Wolfgang Grupp and the textile culture in Burladingen: dispute over villas and losses

Wolfgang Grupp and the textile culture in Burladingen: dispute over villas and losses

In the recent edition of the ARD talk show "Hart but fair", the former Trigema boss Wolfgang Grupp caused a sensation with his statements about the textile industry in Burladingen. During the show, Grupp explained that 26 textile factories were based in the city, only one of which survived while the rest of the bankruptcy registered. He provocatively found that many entrepreneurs built villas in the good time, but did not sell them when their companies failed.

These controversial comments quickly excited the minds. Wolfgang Bitzer, the son of one of the entrepreneurs concerned, now spoke up and contradicted Grupp. He emphasized that his parents' villa was sold within a few months after his father's death and the subsequent closure of the knitting company Ernst Bitzer. Bitzer's statement questions the generalizations of Grupp that could be painful for many former textile entrepreneurs.

criticism of group and the textile industry

group statements not only initiated a debate about the economic difficulties of entrepreneurs in the region, but also lag a light on the personal story behind the closed textile factories. While Grupp shares its view from the perspective of a successful entrepreneur, Bitzer's answer looks like a warning not to lose sight of the individual fates.

Another topic that Grupp brought up in the discussion concerned his own villa, which is not far from the Trigema plant in Burladingen. He smiled the spectators in a documentary of the SWR about his placement in the region and the creation of this villa, which reminds of the architecture on Sylt with her thatched roof. Grupp confessed to being a big Sylt fan and this villa fulfills a long-cherished dream.

This conversation between Grupp and Bitzer not only takes up the economic realities in the textile industry in public, but also makes it clear how important a differentiated look at the history and the people behind the companies. While Grupp is a symbol of economic success, Bitzer with his personal anecdote offers an insight into the challenges and setbacks that many entrepreneurs have experienced.

The debate about the responsibility of entrepreneurs and dealing with personal wealth is flamed. Questions about eroded standards in industry and ethical responsibility towards the community and employees become loud again. These topics and other details can be read in a report on www.schwaebische.de.