Business confidence stabilises, but Europe’s competitiveness is on the decline
CEO Confidence returns to positive territory, but Europe’s competitiveness as a base for industry is weakening
Brussels, 23 May 2023: Today’s report reveals the latest sentiments for the economic and business outlook among European business leaders and reflects the challenges facing companies in Europe across a range of sectors. The Con...
ERT gathers in Dublin, meets Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup
DUBLIN, 22 May 2023: The European Round Table for Industry (ERT) met in Dublin yesterday and day, as part of its semi-annual meetings. This year’s spring meeting, hosted by Tony Smurfit, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Group, brought togethe...
European industrial & technology leaders share ideas for boosting innovation made in Europe
BRUSSELS, 27 March 2023: As the European Union finds itself balancing technological change, fierce global competition and increasingly delicate geopolitics, it has become all too clear that those who lead in innovation also take t...
ERT delegation meets Prime Minister Sánchez
MADRID, 14 March 2023: With the upcoming Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union due in the second half of this year, Members of the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) met with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in ...
ERT delegation meets Prime Minister Kristersson and EC President von der Leyen in Stockholm
STOCKHOLM, 3 March 2023: Under Sweden’s current Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Prime Minister Kristersson, European Commission President von der Leyen and Members of the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) me...
Reskilling initiative R4E gathers in Porto to map out a busy year of expansion
Porto, 8 February 2023: Today and tomorrow, human resources, training, public affairs and communications experts from across Europe meet in Porto – all involved in the Reskilling 4 Employment (R4E) programme – for a meeting hosted...
European industry shares its learnings & recommendations on flexible working
Brussels, 13 December 2022: As the world continues to adjust to the new working patterns that emerged during the Covid pandemic, ERT today releases a new paper, aimed at sharing knowledge and best-practices on the subject of flexi...
ERT welcomes Council position on AI
Brussels, 6 December 2022: Earlier this year, the European Commission presented a proposal laying down harmonised rules on Artificial Intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act). ERT supports its vision of creating trustworthy art...
ERT optimistic for progress in third EU and U.S. TTC meeting
In advance of today’s Trade & Technology Council (TTC) meeting in Washington DC, European business leaders expresses their support for its objectives and faith in the ability of the TTC to deliver progress. The European Round T...
CEO confidence drops to an all-time low in H2 2022
Pessimism dominates, but European business leaders hold firm on green transition investments
Brussels, 23 November 2022: The results of a new survey released today reveal the latest sentiments for the economic and business outlook among European business leaders and reflect the challenges facing some of Europe’s most sign...
ERT delegation meets President Macron in Paris
PARIS, 22 November 2022: A delegation of Members of the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) met with President Macron in Paris yesterday evening, also joined by Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market. ERT M...
ERT brings experts together in Madrid, to intensify work on reskilling in Europe
Madrid, 5 July 2022: This week, Madrid plays host to an important meeting of experts in reskilling – with representations of companies and organisations involved in the Reskilling 4 Employment (R4E) programme gathering for a meeti...
ERT highlights the gap between EU visions and realities as geopolitics puts competitiveness in the spotlight
BRUSSELS, 15 June 2022: At the Competitive Europe Summit in Brussels today, Dr Martin Brudermüller, Chair of ERT’s Committee for Competitiveness & Innovation and Chairman & CEO of BASF SE, announced ERT’s latest report, Be...
Jean-François van Boxmeer succeeds Carl-Henric Svanberg as Chair of ERT
BRUSSELS, 25 May 2022: At the ERT Plenary in Copenhagen earlier this week, the Members of ERT elected a new Chair of the organisation for a two-year term: Jean-François van Boxmeer, current Chairman of Vodafone Group. The 6...
Falling optimism, but European business leaders’ investment intentions remain even as economic impact of war bites
Brussels, 24 May 2022: A new report released today reveals the latest sentiments for the economic and business outlook among European business leaders and reflects the challenges facing some of Europe’s most significant companies...
