Privacy statement

Data-protection information for the website of Wilhelm Schäfer GmbH

Valid from 20 March 2025

Protection of your privacy is very important to us. For this reason, we comply with national and European data protection regulations when processing your data. Personal data as defined in this privacy statement includes all information relating to you, e.g. your name, address, e-mail and IP address, user behaviour.

Through the data-protection information outlined below, we inform you about our processing of your personal data and provide an overview of your privacy rights. The precise data that are processed and the way in which these data will be used in individual cases essentially depend on the services used, applied or agreed.

1.Data protection at a glance

General notes
The following notes give you a simple overview of what happens to your personal data when you visit this website. Personal data are all data that can be personally identified with you. Complete information on data protection can be found in the data protection statement provided after this text.

Data collection on this website

Who is responsible for data collection on this website?
On this website, data is processed by the website owner. You can find their contact data in the section “Note on the responsible party” in this data protection statement.

How do we collect your data?
On the one hand, your data is collected when you communicate it to us. This may be data you’ve entered into a contact form, for example.

Other data are collected automatically by our IT systems after you have consented and are visiting our website. Those are mainly technical data, such as your Internet browser, operating system, or the clock time when you called up the site. These data are collected automatically as soon as you enter this website.

What do we use your data for?
Part of the data are collected to ensure you get a flawless website experience. Other data may be used to analyse your user behaviour. If contacts can be concluded or initiated through the website, the transmitted data are used for contract offerings, orders or other order-related queries.

What are your rights in regard to your data?
You have the right, anytime, free of charge, to receive information on the origin, recipient and purpose of your stored personal data. You also have the right to demand correction or deletion of these data. If you have consented to data processing, you can revoke this consent at any time with future effect. You also have the right, under certain circumstances, to demand that processing of your personal data be limited. Moreover, you have the right to complain to the responsible supervisory authority.

For questions on this or other topics related to data protection, you can contact us at any time.

Analysis tools and tools from third parties
When you visit this website, your browsing behaviour can be statistically evaluated. This especially occurs with what are called analysis programs.

You will find detailed information on these analysis programs in the data protection statement below.

2. Hosting

We host our website content with the following providers:

Host Europe
This provider is Host Europe GmbH, Hansestraße 111, 51149, Cologne, Germany (hereinafter Host Europe). When you visit our website, Host Europe collects various log files, including your IP addresses.

Details can be found in the data protection statement from Host Europe: https://www.hosteurope.de/AGB/Datenschutzerklaerung/.

Use of Host Europe is done on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter f of the GDPR. We have a legitimate interest in the most reliable possible presentation of our website. If corresponding consent has been requested, the processing will be done exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR and Section 25 para. 1 of the Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG), insofar as the consent includes storage of cookies or access to information in the user’s end device (such as for device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Order processing
We have concluded a order processing agreement (AVV) for use of the service mentioned above. This is a contract required by data protection law, which guarantees that our website visitors’ personal data is only processed in accordance with our instructions and in compliance with the GDPR.

3. General information and mandatory information

Data protection
The operators of these pages takes protection of your personal data very seriously. We handle your data confidentially and according to legal data protection regulations, and to this data protection statement.

When you use this website, various personal data are collected. Personal data are data that can be personally identified with you. This data protection statement explains which data we collect and what we use them for. It also explains how and for what purpose this is done.

Please be aware that data transfer over the Internet (such as email communication) can have security leaks. It is not possible to seamlessly protect data from access by third parties.

Note on the responsible party
The party responsible for data processing on this website is:

Wilhelm Schäfer GmbH
Lise-Meitner-Straße 2
D-64646 Heppenheim, Germany

Telefon: +49 (0) 6 252 93 81-0
E-Mail: info(at)wschaefer.de

The responsible party is the natural or legal person who, alone or with others, decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data (such as names, email addresses, etc.).

Storage period
Unless this data protection statement indicates a special storage period, your personal data stay with us until the purpose of the data processing no longer applies. If you make a legitimate request for deletion or withdraw your consent to data processing, your data will be deleted unless we have other legally permissible reasons for storing your personal data (such as retention periods under tax or commercial law); in the latter case, deletion will take place once these reasons no longer apply.

General notes on the legal bases for data processing on this website
If you have consented to data processing, we will process your personal data on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR or Art. 9 para. 2 letter a of the GDPR if special categories of data are processed in accordance with Art. 9 para. 1 of the GDPR. In the case of an explicit consent to the transfer of personal data to third-party countries, the data processing will also be done on the basis of Art. 49 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR. If you have consented to storage of cookies or to access to information on your end device (such as by device fingerprinting), data processing will also be done on the basis of Section 25 para. 1 of TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time. If your data are required to fulfil the contract or to take pre-contractual measures, we will process your data on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter b of the GDPR. Furthermore, we process your data if it is necessary to meet a legal obligation based on Art. 6 para. 1 letter c of the GDPR. Data processing may also be done based on our legitimate interest in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 letter f of the GDPR. The relevant legal bases in each individual case are provided in the following paragraphs of this data protection statement

Data protection officer
We have designated a data protection officer.

