FUNDAMENTALS OF THE GFT EG AND THE GFT GROUP
Tradition meets forward-looking development: GFT relies on the successful cooperative model to strengthen and secure the position of the installer trade in the long term.
The cooperative business model
When GFT was founded 50 years ago, independent telecommunications companies had the idea of using their own business enterprise to independently provide the purchasing, storage and distribution functions that were indispensable for their companies. They no longer wanted to be dependent on outsiders in the industry, but to exert influence on the telecommunications market themselves as a strong regulator. Cooperation in the legal form of a cooperative is the most suitable way to achieve this. In this form, self-administration and entrepreneurial self-determination are best realised within the framework of the legal mandate to promote. Today, GFT operates exclusively in the drop shipment business.
GFT's central invoicing - order with GFT's good name from over 80 suppliers.
Cooperative as a model of success
The central business segment is "central invoicing". The members of GFT purchase "in the name and for the account of GFT" from their more than 80 suppliers. GFT guarantees punctual payment to the suppliers, taking advantage of purchasing benefits (bonuses, discounts, etc.). In addition to central invoicing, GFT offers its members a wide range of commercial services to support them in their day-to-day business - partly through cooperation partners. These include banking, financial and insurance services, further education and networking (GFT Academy), IT/data management services, corporate, tax and legal advice, as well as numerous framework agreements, for example for car procurement.
Member orientation and representation of interests
As part of its business model, GFT, together with the VAF Bundesverband Telekommunikation e.V. , is also involved in representing the interests of its members through communication activities. This is done, for example, through the central negotiation of warranty agreements with the industry, the creation of uniform industry standards for commissioned data processing (in accordance with the DSGVO) and the standardisation of the so-called terms of conditions in accordance with known industry requirements. As a cooperative, GFT has focused primarily on increasing the benefits for its members, the so-called "member value".
The organisational structure
The GFT group includes a location in Hilden (headquarters) as well as the two subsidiaries IPnova AG, Hilden, and GFT Austria GmbH in Vienna-Schwechat. GFT eG assumes almost all central and administrative functions for its subsidiaries. These are essentially the areas of central invoicing, finance, IT and organisation. Furthermore, accounting, personnel management and the joint market presence fall under the umbrella of GFT eG. In addition to the core business of the GFT group of companies, GFT Austria GmbH will in future provide further services for members, such as the conclusion of framework agreements for member companies, legal support and offers relating to consulting, marketing and digital development of member companies. IPnova AG, Hilden, has not yet commenced operational business activities.
GFT makes it possible to reconcile work and family life.
Employees and employee structure
As in the previous financial year, a positive trend can be seen with regard to the average length of service. At GFT eG, this is thirteen years. GFT is committed to training the next generation of employees. The training rate was 8.7 percent.
As of 31st December 2021, GFT eG had a total of 23 employees. The proportion of full-time employees as at 31st December 2021 was 82.6 percent. The proportion of part-time employees increased to 17.4 percent (previous year: 13.0 percent).
GFT set up decentralised work options for all employees at an early stage when the pandemic began. To ensure a smooth transition from the office to home, GFT provided new hardware such as laptops and webcams as well as special software and access at short notice. This enabled uninterrupted work and ensured that our members could be reached at any time. In addition, employees were offered regular in-house SARS-CoV-2 testing.
Reconciling family and career
For GFT, corporate success is decisively based on a committed and strong team. An appreciative corporate culture and flexibility in individual problem-solving are important cornerstones for balancing work and family.