Bernd Mettenleiter (Alliance 90/The Greens) Visits the Koehler Groupto Discuss Investments in Kehl and Cutting Red Tape
Willstätt, Germany, 09/17/2026 – Bernd Mettenleiter, Member of the Baden-Württemberg Landtag (state legislative assembly), recently visited the Koehler Group’s site in Willstätt to have a conversation about the family business’ current situation and developments, as well as the challenges and opportunities that Baden-Württemberg has as an industrial hub. The conversation revolved around the Koehler Group’s forward-looking business strategy and the importance of stable and dependable conditions for industrial growth and development in Germany.
Thinking in Terms of Generations as a Family Business: A Strategic Advantage
Bernd Mettenleiter was visibly impressed by the company’s consistent and indefatigable commitment to responsible growth, as evidenced by the way it continues to invest in its future. He was particularly interested in the Koehler Group’s mill in Kehl, as the company recently announced that it will be making a massive investment there in order to further consolidate its market position in the area of premium playing cards. “The Koehler Group is leading by example with its entrepreneurial vision and long-term thinking. And it’s precisely in economically challenging times that investments such as the one being made in their Kehl mill send out a clear signal that says that Baden-Württemberg is open for business. Not only that, but they also show that long-term growth, an innovative spirit, and job security can all be successfully combined,” Bernd Mettenleiter, Member of the Baden-Württemberg Landtag, explained.
A Focus on Cutting Red Tape and Getting Faster Approval Processes
During the chat, COO Dr. Stefan Karrer and CSO Philipp Prechtl emphasized the fact that companies in Germany are under incredible stress as a result of growing red tape and drawn-out approval processes. In this context, efficient administrative processes and stable conditions that allow for reliable planning are crucial prerequisites for investments, not to mention for the industrial sector’s competitiveness. “More than ever before, businesses need planning certainty and dependable conditions. Unnecessarily lengthy approval processes and additional bureaucratic requirements are tying up human and financial resources that we desperately need for innovations, circular products, and the continuous, purposeful development of our mills and sites. In other words, we need faster processes, clear responsibilities, and a noticeable reduction in bureaucratic hurdles in order for our region and our country to continue being a competitive industrial center. Needless to say, a constructive dialog with political decision-makers is of utmost importance in this regard,” pointed out Koehler Group COO Dr. Stefan Karrer. The visit underscored the importance of continuous exchanges between the political sphere and the business sector. In fact, both parties agreed that companies and political decision-makers need to work closely together in order to ensure that Germany can continue to successfully grow and keep its leading position as an industrial hub.
