Riegel/Strasbourg, 18 March 2025 – The Gerber Group is calling on the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament to stop ignoring small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and finally deliver on long-standing promises of support.
Where Is the EU’s SME Action Plan? Gerber Group Demands Urgent Political Shift
“For nearly 15 years, SMEs have been promised action — but instead, they’ve received rising costs, expanding regulations, and vanishing competitiveness,” said Thorsten Gerber, CEO of the Germany-based stainless steel and aluminium trader. “While billions flow to large industrial groups, SMEs are left with CBAM costs, Safeguard barriers, and unchecked bureaucracy.”
The EU has yet to present a comprehensive SME Action Plan since 2011. During this time, more than 23 million SMEs — 99% of all EU businesses — have struggled with surging energy prices, trade restrictions, and inflation. Especially hard hit: the metalworking sector, employing over 11.5 million people.
Meanwhile, leaked drafts of the Steel and Metals Action Plan again reveal a one-sided focus: protecting industrial giants, without any real innovation or demand-side stimulus for downstream industries.
“The EU must augment financial support to underrepresented groups, including SMEs”
Gerber points to the April 2024 Letta Report as a clear mandate for action: “The EU must augment financial and technical support to underrepresented groups, including SMEs.” Yet no new SME Envoy has been appointed, despite previous commitments by Commission President von der Leyen.
The Gerber Group calls for immediate action:
- A new European SME Action Plan developed with entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.
- Real incentives, less regulation, and access to support.
- An end to industrial policy that favors a few while ignoring the many.
“Europe’s future depends on its SMEs. Without them, there is no recovery,” Gerber concluded.
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