Stability Over Price Wars: Substantial Energy Supply
Interview with Stefan Harder, Managing Director of E.VITA GmbH
The energy industry is in the midst of transformation: climate objectives, heating transition, digitalization, and volatile markets pose enormous challenges for energy suppliers. E.VITA GmbH from Stuttgart demonstrates how to successfully assert oneself in this dynamic environment – with a clear strategy, spirit of innovation, and a call for more consistency in politics. In the interview, Stefan Harder, Managing Director of E.VITA GmbH, explains how the company has continuously grown since 2009, the hurdles it has had to overcome, and why he remains optimistic about the future despite uncertainties.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Harder, you have been at the helm of E.VITA GmbH since its founding in 2009. What motivated you to enter the liberalized energy market at that time?
Stefan Harder: We saw the opportunities that arose from the market opening. After my studies in business administration and initial positions at Hamburger Gaswerke and in direct marketing, the contact with our current shareholders came about. Together we realized: An independent energy provider can offer a strong alternative to established suppliers with a sustainable business model. That's why we founded E.VITA - and I am still enthusiastically involved to this day.
Wirtschaftsforum: How would you describe E.VITA today?
Stefan Harder: We are a medium-sized energy supplier headquartered in Stuttgart and have a branch in Hamburg. 62 employees handle all processes themselves – from sales and billing to energy procurement and data management. We primarily supply commercial clients and the housing industry throughout Germany; we also target private customers with specialized products such as electric heating systems and heat pumps. The latter are also a central element of our strategy for the future.
Wirtschaftsforum: What are currently the biggest challenges for your company?
Stefan Harder: The biggest challenge for us is the lack of continuity in political energy policy. Investments and strategic decisions require planning security. Unfortunately, we often experience that political decisions are short-sighted and then overturned again. This makes it difficult for us to plan reliably – especially on issues like heat transformation or CO2 charges. Here, we would like a long-term and stable framework.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does digitalization play in this context?
Stefan Harder: A very large one. We rely heavily on the digitalization of our processes. One example is our own AI 'EVI'. Initially, it only took calls, but now it processes incoming inquiries to completion and thus relieves our teams. Also, our customer portal is being modernized as part of a comprehensive relaunch – with the goal of working completely paperless in the future. However, we are taking a step-by-step approach to ensure the quality of customer communication.
Wirtschaftsforum: Many energy suppliers engage in aggressive price wars. How does E.VITA position itself here?
Stefan Harder: Quite clearly: We do not participate in deficit price battles. Already in our early years, we noticed that some providers offered unrealistically low prices – often at the cost of sustainability. Such discounters come and go, while we want to remain reliably in the market for the long term. Therefore, we focus on stable business relationships, especially with small and medium-sized enterprises, and place great value on personal contact rather than mass advertising.
Wirtschaftsforum: What specific products and services do you offer?
Stefan Harder: Our core business remains energy supply – electricity and gas. But we are evolving: Pure commodity distribution has its limits. Therefore, we are expanding our portfolio to include solutions in the area of E-Mobility, Smart Metering, and individual consulting services. Together with partners, we accompany our customers on their journey to become a prosumer, that is, an active producer and consumer of energy. In this way, we want to create added value and actively participate in the energy transition. We will continue to be a reliable partner for our customers, but will develop more from a traditional supplier to a solutions provider. Digitalization and AI will help us streamline processes and serve customers more individually. At the same time, we focus on sustainable energy sources and are expanding our partner network. My wish for politics: clear framework conditions that provide us with planning security. Then we can make an even better contribution to the energy transition.