, scoring this audacious top-corner back-heel against Azerbaijan.

tHE star: toNI KrooS

One of the finest midfielders of his generation, Kroos was a key component in the team that secured Germany’s fourth world title in 2014. He has won the UEFA Champions League with both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

www.vag-group.com

tEam GoAlkEEpERS: Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp DEFENDERS: Jerome Boateng, Matthias Ginter, Jonas Hector, Mats Hummels,

Joshua Kimmich, Marvin Plattenhardt, Antonio Rudiger, Niklas Sule MIDFIElDERS: Julian Brandt, Julian Draxler, Leon Goretzka, Ilkay Gundogan, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus, Sebastian Rudy FoRwARDS: Mario Gomez, Thomas Muller, Timo Werner

GERMANY

GROHE Blue Home Water System (left) and AquaSymphony.

GROHE

Delivering a delightful experience GROHE has an exciting roadmap for the year, with some groundbreaking innovations that will be launched in the region ■ Suchitra Steven Samuel

G

ROHE has a comprehensive network of distributors and service points, closely working together to serve the consumer and professional market. “The consumer is at the centre of everything we do at GROHE, and our operational set up in the region reflects that. GROHE has local offices in countries across the region, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Morocco and many more, and MENA headquarters are in Dubai and Cyprus,” says Renu Misra, President, GROHE MENA, in an interview with Khaleej Times.

“We continue to strengthen our presence across the region, and the expansion of our office in Dubai and the opening of the GROHE Dubai Showroom are a testament to that,” she adds.

At GROHE, quality is defined by the highest levels of craftsmanship, durability, functionality, design and convenience of use. One of the keys to GROHE’s success is German precision engineering. “This is part of the company’s ‘Made in Germany’ strategy. All innovation processes are coordinated in Germany, closely linking in-house expertise in design, development, production and quality control,” she notes.

For GROHE, design is another top priority.

GROHE values the empathetic, aesthetic and high-quality design of its products. Under the direction of Michael Seum, VicePresident Design at GROHE, a team of 20

Our collections have been made to match in form and function with a selection of GROHE taps, flush plates and accessories for a complete and visually coordinated beautiful bathroom,” says Misra.

Another exciting new product is the GROHE Sensia Arena, a new generation of shower toilets. GROHE Sensia Arena provides gentle natural cleansing using just water and hot air drying for optimal comfort and hygiene.

“The innovative GROHE SmartControl technology was developed to provide perfect ease of shower operation, as it lets you choose your preferred spray pattern and adjust the water flow as desired. The operation is simple and easy for all the family, including children,” adds Misra.

international designers develop all ideas in-house. The focus on design is reflected in the many best-of-the-best awards. “In 2017 GROHE received 62 design awards, more than ever in the history of our company.

With 11 awards in 2017, the new GROHE Blue Home tap water system was the most successful. And GROHE is on pace for another record year in 2018 with multiple awards won for the innovative water security system GROHE Sense and GROHE Sense Guard,” says Misra.

Environmental regulations The GROHE brand stands for quality, technology, design and sustainability.

Sustainability also means responsibility – responsibility towards people and the environment. “Therefore, environmental protection and resource conservation are integral and important components of our business strategy, and compliance with environmental regulations is a clear commitment for the company,” Misra says.

GROHE goes much further and strives to continually improve its products, as well as its processes and its service, especially in the areas of environmental protection and resource conservation.

“At GROHE, we offer a full range of products for your home: bathroom, shower and kitchen. We are proud to offer water efficient shower products from the Euphoria, EcoJoy hand showers and basin mixers to the Rainshower Icon, Eco and Solo handheld shower heads,” informs Misra.

In the kitchen, the GROHE Blue Home is a water system that combines a tap with a cooler and an integrated filter and carbonator to deliver perfectly chilled still, medium or sparkling water directly from the tap. Compared to premium bottled water GROHE Blue Home cuts drinking water costs

Favourite product

Renu Misra, President, GROHE MENA by up to 60 per cent, while total carbon emissions are reduced by about 80 per cent compared to bottled water. GROHE calls it ‘unbottled water’.

New products “We have recently introduced GROHE Ceramics that enables us to provide a complete solution for the homeowner and specifier when planning a new bathroom.

For Misra, the favourite product that comes to mind is the GROHE AquaSymphony personal spa. “It is not just a product, it’s an experience — a wellness zone that lets you escape for a moment and step into another world where water exhilarates and renews you, bathing you in softly coloured light and soothing you with relaxing sounds. It is a GROHE offering that truly inspires all the senses,” she recommends.

