Industrial production dropping in Germany

When I heard last November that the Industrial Production in Germany rose 2.4%, I was hoping that better times will come to German Tube and Pipe Industry . Now I have to say that hoping is not enough always. The latest figures from Germany tells that the industrial production has now dropped more than predicted - 2.6% since last November. During last year 2002, the dropping was 1.6%. Within the manufacturing sector, capital goods output was minus 4.2 per cent. Consrtuction also dropped 5.8% since year 2001. Unemployment rate rose from 7.9% to 8.4% during year 2002. On January 2003, the unemployment leapt to 11.1% - an extra 400,000 people without work since December 2002. Well, while it seems that in US the optimism is slowly getting back, I cannot say the same about Germany when looking at those figures.

What about Iraq problem?

The world is now watching what will be happening with Iraq problem. In this situation I still remember times about 10 years ago when it was the Kuwait problem. When watching from my personal perspective, the "Dessert Storm" didn't effect too much for the Tube & Pipe Industry - from machinery sales point of view especially. It was slow before the attack when all "media" was just focusing about the possible "attack". After the attack took place, the business started to go better right away. I need to stress that this is only from my point of view - probably there are also other opinions. What will be happening now in case the war becomes reality? It remains to be seen - in March probably.

How is Lola ?

Lola is doing just fine! I guess she is now grown up "Coton de Tulear" dog. Weight about 5 kg. And she keeps on being funny. I can confim you the prediction: Cotons are funny dogs.

We named her Lola - without any idea that Ozzy Osborne - the Rock Star has also a dog named Lola. Funny thing. I just noticed it when looking to a program from TV that was about Osborne family.

If you ever think to get a dog, I can really recommend Coton de Tulear.

Cheers,
Juha