Family Businesses in Germany Struggle Years After Devastating Floods

Five years after catastrophic flooding hit parts of Germany in July 2021, family-owned businesses continue to grapple with long-lasting recovery challenges. The Floss brothers run a century-old blockhouse and wooden frame construction business in Schönecken, Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm. Their workshop was inundated when the Nims river turned into a torrent, destroying machinery, tools, and raw materials. Jochen Floss recalled, "We stood up to our necks in water, trying to save what we could." Insurance only covered buildings, forcing the brothers to rely on personal savings and community help for repairs. Despite a backlog of orders and ongoing operations, they have yet to restore full capacity or proceed with planned modernization, expecting recovery to stretch another five years or more.

Similarly, Hoffmann + Schelle, a packaging company in Schalksmühle, saw 90 centimeters of floodwater flood their facility. Managing director Arno Schrick and operations manager Uwe Kersenbrock stayed overnight to manage risks while employees were sent home. The flood destroyed machinery and inventory, but cleanup efforts involving employees and their families enabled production to resume by late 2021 with partner support. Kersenbrock highlighted how the crisis, while severe, fostered stronger team cohesion and led to implementing comprehensive flood protection measures.

These accounts illustrate the enduring physical and emotional impact severe flooding has had on German family businesses. Community solidarity played a crucial role in initial recovery, yet long-term resilience and rebuilding continue to demand time, resources, and cautious optimism. Both companies remain committed to overcoming the aftermath with a forward-looking approach.