ERT delegation meets President Macron, Chancellor Scholz, President von der Leyen and President Michel in Paris
PARIS, 1 March 2022: President Macron, Chancellor Scholz, European Commission President von der Leyen, European Council President Michel and a delegation of Members of the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) met in Paris yeste...
ERT’s reskilling initiative moves up a gear with R4E website launch
R4E is now up and running in Portugal, Spain and Sweden with national websites connecting workers with opportunities
BRUSSELS, 17 February 2022: The new year has kicked off in earnest for the Reskilling for Employment initiative (R4E) with the launch of a dedicated website. R4E is now up and running in Portugal, Spain and Sweden with national we...
Europe’s industrial & technology leaders kick off campaign, calling for renewed integration to strengthen the EU Single Market
Nearly forty years after its first call for the Single Market, ERT launches a new campaign, with analysis, recommendations & 30 stories by leaders
BRUSSELS, 7 December 2021: As the European Union is actively pursuing feedback from citizens through its ongoing Conference on the Future of Europe, this morning the leaders of some of Europe’s most prominent global companies weig...
Economic confidence among Europe’s industrial leaders cools as supply chain issues, inflation cloud the horizon
Latest survey of ERT Members by the Conference Board on economic confidence, inflation risks, climate legislation and the EU Single Market
BRUSSELS, 24 November 2021: A new report released today reveals the latest sentiments among the CEOs and Chairs in Europe, for the economic and business outlook, while also flagging some potential risks on the horizon. The Conf...
Conclusions of the ERT Plenary of European business leaders in Bilbao
BILBAO, 22 November 2021: Following several significant summits (G20, COP26) in the past weeks, the past two days saw Bilbao play host to the European Round Table for Industry’s (ERT) twice yearly meeting of business leaders. E...
Europe’s industrial leaders share their view on how to make Open Strategic Autonomy work
BRUSSELS, 5 JULY 2021: As optimism grows in Europe for a rapid post-pandemic recovery, Europe’s industrial leaders today release a new publication addressing trade policy in an altered global landscape. Informed by independent ...
Europe’s industrial leaders look to post-COVID economy with surging confidence and a watchful eye on trade risks
BRUSSELS, 19 MAY 2021: A new report released today reveals significant optimism among the CEOs and Chairs in Europe, for the economic and business outlook, while also flagging some potential risks on the horizon. The Conference...
ERT announces new initiative to stimulate reskilling and boost human capital in the EU
PORTO, 7 MAY 2021: As the Porto Social Summit* takes place today under the Portuguese Presidency of the European Council, the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) announces a new pan-European training initiative called Reskilli...
Europe’s industrial leaders spell out key performance indicators for the EU’s digital transformation
BRUSSELS, 3 MAY 2021: Following the launch of the European Commission’s Digital Compass in March, corporate leaders from across the industrial & technological landscape have weighed in with their position on the EU’s approach ...
Voluntary Targets 2021 Report on Women in Leadership Positions
Wanted: More women in leadership roles in European industry
BRUSSELS, 5 MARCH 2021 - The European Round Table for Industry (ERT) today publishes updated targets for the advancement of women in 38 industrial and technology companies headquartered in Europe - as well as figures on ...
ERT launches podcast series “21st Century Industrialists”
BRUSSELS, 8 FEBRUARY 2021: The European Round Table for Industry (ERT), today launches a podcast entitled 21st Century Industrialists, a series of one-to-one interviews with the leaders some of Europe’s best known indust...
Europe’s industrial leaders voice their support for EU climate goals and share ideas to empower transition
To achieve the green & digital transitions, alignment of major strands of energy politics and industrial competitiveness will be needed
Support of European industrialists comes during a critical week for the EU as a 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target is on agenda of EU Summit ERT’s endorsement of the Green Deal net-zero target is a strong signal f...