When asked about future plans, Misra says, “GROHE wants to offer the best products, solutions and experiences to the consumers, the industry professionals and our partners. We have an exciting roadmap for the year, with some groundbreaking innovations that will be launched in the region. With a focus on delivering a delightful experience to the consumer from product selection to service and maintenance, GROHE has all the right ingredients for further growth.”

— suchitra@khaleejtimes.com

KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | JunE 28, 2018

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GERMANY VAG Valves

Offering quality and reliability

The VAG-Group produces a wide variety of valves that serve different purposes

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AG is a global valve manufacturer offering solutions for water-related challenges. For over 140 years, the firm has been offering high-quality products and professional maintenance in the water and waste water sector. With over 10 product groups, including up to 28 products each, VAG offers a wide variety of valves.

For the last 50 years, VAG has been developing Butterfly Valves and created many new versions applicable to different sectors.

They are used not only in the water sector, but also in the sector of wastewater, gas and seawater. The product group Butterfly Valves comprises 16 different valves, serving different purposes. There are not only variants in the area of application, but also in the way of operating. There are valves running via a hand wheel, an electric actuator, a hydraulic

actuator or via a pneumatic actuator. One version even includes a VAG HYsec hydraulic brake and lift unit.

Maintenance on a regular basis ensures secure usage and longevity of the valves in VAG’s service centre as well as all over the world. To simplify this process, VAG offers a maintenance contract to preserve constant

quality and reliability. In fact, the company provides many service employees and contact persons, ready to assist customers wherever help is needed. Our technical experts from Consulting

Team provide engineering support for special solutions with their deep technical expertise as well as material on how to avoid mistakes and damage. When looking at the

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of a valve, what counts is not just the price, but rapid availability, minimal downtimes, service life and other factors like high-quality spare parts. VAG offers those spare parts not only for all of its products but even for valves produced by a third-party brand.

Exciting summer destination Head to Germany for a break and explore spectacular landscapes as well as vibrant metropolises

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s part of its strategy to drive incoming tourism from the Gulf countries and its continued commitment to the region, the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), an affiliate of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is raising awareness for the top tourism highlights in Germany, in order to inspire Gulf travellers to visit the European destination ahead of the busy summer season.

Every year, the German National Tourist Board conducts an international survey asking, visitors to name their favourite places in Germany. More than 32,000 travellers of

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more than 60 nations voted in 2017 and came up with a compilation of a list of the country’s Top 100 sights.

Highlighting the potential of German leisure tourism, Sigrid de Mazieres, Director of the German National Tourist Office for the Gulf countries, said: “Since January 2018, we are experiencing growing demand from the Gulf region, and overnight stays from Gulf nationals in Germany increased in comparison to the same period last year.”

She continued: “Those contemplating to travel to Europe for their summer vacation, can be assured that ‘Destination Germany’

KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | JunE 28, 2018

ticks all the boxes. No matter, if nature and recreation is high on the agenda, or shopping in one of our vibrant cities like Hamburg, Cologne or Berlin, travellers will be amazed by the country’s vast touristic diversity, while being offered great value for money.”

The GCC is one of the top 20 source markets for Germany and the third largest non-European source market, after China and the US. In 2016, Germany ranked top among GCC travellers, even ahead of UK, Turkey and France.

In 2017, international visitor numbers reached record heights, further exemplifying

Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg – the world’s biggest model railway exhibition Europa-Park, Rust Neuschwanstein Castle Lake Constance with Mainau Island Old Town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber Old quarter of Dresden, with Zwinger palace, Semper Opera and Cathedral Heidelberg Castle and old quarter of the city Phantasialand Hellabrunn Zoo Munich The picturesque Moselle Valley

Further popular tourism attractions are listed on the GNTB’s website www.germany.travel and the Top 100 sights can also be downloaded as an app to help visitors discover all the treasures Germany has to offer.

Germany’s attractiveness as a destination of choice for tourists worldwide. According to the Federal Statistical Office, there were 83.9 million international overnight stays recorded in accommodation establishments with at least 10 beds. For the eighth consecutive year, the number of visitors to Germany in 2017 reached record levels, showing a 3.6 per cent increase overall to 2016.

GERMANY

Healthy and nutritious Products are made from pure 100 per cent cow’s milk

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condensed milk.

With German high quality standards and latest technologies, Oldenburger products are controlled at every step of the production process to meet the consumer quality expectations. The products are produced from pure cow’s milk with no milk powder added, no preservatives, no additives and no artificial colourings, which highlight the delicious taste the portfolio offers. Making the best out of the milk, Oldenburger offers a big portfolio of dairy and cheese that also includes yogurt drinks and other lactose free products.

