Annual General Meeting of German Wholesalers – Focus on the Future

In May, the German Association of Electrical Wholesalers (Bundesverband des Elektro-Großhandels – VEG) invited their members to their Annual General Meeting in Heidelberg.

More than 70 wholesalers came to learn about ongoing projects, economic challenges as well as the European and national endeavours to reduce administrative, regulatory and reporting burdens.

An undisputed highlight of the event was the presentation of the Best Apprentice Awards 2025, acknowledging the top three vocational trainees of all members. This year, the coveted prize went to Alexandra Petrischak (Sonepar, Augsburg) and Oscar Valentin Wollschlaeger (Sonepar, Minden). Third awardee was Laurin Christl (Limmert, Salzburg) from Austria. Limmert – as well as four other Austrian wholesalers – are affiliate member of the German VEG.

Left to right: Ulrich Liedtke (Chairman VEG), Thomas Canek (Limmert), Laurin Christl, Johannes Kuschel (Sonepar), Alexandra Petrischak, Manuel Haber (Sonepar), Oscar Wollschlaeger, Michael Thalmeier (Sonepar), Michael Morlock (Sonepar) | Photographer: Axentis / Georg Lopata

Another highlight was the significant growth of Open Datacheck Elektro. Open Datacheck is an online solution that connects existing tools and allows for a quick check and smooth transfer of qualified data that complies with predetermined standards. Today, the platform provides wholesalers in Germany with data on more than 975 000 products from over 230 manufacturers (85 percent more manufacturers than last year). This underlines the general relevance of Open Datacheck for the electrical industry.

Keynote speaker Justus Haucap, Director of the Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE), described the challenges Europe is currently facing: “We need to intensify international cooperation to stabilize the European power grid. National solo efforts are detrimental.” To strengthen Germany’s economy he called for innovation, reduction of bureaucracy – especially for the building sector – and a reliable, long-term approach to German market policy.