- Press Release, Publication
Corporate leaders in Europe look ahead with cautious optimism
...and renewed faith in globalisation
Despite a strong resurgence of COVID-19 infections across the continent in September and October, industrial leaders in Europe are cautiously optimistic about business prospects as the new year approaches. The Conference Board ...
Industrial leaders call out lack of implementation of the EU Industrial Strategy
ERT reiterates urgent need for implementation of EU Industrial Strategy and proposes 28 Key Performance Indicators to measure progress
BRUSSELS, 4 November 2020: Against a backdrop of increasing volatility in global trade, a cross-section of leaders¹ from some of Europe’s biggest multi-national companies issued a vehement call this morning for a more effective im...
ERT launches new toolkit to promote knowledge exchange in Inclusion & Diversity
Compendium & campaign bring together 25 initiatives by 20 companies
The European Round Table for Industry (ERT) today releases a new toolkit of case studies to promote Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) from some of European industry’s biggest and best known brands, led by ERT Members. ...
Latest analysis of 5G roll-out in Europe reveals slow progress
Deployment of 5G in Europe is being outpaced by other regions
BRUSSELS, 18 SEPTEMBER 2020: As agitated geopolitics and disinformation cast a shadow on the deployment of 5G technology in various countries, the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) today releases an Assessment pape...
European industrial leaders support the Next Generation EU recovery plan
As many European countries move to gradually reopen their economies, European corporate leaders today announced their support for European Commission (EC) President von der Leyen’s Next Generation EU recovery plan¹ unveiled recent...
Top European corporate leaders hopeful of post-COVID rebound, but do not expect V-shaped recovery
As the COVID-19 crisis continues, ERT released the results of a economic confidence survey of its Members for H1 2020.
As the COVID-19 crisis continues, the results of a new survey of the leaders of some of Europe’s biggest industrial and technology companies released today, reveal new insights into the current levels of economic confidence and th...
European industry playing a vital role in the fight against COVID-19
As the world grapples with the challenges of containing the COVID-19 outbreak and treating those already affected, some of the Europe’s best known multinationals have been actively engaged – donating medical resources and more, br...
Voluntary Targets 2020 Report on Women in Leadership Positions
Rising numbers of women in leadership roles in European industry, but more momentum needed
The European Round Table for Industry (ERT) has published updated figures for voluntary targets for women in leadership roles, set by 35 of its Member companies, together with a report on their progress towards achieving these tar...
Europe’s Industrial Leaders call for urgent action as new report shows Europe falling behind globally
Industry leaders want to work with new EU leadership to deliver for citizens
BRUSSELS, 09 December 2019 – The leaders of Europe’s biggest multi-national companies have united to call for an ambitious new industrial strategy to put the region at the forefront of efforts to tackle the major challenges of the...
Economic Confidence Survey – Autumn 2019
Economic confidence diminishing at Europe’s largest businesses, with competitiveness a major concern
Economic confidence among Europe’s largest industrial firms is falling amid geopolitical uncertainty and concern over the implications of international trade tensions - underlining the need for the new European Commission to take ...
President Macron, Chancellor Merkel and President-elect von der Leyen meet ERT delegation in Toulouse
TOULOUSE - President Macron, Chancellor Merkel, European Commission President-elect von der Leyen and Members of the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) met in Toulouse today to discuss the best ways to enable a renewed long-t...
- Press Release
Robert O’Meara appointed to new Communications role at ERT
ERT announces the latest addition to its secretariat – Robert O’Meara has been appointed to the newly created role of Communications Director. ERT brings together CEOs and Chairs of Europe’s largest industrial companies, in sup...
- Press Release
European Business Leaders call for an EU Competition Policy fit for the global stage
BRUSSELS, 07 October 2019 - Leaders of some of Europe’s largest employers have today called for an EU competition policy which would allow European businesses to compete successfully at scale in today’s globalised and fast-moving ...