Originating from the north of Germany,

Instagram, which offers easy to prepare recipes, delicious snacks, milk facts, online competitions and interesting tips. Also, to get to know Oldenburger better, in 2017 we launched the Oldenburger Arabic website that displays the products we offer in MENA, as well as recipes, and the sustainability programme and quality we promise.”

As for retail, ensuring portfolio availability and good visibility has been a challenge for DMK MENA. Gonzalez added: “We are always ready for new challenges and we will never cease trying, enhancing and innovating. This year we will approach the retail channel differently to accomplish strong presence and availability across the area meeting our consumer convenience and demand.”

Furthermore, he stressed that food service will always remain a focus channel for DMK as the portfolio has been strongly built and established since 1878.

DMK Group is the German dairy expert renowned for quality, heritage, natural and pure products. It combines German quality with high technology and experience shared from one generation of farmers to another.

DMK MENA is promising to introduce more of its innovative and added value products in the region in the coming years.

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Eusebio Gonzalez, Managing Director, DMK MENA

DMK cows live in a suitable environment with green meadows, good climate, and feed on local GMO free feed. Taking care of the cows is one of the company’s top priorities.

Therefore, the cows’ diets get monitored on a daily basis; they have regular weekly checks by the vet, and are not given any growth hormones or milk inducing medications. Few of the farms are even designed with a spa area, which the cows enjoy and love!

As for Rose, it is the second export brand under DMK Group. All Rose products are crafted as per the German quality standard and offer a portfolio that is flexible and focused closely on the local market. DMK MENA will soon launch a dedicated portfolio under Rose in the Middle East that will include Halloumi cheese, traditional white cheese, kashkaval cheese and Turkish labneh.

“This new portfolio is made as per the consumer’s taste preference and demand in the area. In addition, Rose has a long heritage in Africa with UHT milk, instant filled powder, full cream milk and mozzarella,” said Eusebio Gonzalez, Managing Director of DMK MENA. He further explained that, “To get closer to our consumer and ensure brand recall, DMK MENA has built an online presence for Oldenburger Arabia on Facebook and

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rticulately termed as from grass to glass, Oldenburger is one of the international brands of DMK Group that has come a long way. Headquartered in Bremen, DMK Group is one of the world’s leading dairy companies and the second largest cooperative based company in Europe offering some of the most innovative products on shelves. Distributed to over 100 countries across the world, DMK Group has two strategic export brands: Oldenburger, set as a premium brand that is produced, packed and sealed in Germany, and Rose, a brand with a long heritage in Africa, which now has plans to launch in the Middle East.

Committed to tradition, looking to the future is the company’s motto.

Following the strategy of internationalisation, DMK MENA has established a local presence in Dubai to look after the operations and supplies in the region and beyond.

DMK Group is owned by more than 8,600 active dairy farmers, processes over seven billion kilogrammes of milk yearly, and with more than 7,000 employees, the group has proved to have a healthy livestock. Products that the group is most known for are: UHT milk, flavoured milk, natural cheese, milk powder, butter, cream, yoghurt and

IN GER

Enjoy the Very Best from the German Dairy Expert. www.facebook.com/oldenburger.dairy

Discover the world of Oldenburger: www.oldenburger-dairy.com

GERMANY HARTMANN TRESORE MIDDLE EAST LLC

Quality matters when safekeeping valuables Safes are available in many different sizes and security levels. Purchase one best suited for your needs with a dedicated safe specialist at HARTMANN TRESORE MIDDLE EAST LLC, Dubai. Excerpts from an interview with General Manager Reiner Kaltenbach:

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safe is an essential item for everyone — be it for private or business. Everyone has valuables and documents that can only be obtained with great efforts or not at all. These include important documents and papers, for example passports or ID cards, pension documents, wills and contracts — as well as electronic devices, such as digital cameras and tablet PCs, or of course, jewellery and watches. Also, IT equipment like external hard drives, USB flash drives and DVDs with important files, or for example, the photos of the last years should be stored in the safe, as well as old family photos and other mementos.

Safety StandardS

Safes with poor quality can possibly be broken into without much effort.

In reality there are “inner values “ that make up the quality of a vault, such as special concrete fillings with reinforcements between the steel walls or special reinforcements in the lock area or the electronic lock itself. Therefore, it is important to buy certified safes that are above a certain level of burglary resistance and fire-proof where the certificate is issued by well-known and recognised, independent institute such as the VdS or the ECB-S from Germany.

Certified safes have resisted extensive breakthrough tests with a variety of tools done by the testing institutes according to specified criteria carried out. Depending on, how long the safe withstood the attempted break-in, it gets a certain degree of burglary resistancecertified. The higher the security grade, the more the safe offers protection and the higher it can be insured by insurance companies.

