Chief Executive Officer (Chairman of the Executive Board), Fraport AG
Dr. Stefan Schulte Part 2 - Oktober 2010 - Perspektif.de
Dr. Stefan Schulte - Oktober 2010 - www.Perspektif.de.
About Stefan Schulte
In February 2013, Stefan Schulte, as Chairman of the Executive Board of Fraport AG, participated in the opening ceremony of the company's new corporate headquarters. The building, which took two years to plan and construct, was inaugurated alongside board member Anke Giesen, works council chair Claudia Amier, and supervisory board member Karlheinz Weimar. Schulte described the new facility as featuring open-plan standards and team workspaces, stating that the design would enable faster and better knowledge transfer among employees and shorten distances between administrative units, leading to time savings. He also noted that the modern ambiance was intended to help employees feel at home. Schulte highlighted the building's sustainability features, including a photovoltaic system on the south facade to power electric vehicles in the garage. He explained that the roof uses a foil membrane instead of glass, with adjustable layers of dotted foil to control sunlight entry, comparing the system to a variable blind. The German Sustainable Building Council awarded the project a Gold certificate for its energy efficiency standards.
Transcript (41 segments)
H
Host0:04
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Perspektiv. Today's guest is the CEO of Fraport AG, Dr. Stefan Schulte. Mr. Schulte, I would like to pick up where we left off. We were talking about integration policy. Do you believe that mistakes have been made in integration policy, and if so, which ones?
S
Stefan Schulte0:24
I don't think it's my place to give a verdict; others are much more qualified. Perhaps from the immigration in the 1950s and 1960s, we switched too late to a topic of developing a country together and truly understanding immigration as something positive in Germany. I think we still need to talk a lot in Germany about how positive and how important immigration is, how open a multi- or multicultural society must be, because it is always a gain for a society, and we all benefit from it, including us Germans in Germany.
H
Host1:08
In Germany, controversial integration debates are also being held, also currently. What does successful integration look like for you? How should one discuss integration constructively?
S
Stefan Schulte1:24
We should have respect for every citizen regardless of cultural background or nationality. Conversely, we can expect foreign citizens to integrate to the extent that they learn the German language and acquire basic knowledge about Germany. But within that framework, they should be able to continue living their cultures. Integration is successful when we no longer have to discuss it. At Fraport, we have 78 nationalities, and if you ask, it's not an issue there. It's important to address issues like school and early language support. If foreign citizens are not sufficiently promoted in learning German in the early years, they won't have the same development opportunities. There are already good projects in and out of school. I think we will develop positively in the coming years.
H
Host3:12
How do you assess the current state in Germany? What grade would you give the integration process?
S
Stefan Schulte3:18
Grades are always too simple and overgeneralize.
H
Host3:23
Mr. Schulte, Fraport is also very active as an operator at foreign airports. What opportunities do you see abroad?
S
Stefan Schulte3:35
We have learned to manage airports professionally for decades, as seen at Frankfurt Airport with high complexity and excellent management. We want to use this competence internationally. We are active in 12 other airports, recently won St. Petersburg, are active in Antalya, and want to do more in Turkey. We are focusing on China, with one airport already active and another project in negotiation. We are looking intensively at Brazil. It's a growing business in revenue and profit, and it's positive for our employees to gain international experience.
H
Host4:59
You mentioned Antalya. Will you continue to expand in Turkey? Are there other airports where Fraport might consider being an operator?
S
Stefan Schulte5:12
Yes, certainly. We have been active in Turkey for a long time and have good experiences. Turkey is developing very strongly in terms of general economic performance and tourism. If political decisions lead to new tenders, we will certainly participate. So new involvement in Turkey could arise in the future.
H
Host6:04
How satisfied are you with German-Turkish economic relations?
S
Stefan Schulte6:12
They have grown significantly in recent years. We can imagine more cooperation and desire more, but we must remain realistic. They have grown noticeably. We have a trade volume of 10 to 15 billion euros per year in both directions. You can see it at our airline, Turkish Airlines, which has been active in Frankfurt for 50 years, now carrying 1.5 million passengers per year. Cargo volume has also grown significantly. The cooperation between Turkey and Germany, Europe and Turkey has become very intensive.
H
Host7:05
Speaking of Europe, in Germany there is concern that companies will relocate jobs to Turkey if the country becomes an EU member. Do you share these concerns?
S
Stefan Schulte7:22
In Germany, many people often express many concerns. I do not share that concern. We live in an internationally divisional economy. We are well positioned by operating internationally. Many German companies already have production sites, sales offices, and development centers worldwide, including in Turkey, Hungary, Eastern Europe, and the Far East. This is a normal process. No special development will occur. It is wise not to isolate economies but to keep them open, and then development potentials will be realized for everyone's benefit.
H
Host8:09
And what economic advantages could Germany or Europe have if Turkey were to become an EU member?
S
Stefan Schulte8:18
It would certainly have many advantages, because the legal framework and trade relations would bring further benefits such as tax and customs advantages in trade processes. The legal framework is an important issue. Regardless, economic cooperation is already good and can certainly be expanded further. EU membership is one topic, but there are many other topics involved.
