Under this motto, the new FORMAT Brand Space is now online! Excitingly staged tools, a modern room concept and an atmosphere with a hands-on mentality: FORMAT opens up new spaces. Immerse yourself in our incomparable brand experience and share our enthusiasm for reliable tools of all kinds that make the decisive difference in day-to-day work.

Ready for a special kind of virtual experience? Then immerse yourself in a unique 360° experience, a world of interactive 3D models, augmented reality and, of course, the digital FORMAT catalogue! There will also be news about the FORMAT brand in the Brand Area, e.g. with impressions of the FORMAT marketplaces and the various brand movies.

Curios already? You are warmly welcome to join the FORMAT Brand Space FORMAT Brand Space: https://formattools.eu/brand-space-englisch

With the ‘VAT in the Digital Age’ initiative, the EU Commission wants to modernise VAT law, simplify tax obligations for companies and better combat potential VAT fraud. From 2025, it will be mandatory for B2B companies in Germany to be able to receive e-invoices in domestic B2B business transactions. This change is based on the Growth Opportunities Act (WCG), which was approved by the Federal Council (Bundesrat) on 22 March 2024. In Germany, the reform will be implemented in three stages from 2025. Initially, all companies must be able to receive and process e-invoices in a structured format. From 2027, the obligation will be extended so that companies will also have to issue and send e-invoices. The introduction of an electronic reporting system by the tax authorities is planned from 2028.

The EU countries implement these requirements in a similar way, but not in the same way. In France and Poland, the mandatory regulations for e-invoicing for domestic B2B transactions have already come into force. In Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, for example, there are also specific requirements and timetables.

Important for all companies: What characterises an e-invoicing?  An e-invoice is only valid if it is created, sent and received in a specific electronic format. Paper or PDF invoices sent by e-mail do not fulfil these requirements as they cannot be processed automatically. Dr Christian John, Head of Projects and Business Development EDI at the E/D/E Group, emphasises the advantages of the e-invoice: ‘The automated creation in defined formats guarantees high data quality and stability. Electronic transmission eliminates postal transit times and postage costs. Electronic processing also speeds up invoice verification, which optimises payment transactions.’

To adapt to the changed circumstances together with our European partners in an early and efficient manner, a project team within the EDE Group, including ETRIS BANK, is currently working on the new requirements. Information follows.

Do you need further clarification? Enquiries from our partners on the subject of e-invoicing can be sent to e-rechnung@ede.de or contact your contact person @ EDE International.

In August 2024, ETRIS BANK receives the top rating ‘A+ with stable outlook’ from the GBB rating agency.  And this for the 4th time in a row. This confirms the bank’s solid business model and its future viability.

ETRIS BANK’s main area of business is centralised payment, with and without assumption of del credere, for members and suppliers of its own group of companies, as well as the associated payment processing. In addition, the bank is increasingly carrying out centralised payment services for third-party groups. Another key pillar of the business model is factoring, which is characterised by significant growth in the current financial year in particular. This particular growth is due to the fact that ETRIS BANK offers factoring in all variants, customised to the respective customer requirements.

With its successful positioning, ETRIS BANK is not only a competent partner for SMEs in all matters relating to receivables and risk management, but also a stable and modern employer in the region with a highly motivated team.

Do you have any questions about ETRIS BANK’s extensive financial services? https://www.etrisbank.de/en/

During a visit to cooperation partner Cecofersa S.A. and the joint venture Delcredit España S.A. in mid-April, Peter Jüngst, CEO Logistics, building services, steel and construction equipment – together with Annegret Franzen (CEO EDE International AG) and Rafael Martin from Delcredit España – was able to see for himself the efficiency of Ehlis S.A.’s logistics centre in Illescas, Toledo which opened just over a year ago in 2023.

Armando Aldrey, Logistics Director at Ehlis, guided the visitors through the various warehouse areas together with Alejandro Ehlis (CEO Ehlis) and explained the extensive range of services offered by the state-of-the-art logistics site near Madrid.

Peter Jüngst was delighted with the flying visit and the insights: „We were particularly impressed by the effectiveness and the forward-thinking and state-of-the-art planning of the installations. No two logistics systems are the same – and we took away some interesting approaches!” Needless to say, we have made a return invitation to our logistics premises and are looking forward to the expert dialogue in Wuppertal! See you there!