Joint Statement for an ambitious Horizon Europe Programme
Research and Innovation
Building on our Joint Letter with Nobel laureates (click here), ERT and 90+ European associations representing key European research & innovation stakeholders, urge the EU Institutions to make research, development and innovat...
Economic Confidence Survey – Spring 2019
Delivering 5G and support for new technologies must be top priority for new Commission say Europe’s largest businesses
The new European Commission should prioritise digitalisation and completing the delivery of 5G networks, say Europe’s largest businesses. As European leaders prepare to discuss the composition of the new Commission at this week...
Business leaders from U.S., Europe and Japan support a revitalized multilateral trade system
Washington, Brussels, Tokyo - In a joint statement, the U.S.-based Business Roundtable (BRT), the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT) and KEIDANREN (Japan Business Federation) shared their support for the trilateral effor...
Nobel laureates and business leaders urge for investment in EU research & innovation
Call for a minimum investment of €120 billion in Horizon Europe to maintain momentum
More than 20 Nobel Prize laureates and other international award winners have joined with over 40 leaders of Europe’s largest companies to urge political leaders across the EU to support an ambitious European research and innovati...
Economic Confidence Survey – Autumn 2018
Business outlook more cautious amidst economic uncertainties
Brussels, 23 November 2018 – The ERT Industrial Confidence Index (ICI)[1]fell compared to 6 months ago but remains in positive territory, amidst increased uncertainties related to Brexit and global trade. The ICI meas...
European business leaders commit to inclusion and diversity pledge
#EmbraceDifference
More than fifty business leaders of some of Europe’s largest companies have today signed up to the first pan-European commitment of its kind, to promote inclusion and diversity in the workplace. This pledge highlights the suppo...
- Press Release
Frank Heemskerk appointed Secretary General of the European Round Table of Industrialists
The European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT) has appointed Frank Heemskerk as ERT Secretary General with effect from 1 January 2019. He will take over from Brian Ager who will retire in January after 8 years in the role. Fr...
- Press Release
Chancellor Merkel, President Macron and President Juncker meet the European Round Table of Industrialists
Chancellor Merkel, President Macron, European Commission President Juncker and Members of the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT) met today at Schloss Meseberg near Berlin. ERT, whose Members include some of Europe’s l...
Economic Confidence Survey – Spring 2018
European business leaders remain positive on the global business outlook and support multilateral trade negotiations
The second Economic Confidence Survey commissioned by the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT) shows that Europe’s business leaders remain positive. The general business outlook slightly increased compared to October 2017,...
European business leaders urge for transatlantic dialogue on trade
The European Round Table deeply regrets the decision of the US administration to impose new tariffs on European steel and aluminium manufacturers. These duties will not only damage world trade, they will disrupt supply chains and ...
- Press Release
Carl-Henric Svanberg appointed Chairman of the European Round Table of Industrialists
Carl-Henric Svanberg, current Chairman of BP and AB Volvo, has been appointed Chairman of the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT). Carl-Henric, a Member of the ERT since 2010, is one of Europe’s most experienced and re...
Economic Confidence Survey – Autumn 2017
Leading European CEOs positive on global business outlook, but concerned about Brexit
Major European-based companies are positive about the global business outlook, according to a new survey commissioned by the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT). The first ever ERT CEO Economic Confidence Survey, conducte...
Europe’s top industrialists hail EU-Japan trade deal
The European Round Table of Industrialists has praised today's EU-Japan outline trade deal as a boost for open, fair and free trade at a time of concern over the rise in protectionism. The ERT brings together more than 50 Chief Ex...
Launch initiative “Why Europe Matters” for youth
New project to re-engage young people on why Europe matters
Europe will only overcome the current political crisis if the next generation of Europeans cares about the EU and is ready to engage to further advance the European project. A major new initiative labelled ‘Why Europe Matte...