Three years ago, the German Sawmill and Wood Industry Federation (DeSH) began extensive restructuring of its organization and member support. 

The number of companies organized in DeSH has increased to a total of 400 since 2017. In particular, the merger with the sawmill, timber trade and related industries in the Association of Woodworking and Plastics Processing Bavaria / Thuringia eV (VHK) and the integration of new members from Baden-Württemberg the DeSH faces structural challenges. With branches in the areas of Northeast (Berlin), Northwest (Wiesbaden), Bavaria (Munich) and Baden-Württemberg (Ostfildern) and the establishment of regional advisory councils and spokespersons, the association intensified the activities on site and established a direct link between national organizations, Board and employees. In terms of content, the association's specialist advice now extends from raw materials, technology, markets, products to the areas of environment and sustainability, energy, law, personnel and public relations. In addition to the 21 permanent employees, a new specialist committee covers the practice's expertise. Networking with partner associations was also systematically expanded.

"The DeSH has developed significantly in recent years. We have a strong presence both in the area and in the political centers. To be able to map the growing variety of topics at federal, state and EU level and at the same time close to the members to be, we need effective structures, which we have now created, "says DeSH CEO Lars Schmidt.

To control the multifaceted representation of interests and specialist advice, the DeSH will establish a new level in the association on July 1, 2020. In addition to politics and communication, Julia Möbus will also take over the management of DeSH in the future. In addition, the subject areas will be merged and coordinated centrally by Christina Reimann in the future. This is intended to streamline processes and increase effectiveness. Klaus Kottwitz, Sabine Thiel and Simone Buchhalla will continue to be responsible for the administrative areas of member support, marketing and events as well as personnel. Lars Schmidt remains the general manager, who can now concentrate more on association management and overarching tasks.

Julia Möbus is looking forward to the new challenge: "The new structure means that we have a broader structure, but we are able to act quickly in the processes. We have introduced future responsibilities in the past few months and are thus setting the framework for modern and efficient association development."