For some time now, visitors to the E/D/E Presentation Centre in Wuppertal have known and appreciated the modern exhibition space with the entire range of products and services from the Supply Networks/Industrial Services division on site and at their fingertips. This has now also been made available virtually in English. Users and other interested parties can get an overview of the intralogistics systems offered by the parent company of EDE International AG at their leisure and, if required, virtually and from their own computer. They can take a 360-degree tour of the eFabrik premises and receive further information via the embedded explanatory videos.

Guided tours in person are of course still possible. For our European members, the virtual tour is an additional offer if an on-site visit is not (yet) possible. Incidentally, the next steps in further development are already being planned: in future, a tour with VR glasses will also be possible. We will report further on this topic.

Interested?

The virtual tour can be found here: my.virtual-spaces.de/en/tour/efabrik 

This year’s EXPOCadena, organised by cooperation partner EHLIS S.A., took place in Seville at the end of February. With over 350 exhibitors and around 2,250 visitors at the ‘Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones’, the trade fair set a new attendance record. This was certainly also due to the interesting and varied supporting programme: In addition to product presentations, the trade fair offered lectures and personal meetings. CEOs Ignacio and Alejandro Ehlis reflected on the past year and announced a conference this autumn on the topic of ‘Generational change in the hardware trade’ as well as a trip to Germany in cooperation with suppliers. A particular highlight for many guests was the inspiring presentation by astronaut Sara García Alonso, who moved the audience with an interesting presentation regarding motivation and persistence. The topic of AI was also presented in a very interesting way.

Annegret Franzen, CEO of EDE International AG, also took advantage of the event to meet with existing E/D/E members, cooperation partner Cecofersa and the joint venture Delcredit España. Monica Carrascal, Managing Director of Delcredit España, spoke of ‘a perfectly organised event to exchange ideas with members and (potential) suppliers of Delcredit.’

An all-round successful event organised by EHLIS, which this time was spared the capricious weather conditions of last year’s edition.

We are already looking forward to next year’s event in Bilbao!!

Dear members, cooperation partners and suppliers,

Here we are, at the end of a turbulent year that has brought its own challenges. The economic circumstances have undoubtedly been demanding, but despite the storms, we have written success stories together – even in these difficult times.

It has been a pleasure to go through these times with you and we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your trust. Your loyalty and co-operation have helped us to give our best even in difficult moments.

In the midst of challenges, we have learnt to be more resilient, to think more flexibly and to adapt to changing circumstances, especially as to digitation and other important issues. These lessons will help us develop and grow in the future together with you.

As we look to the year ahead, let’s ignite the positive energies together in Europe and beyond! We are convinced that 2024 is a year full of opportunities and possibilities. With our collective determination and commitment, we will reach new heights and celebrate small and big successes together.

With this in mind, we wish you, your families and your beloved ones a happy and peaceful end to the year. May the coming year 2024 be filled with joy, happiness, success and, above all, good health.

Thank you for a continued successful partnership in the new year!

Yours sincerely,

Annegret Franzen with the whole Team from EDE Intenational

Giving joy and making children smile – that’s the aim of Christmas, but it’s especially an annual heartfelt wish of the EDE “Wunschsternaktion” (Wishing Star campaign).

This year marked the 14th anniversary of the Christmas Wishing Star campaign at the EDE Group in Wuppertal, where many of the 225 wishes from children from regional children’s and youth homes were presented in a festive setting in the beautifully decorated EDE foyer.

Father Christmas himself visited EDE Group’s headquarter to hand over the lovingly wrapped presents to the excited children and give them a little happiness in the festive season. The gifts were collected thanks to the great commitment of many EDE employees and with the support of the EDE Group.

“Whether it’s a fulfilled wish or a monetary donation – every gift reaches the little ones and helps! This is the twelfth time I’ve organised the campaign myself and I’m still really happy every time that we can make the children so happy on behalf of our EDE colleagues,” says Jennifer Träptau, Sustainability responsible.

In addition to the presents, the “Christmas helpers” aka employees also treated the children with sweet snacks, while a professional make-up artist transformed the foyer into a winter wonderland with a make-up station, enchanting the children’s faces as winter fairies or reindeer.

A wonderful activity that put a smile on the faces of the children and the organisers. As always, a highlight at the end of the year. We are already looking forward to next year!

Ho Ho Ho!

#MerryChristmas