Ian Piepenbrock's Linkedin Analytics

As a founder of Gobsmacked® creative agency and Gobsmacked® video, I'm using my decade-long experience of building and growing industrial brands to spark Europe's industrial renaissance. Here's why: Europe has long been a powerhouse of industry and innovation, providing the world with countless inventions, technologies, and high-quality goods. However, recent years have seen a troubling trend of deindustrialization, with fewer young people pursuing careers in technical and manual crafts. This not only threatens our economic stability but also undermines the essential human flourishing that comes from meaningful work and craftsmanship. According to Eurostat, the percentage of GDP contributed by the industrial sector in the EU has declined from 22.2% in 2000 to 19.3% in 2020. The number of students pursuing vocational education and training in the EU has also decreased by 7% between 2005 and 2019. These trends highlight the urgency of reigniting the European industrial sector and inspiring the next generation to embrace technology and innovation. At Gobsmacked®, we believe that the key to this revival lies in building and promoting strong industrial brands. We recognize that the current focus on sustainability and environmentalism can sometimes overshadow the incredible contributions of these industries to our quality of life, labor, and overall human well-being. We believe that it is vital to celebrate the rich European heritage and the role industrial brands play in driving human flourishing.