ChooSing the right Safe

The best protection provided by safes is a certified burglary protection and certified fire protection. The size as well as location of the safe are important to consider. Consulting a specialist

company like HARTMANN TRESORE will help you to buy the right safe. In most cases, the safe should be a “purchase for life” to offer real security.

You should also think about the lock of the safe. An electronic lock compared to the “classic” mechanical key lock has several advantages: − No keys to store somewhere, hence prevents destruction of surroundings when burglars seek the safe key. − Easy to programme multiple users with the new biometric fingerprint locking system, which use certified and globally renowned biometric algorithms.

opt for a Safe SpeCialiSt

Transporting and installing safe can be a challenge. A specialist company that deals with safes has the necessary equipment and know-how to even transport a 300-kg-plus safe to a desired location in the house and anchor it there professionally.

At HARTMANN TRESORE, we clarify all the important points for delivery and the transport route with the customer in advance based on a checklist, so that we are

prepared for the existing conditions.

Bigger preSenCe in gold and diamond park

After six successful years of presence at the Gold and Diamond Park, Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, HARTMANN TRESORE moved to a bigger showroom at the same venue to display its wide range of quality safes from Germany. With a large warehouse located in Dubai, HARTMANN TRESORE MIDDLE EAST LLC not only offers fast delivery, but also provides comprehensive after-sales service.

teSted and Certified

HARTMANN TRESORE Middle East LLC has a wide product portfolio of European standard certified safes — from burglar and fire-proof document and data safes, and wall and furniture safes, to drop and deposit safes, strong room doors and strong rooms.

Another speciality of the company is security solutions for the hospitality industry. This includes easy-to-operate hotel room safes, energy-saving and noise-free mini bars, safe deposit lockers, drop-safes and back office safes for HR and accounting.

CuSTOM-MADE LuxuRy SIGNATURE SAFES by HARTMANN are a brand of safes by HARTMANN TRESORE that are purely created out of customers’ design ideas and expectations. Every personalised concept is possible — from the size and paint finish, to fittings and interior fit-outs — be it a high-gloss black safe with hand-crafted white leather interior, precious pearl white high-gloss finish with contrasting dark Macassar ebony-wood and delicate glass shelves, or a safe with pink mother-of-pearl effect and stained oak wood interior. The handles, hinges and hinge caps can also be delivered in gold or platinum finish on request.

HARTMANN TRESORE can also create drawers and shelving out of precious woods such as oak, walnut or light maple, lined with black velvet and fitted with a ring or chain holders, alongside integrating mechanical watches, or an LED interior lighting to illuminate valuable pieces.

Get hold of HARTMANN TRESORE’s latest catalogue via e-mail at info@safes.ae or call +971-4-380 8099/ +971-4-338 5859 Websites: www.safes.ae www.signature-safes.ae

GERMANY Hansgrohe Group

Outstanding design achievements The company recently won nine iF Design Awards

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total of nine products by the AXOR and hansgrohe brands of the Hansgrohe Group have recently been distinguished with the iF Award 2018. The Black Forest bathroom and kitchen specialist currently holds sixth place in the iF ranking, making it the highest-ranking company in the sanitation industry. The Hansgrohe Group outperformed some 2,000 listed companies, ahead of prominent brand names such as Audi, BMW and Apple. An international jury of 63 experts evaluated 6,400 product entries from 54 countries in categories including quality of design, workmanship, degree of innovation, environmental compatibility and functionality.

“We are very pleased at having again been distinguished with a shower of iF DESIGN awards, and view this as a validation of our design philosophy. In collaboration with prestigious designers, we focus on delivering products of the highest quality, on successful product design and above all, on creating optimal customer value,” said Jan Heisterhagen, Vice-President of Product Management, Hansgrohe SE. “Innovations, such as our intuitive Select technology or our new high performance PowderRain spray,

make both showering and controlling the flow of water a true experience. Today, we are one of the leading trendsetters in bathroom and kitchen design, a fact also reflected by our position in the iF ranking.”

Three of AXOR’s award-winning products belong to its new high-end shower collection —the AXOR ShowerHeaven 1200, the AXOR Showerpipe 800 and the AXOR overhead shower 300; a fourth award went to the AXOR Select thermostat. The premium brand hansgrohe won the jury over with its Raindance E overhead shower, the Raindance E Showerpipe, the Raindance E Unica shower set, the hansgrohe ShowerTablet and the hansgrohe Silicatec kitchen sink combination C51.

