EGMF: working together for the garden machinery industry

The European Garden Machinery industry Federation (EGMF) represents the industry’s interests at European level and engages with policymakers, contributing practical industry expertise to the development of new technical and regulatory requirements.

The EGMF with its strong brands also provides its members with valuable market and industry data from across Europe. For STIHL and STIHL Tirol, the benefits of membership lie in the joint representation of interests, open dialogue within the industry and access to detailed market intelligence.

A long-standing commitment to the EGMF

Wolfgang Simmer, who served for many years as Head of Marketing and Sales at STIHL Tirol, has been actively involved with the EGMF since the late 1990s. What began with his work on the Marketing Committee led to a succession of leadership roles, ultimately taking him to the helm of the association. Although now retired, Simmer continues to support STIHL as an advisor on the Marketing Committee.

“What makes the EGMF special is that competitors sit around the same table and work together to represent the interests of the industry,” says Simmer. 

Achieving more together

Wolfgang Simmer explains: “A major part of the association’s work involves managing the sheer volume of technical regulations originating from the EU. The EGMF engages with EU decision-making bodies and works to ensure that the impact of regulatory changes on the industry remains manageable and financially feasible. Market intelligence is an equally important aspect of the association’s work. The EGMF has now become the principal source of data on all market volumes and period-on-period changes, broken down into a range of product subcategories. This enables member companies to track market trends.”

Wolfgang Simmer also looks back with pride on the development of the EGMF. During his time in positions of responsibility, the association established a sustainable financial foundation, developed further as an organisation and was strengthened by the addition of new members.

Wolfgang Simmer: “Requirements have become significantly more complex across the board. That is precisely why I enjoy sharing my experience.”

For Simmer, the EGMF is far more than a forum for market developments, industry figures and regulation. It stands for open dialogue, mutual understanding and the conviction that the garden machinery industry can achieve more by working together – values he has championed for almost three decades.