Press Releases


Jobs, Skills & Impact

Reskilling initiative R4E: gaining traction in the European Year of Skills

Brussels, 9 June 2023: As human resources experts and policymakers gather in Brussels for the Making Skills Count conference marking the onset of the European Year of Skills, ERT’s initiative Reskilling 4 Employment (R4E) is celeb...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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 ...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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...

Read more
Jobs, Skills & Impact

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...

Read more
Digital Transformation

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...

Read more
Digital Transformation

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...

Read more
Trade & Market Access

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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...

Read more
Jobs, Skills & Impact

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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...

Read more
Jobs, Skills & Impact

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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...

Read more
Trade & Market Access

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 ...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Jobs, Skills & Impact

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...

Read more
Digital Transformation

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 ...

Read more
Jobs, Skills & Impact

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 ...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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...

Read more
Digital Transformation
Read more
Energy Transition & Climate Change

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...

Read more
  • 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 ...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Jobs, Skills & Impact

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. ...

Read more
Digital Transformation

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...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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...

Read more
Jobs, Skills & Impact

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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 ...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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...

Read more
  • 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...

Read more
  • 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 ...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Trade & Market Access

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Jobs, Skills & Impact

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...

Read more
  • 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...

Read more
  • 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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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,...

Read more
Trade & Market Access

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 ...

Read more
  • 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...

Read more
Competitiveness & Innovation

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...

Read more
Trade & Market Access

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...

Read more
Strengthening Europe’s Place in the World

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...

Read more