New Year's reception of the IHK zu Lübeck 2025

Last Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the Lübeck Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) hosted its annual New Year’s reception. In addition to numerous guests from business and politics, our Managing Director Jochen Brüggen also had the opportunity to give a short video message on current security policy issues that also affect our sector.
In his contribution, he spoke about the increasing threat of cybercrime and geopolitical tensions for companies like Brüggen. “Today, we invest millions in protection against cyber attacks,” explained Jochen Brüggen. He finds “the latest developments in the Baltic Sea, where both data and energy networks are increasingly at risk, particularly worrying.” This critical situation directly affects us as a company, as we rely on stable supply chains and a secure digital infrastructure.
Jochen Brüggen also made it clear that companies like ours also suffer when political crises block global supply routes. As an example, he cited the current geo-economic tensions in the Red Sea, where conflicts are blocking important trade routes and sea lanes, resulting in considerable disruption to the movement of goods.
The economic conditions in Germany and Europe have become significantly more complex in recent years due to political unrest, creating a new dimension of uncertainty in many areas. With his statement, our Managing Director is therefore highlighting an issue that is more topical than ever today and underlines the urgency for companies to proactively deal with the constantly changing political and economic conditions.
In his opening address, the President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce also encouraged companies to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to remain agile and resilient in this rapidly changing world. Brüggen is also resolutely facing up to the challenges of our time. By investing in security infrastructure and digital transformation, we are strengthening our resilience and remaining future-proof and confident.