German Business Snippets

Several short business updates emerged from German media on July 24, touching on leisure, live events, heavy industry and automotive exports.

In a casual glimpse into corporate culture, Roman Wasenmüller, Spotify’s global head of podcasting, was seen on a padel court in Berlin’s eastern district. The former first intern at Spotify Germany was using a racket bearing the music streaming company’s green logo, reflecting Spotify’s early enthusiasm for the sport, which is now riding a hype wave in Germany.

Meanwhile, Eventim CEO Klaus-Peter Schulenberg commented on the state of music festivals. While Rock am Ring is setting records, other events face headwinds. Schulenberg highlighted European idiosyncrasies and the planned regulation of the secondary ticket market.

In heavy industry, steelmaker Salzgitter, which has not been profitable since 2023, is proceeding with the acquisition of the Ruhr region’s second‑largest steel mill, intending to cut 2,000 jobs. CEO Gunnar Groebler claimed that all parties were grateful despite the layoffs. Separately, German automakers Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes are grappling with sluggish demand for their electric vehicles in China, prompting a strategy rethink – possibly including drastic measures.

The Common Thread

Although the snippets are unrelated, each highlights a distinct pressure point in German business. A tech executive’s padel outing underscores the growing corporate embrace of niche lifestyle sports, while Eventim’s focus on ticket regulation signals a live‑events industry still navigating post‑pandemic realities and scalper control. Salzgitter’s loss‑making acquisition and job cuts show how industrial consolidation continues even in the red, and the auto‑sector’s China difficulties underline the strategic vulnerability of German manufacturers in the world’s largest EV market.