Entrepreneur Martin Herrenknecht has threatened to relocate parts of his company amid a dispute over traffic calming measures in Schwanau. The 83-year-old criticized the placement of flower pots in front of his factory premises.
In the dispute over around 20 flower pots placed on roads leading to the Herrenknecht AG factory premises in Allmannsweier, company owner Martin Herrenknecht is considering a partial relocation. “I will not have the pots removed a second time. Instead I ask: Do you really have nothing more important to do in the municipal administration?”, the Badische Zeitung quoted the entrepreneur as saying.
Herrenknecht told the newspaper that he respected democratic decisions but added that the administration must also respect his considerations. A spokesperson clarified that this was a consideration and not a threat. The company manufactures tunnel boring machines and employs around 5000 people.
Mayor Marco Gutmann confirmed to Handelsblatt that the permitting authorities are currently reviewing the project. Afterwards the case will be decided again in the municipal bodies. In principle Herrenknecht remains committed to the Germany location.