One year later, the company again reported strong growth of 25%. When asked about the relevance of his statement from the previous year, Wolf replied: "Volatility is not a question of the sign, but is an unpredictability and a range of fluctuation on the market that is and remains extremely high. This also has to do with framework conditions that have changed dramatically: Financial markets, currency uncertainties, external lenders and so on. In this respect, I believe the saying 'welcome to volatility' is still relevant."

And the truth of this statement remains true today - regardless of industry and company. This was also demonstrated by AMB, which started on September 18 and reported one record after another (see page 6). The mood in Stuttgart was good and exhibitors were pleased with full order books and rising sales. However, it was noticeable that neither companies nor associations were really willing to make any predictions or sales forecasts for 2019. Based on the markets and demand, growth is expected, but it is not possible to say how strong it will be. After all, you don't know what to expect the next morning when the "man across the pond has slept badly".

And here is the crux of the matter: companies have learned to deal with market volatility, as it has never really disappeared in recent years. But now an uncertainty factor has been added that nobody in business, industry or politics really knows how to assess: the man in America, Donald Trump.

But no matter how Trump may have slept, he is also having a positive influence: he is encouraging more creativity. Companies, politicians and businesses are working together to find ways to become independent of his unpredictable decisions or at least to limit their impact. New markets are being opened up and existing ones developed further. German companies are once again focusing on their innovative strength and driving forward new and further product development. This is also shown by the reaction to the question of how punitive tariffs on imports from Europe would be dealt with if they were to become reality: A shrug of the shoulders, broad grins and "Then we'll just become indispensable!".