Umbrella organisations can organise a large number of sectors in order to represent as broad a spectrum as possible and are of great importance for political dialogue. These include, for example, the ZVEI - Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e. V. (German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association). (www.zvei.org), to which the HKI is affiliated as a cooperation member, the BDI - Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e. V. (Federal Association of German Industry). (www.bdi.eu) or Orgalim (www.orgalim.eu), which represents the technology industry at European level.     

Alternatively the umbrella organisations unite their own industry, but on an international level. Particularly worth mentioning here are EFCEM - European Federation of Catering Equipment Manufacturers (www.efcem.info), in which the national industry associations for the manufacturers of catering equipment are organised at European level, or C.E.F.A.C.D - Comité Européen den Fabricats de Chauffage et de Cuisine Domestiques (www.cefacd.eu), in which the manufacturers of fireplaces have joined forces at European level. HKI is a member of both bodies.

On the one hand, membership in umbrella organisations enables the HKI to gather information that is relevant to its members on as broad a basis as possible. And on the other hand, it is often helpful in the political opinion-forming process to bundle interests and to speak with one voice