H
Host8:52
Do political and social reforms in Turkey play a role for German investors?
S
Stefan Schulte8:59
The stability of a country, legal framework, and political system plays a major role for German and other investors. That is crucial. Turkey has developed very well in recent years in this regard, and continuing this is also in Turkey's interest.
H
Host9:19
Are there new business ideas or developments in the near future from Fraport's perspective?
S
Stefan Schulte9:29
From Fraport's perspective, the decisive topic is political decisions for new tenders, concessions, or privatizations of airports. That is our business. We observe this, but since airports are usually tendered on a long-term basis, there is no topic on the agenda at the moment. We are sticking to what we do best. We have concentrated on this in Germany, we know how to manage and operate airports well, and we want to continue that internationally.
H
Host10:10
Mr. Schulte, now I would like to ask you some personal questions if you allow. You mentioned Turkey earlier, that you like to go there. When were you last in Turkey? When did you last take a vacation there?
S
Stefan Schulte10:24
I don't know exactly. Either it was last autumn in Antalya, or I spent a weekend with my wife in the most beautiful city in Europe, which is Istanbul. That must have been last year or the year before, in the autumn. So I am there often. I like being there on vacation.
H
Host10:43
So Istanbul is your favorite city, even the most beautiful city in the world? Can you say that?
S
Stefan Schulte10:51
Istanbul has a lot of charm, it is a very attractive city. Certainly a city with many contrasts, but that may be part of its appeal. The markets, the finely structured areas, the contrasts between the European and Asian sides, the Bosphorus flowing through, the good climate, the nice restaurants. Yes, it's a beautiful city.
H
Host11:22
Mr. Schulte, Fraport is also the main sponsor of Eintracht Frankfurt. When were you last in the stadium for a home game?
S
Stefan Schulte11:29
About three weeks ago, but unfortunately we didn't win. But the last home game we won again, against Nuremberg.
H
Host11:38
And do you believe that Eintracht, perhaps with Halil Altintop, the Turkish national player, will achieve a UEFA Cup spot at the end of the season?
S
Stefan Schulte11:49
Is that possible this year? The start hasn't been 100% successful, so we shouldn't set the goals too high. The team and coach have set a clear goal of 50 points, and they are working on that first.
H
Host12:02
This year the Football World Cup also took place, and Germany was very successful, also with players like Özil and Co. What was unique for you about this national team? What fascinated you?
S
Stefan Schulte12:19
The national team came together as an excellent team and continually improved, surprised positively, played fast and brilliantly. They played an attractive game that made us spectators say 'that's fun'. Combining that with sporting success is a masterpiece. Their example shows that migration no longer plays a big role in Germany. Integration, at least in top football, is long accepted. In sports it is no longer a topic. Sports have a great significance for integration, as seen at this World Cup.
H
Host13:13
Now a different topic. How do you define luxury, Dr. Schulte?
S
Stefan Schulte13:19
A word that is actually foreign to me. I try to live as normally as possible, even though I could probably live in luxury. Luxury for me is probably having free time, because I have far too little of that.
H
Host13:37
Speaking of free time, you also have 100% hobbies, but you are a very busy man. Can you still pursue your hobbies? What hobbies do you have?
S
Stefan Schulte13:48
Unfortunately, it's getting less and less. I used to enjoy golf, but that was many years ago and I don't get to do it anymore. But one thing I do regularly is go for a run through the meadows with a view of the Frankfurt skyline, jogging through the forest. That's my balance. And sometimes being at home in the evening or on the weekend, picking up a book – that's already nice.
H
Host14:18
What have you been really happy about recently?
S
Stefan Schulte14:22
I should say our interview today, I'm very happy about that. But also the traffic development in recent months has been surprisingly positive, which helps us shoulder the large investments. And a truly nice experience was the first scheduled flight of Lufthansa's A380 here in Frankfurt, which we had prepared for many years. Those are very positive moments.
H
Host14:54
Mr. Schulte, if you have to name a professional goal that you want to achieve by the end of this year, what would it be?
S
Stefan Schulte15:03
To continue to be fully on schedule with the new runway, because we must and want to put it into operation next winter.
H
Host15:12
Mr. Schulte, we unfortunately have to come to the end. But what would you like to leave with our viewers in conclusion?
S
Stefan Schulte15:19
That Fraport is a really exciting business. I am proud that we have 70,000 jobs at the airport, with Fraport having 19,000. So many different nationalities work together excellently. Our employees, including our Turkish employees, do a great job every day. When you see how complex it is, every plane arriving a bit earlier or later at different gates, and it still works, that is the achievement of all our employees in baggage handling, security, check-in, wherever. They do a great job every day.
H
Host16:06
I thank you very much for the very interesting conversation. Mr. Schulte, thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that was Perspektiv today with Dr. Schulte, CEO of Fraport AG. Until the next broadcast, as always, goodbye. Perspektiv was presented by Metro Group.