The Hansgrohe Group, based in Schiltach/ Southern Germany, enjoys a reputation as a leader in innovation, quality and design within the bath and kitchen industry. The company brings form and function to water with taps, showerheads and shower systems.

The 116-year history of the company is marked by innovations such as the first hand-held shower with multiple spray types, the first pull-out kitchen tap, and the first wall bar to hold a hand-held shower.

The Hansgrohe Group, its brands and products have won numerous awards, including more than 500 design prizes since 1974. Sustainable production of resourceconserving products is central to the company’s business activities around the globe. The products of the Hansgrohe Group are featured in projects around the world, such as the luxurious ocean liner Queen Mary 2, and the Burj Khalifa. The Group’s

Innovations, such as our intuitive Select technology or our new high performance PowderRain spray, make both showering and controlling the flow of water a true experience. Today, we are one of the leading trendsetters in bathroom and kitchen design, a fact also reflected by our position in the iF ranking.” — Hansgrohe SE

An eye for transformation art German Petra Kaltenbach combines technology and natural elements to create fine art

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reathing new life into the world of visual art, Petra Kaltenbach, who specialises in Fine Arts, created QR_ART in 2004. Kaltenbach has honed skills as a video artist, graphic designer, energetic healer and holds a Master’s degree with honours in Visual Communication at FH Duesseldorf, Germany.

Prior to walking down the artist aisle, she had lead an advertising agency for 20 years, serving international clients, before settling with her family in Dubai to follow her true passion.

QR_ART is centred on the core theme of Transformation.

Kaltenbach envisioned the concept to express each creation in two different channels, one as patined and one digital. The digital version

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is directly linked to a QR code. As a communicator, she aimed to bridge the gap between observer and medium of painting, as well as between observer and the medium of video and sound.

With a strong affinity for technology, she deemed it logical to reproduce her designs through QR technology, and continued to explore new ways to intertwine art and technology. In 2016, she indulged in UV printing combined with painting.

For all prints on her paintings, Kaltenbach uses ‘Arizona’, a state-of-the-art printing machine from Canon / Oce. Among a series of accolades, the artist was shortlisted

KHALEEJ TIMES | SPECIAL REPORT | JunE 28, 2018

high-quality standards are ensured by five wholly-owned production facilities: two in Germany, and one each in France, the U.S. and China.

PORTfOLiO

PETRA KALTENBACH

iN PROGRESS: The collection describes a series whose goal is to highlight the mix between old and new. Kaltenbach aims to bring the viewer closer to the beauty of the ancient, not just to reflect on the new.

90 x 60cm, on canvas, acrylic, UV-print, The integration between the two 23 carat gold leaves. creates a special magic and transforms it into an innovative perception. Kaltenbach creates works of art that consist of opposites of old and new elements/patterns, classically painted and high-tech printed, rust and shine, medieval and modern elements, to name a few.

Artist of the Fine Arts, Video Artist, Graphic Designer, Energetic Healer and Master of Visual Communication.

by the International Emerging Artist Award / IEAA in 2016.

To date, she continues to showcase her art in international exhibits and has won some of the art contests, besides being nominated, with one of her videos as one of the best discoveries since the inception of the IEAA. In 2018, her video was accepted to be shown on the facade of Burj Khalifa — the world’s biggest screen. In April, World Art Dubai awarded Kaltenbach as ‘The best UAE Resident Artist of 2018’. Some of the awarded paintings can be seen here.

Visit: www.petrakaltenbach.com, for artwork inquiries WhatsApp: +971 50 873 8672

Series of 50 artworks 20x40cm, on handmade paper water colour, UV-printed Pomegranate.

RAiNBOW COLLECTiON: The rainbow is a magical symbol of happiness, so is the Pomegranate. Kaltenbach identifies herself as a happiness ambassador and demonstrates this through her use of bright colours, her motifs and pure joy, while experimenting with printing machines.

Together with Canon she developed an ‘individualised series’ of having the same print, but differently painted elements.

TAMED - Pomegranates on iron: Kaltenbach’s art features controlled rust through patterns in order to showcase that artwork is very much alive, as rust continues to grow within the patterns. The collection perfectly expresses Petra’s core theme ‘Transformation’ with a 40x40cm artwork paired with iron, acrylic and rust. The Canon 40x40cm, on iron, acrylic and rust, Canon UV printed patterns in UV printed patterns are set in varnish and varnish and framed. framed as three prints per motif. Each artwork looks different as the rust will bloom differently.

Tested by the leading water experts.

Our mixers have to pass the hardest test in the world: everyday life. Only then do they earn this name: hansgrohe. Meet the beauty of water.

hansgrohe-middleeast.com