Michaela Helbig
Helbig Datenschutz GmbH
Nürnberger Str. 24 c
90518 Altdorf b. Nürnberg

Telefon: 09123- 70275-0
E-Mail: info(at)helbig-datenschutz.de

Recipients of personal data
As part of our business activity, we work with various external parties. In so doing, partial transfer of personal data to these external parties is necessary. We only pass on personal data to external parties if this is necessary to fulfil a contract, if we are legally obliged to do so (such as when passing on data to tax authorities), if we have a legitimate interest in the transfer under Art. 6 para. 1 letter f of the GDPR or if another legal basis permits the data transfer. When using contract processors, we only pass on our customers’ personal data based on a valid contract for order processing. In the case of joint processing, a joint processing agreement will be concluded.

Revoking your consent to data processing
Many data processing operations are possible only with your explicit consent. You can revoke previously given consent at any time. The legality of the data processing prior to revocation is not affected by the revocation.

Right to object to data collection in special cases and to direct advertising (Art. 21 GDPR)
IF THE DATA PROCESSING IS DONE BASED ON ARTICLE 6, PARA. 1, LETTER E OR F OF THE GDPR, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA AT ANY TIME FOR REASONS ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING BASED ON THESE PROVISIONS. YOU CAN FIND THE SPECIFIC LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING IN THIS DATA PROTECTION STATEMENT. IF YOU OBJECT, WE WILL NO LONGER PROCESS YOUR PERSONAL DATA UNLESS WE CAN PROVE COMPELLING LEGITIMATE GROUNDS FOR THE PROCESSING THAT OUTWEIGH YOUR INTERESTS, RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OR THE PROCESSING IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSERTING, EXERCISING OR DEFENDING LEGAL CLAIMS (OBJECTION ACCORDING TO ART. 21 PARA. 1 GDPR).

IF YOUR PERSONAL DATA ARE PROCESSED FOR PURPOSES OF DIRECT MARKETING, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT AT ANY TIME TO THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA CONCERNING YOU FOR PURPOSES OF SUCH ADVERTISING; THIS ALSO APPLIES TO PROFILING IN SO FAR AS IT IS RELATED TO SUCH DIRECT MARKETING. IF YOU SUBMIT YOUR REVOCATION, YOUR PERSONAL DATA WILL THEN NO LONGER BE USED FOR PURPOSES OF DIRECT MARKETING (REVOCATION ACCORDING TO ART. 21 PARA. 2 GDPR).

Right to complain to the responsible supervisory authority
In the case of violations of GDPR, the affected party has the right to complain to the supervisory authority, particularly in the member state of his or her usual residence, workplace or the location of the alleged violation. The right to complain is without prejudice to other administrative or judicial remedies.

Right to data portability
You have the right to have data that we automatically process based on your consent or in fulfilling a contract handed over to you or a third party in a common machine-readable format. If you request transfer of data to a different responsible party, this will occur only to the extent it is technically possible.

Information, correction and deletion
Under the applicable legal provisions, you have the right at any time to information, free of charge, on your stored personal data, its origin and recipients, the purpose of the data processing, and if necessary to correction or deletion of these data. For question on this or other topics regarding personal data, you can contact us at any time.

Right to limit processing
You have the right to demand limits to processing your personal data. You can contact us at any time about this. There is a right to limit processing in the following cases:

If you dispute the correctness of personal data we have stored, we usually need time to inspect it. During the period of inspection, you have the right to demand limits on processing of your personal data.
If processing of your personal data is/was unlawful, instead of deletion, you can demand limits on the data processing.
If we no longer need your personal data, but you require it to exercise, defend or assert legal claims, you have the right to request that processing of your personal data be restricted instead of deleted.
If you have submitted an objection according to Art. 21 para. 1 GDPR, a consideration must be made of your interests versus our interests. If it is not yet clear whose interests prevail, you have the right to demand limits on processing of your personal data.

If you have limited the processing of your personal data, these data may – with the exception of storage – only be processed with your consent or for assertion, exercise or defence of legal claims, or to protect the rights of another natural or legal person, or for reasons of significant public interest of the European Union or a Member State.

SSL or TLS encryption
For security reasons and to protect transfer of confidential content, such as orders or queries that you send to the site operator, this site uses SSL or TLS encryption. You can recognize an encrypted connection when the browser’s address bar changes from “http://” to “https://” and a lock symbol appears in your browser line.

When SSL or TLS encryption is activated, data that you transfer to us cannot be seen by third parties.

Encrypted payment transactions on this website
If, after concluding a paid contract, you are obligated to provide us with your payment details (such as account number for direct debit authorization), these details will be required to process the payment.

Payment transactions using common payment methods (Visa/MasterCard, direct debit) are done exclusively through an encrypted SSL or TLS connection. You can recognize an encrypted connection when the browser’s address bar changes from “http://” to “https://” and a lock symbol appears in your browser line.

During encrypted communication, payment data that you have transmitted to us cannot be read by third parties.

Prohibition on advertising emails
Using contact data published under the obligation to provide a masthead is hereby prohibited for sending unsolicited advertising and information materials. The operators of the pages expressly reserve the right to legal action in the event of unsolicited advertising information being sent, such as through spam emails.

4. Data collection on this website

Cookies
Our web pages use what are called “cookies”. Cookies are small data packets and do not damage the end device. They are stored on your end device either temporarily for the duration of your session (session cookies) or permanently (permanent cookies). Session cookies are automatically deleted after the end of your visit. Permanent cookies remain stored on your end device until you delete them yourself, or until automatic deletion by your web browser.

Cookies may originate with us (first-party cookies) or with third-party companies (third-party cookies). Third-party cookies allow integration of certain services from third-party companies within websites (such as cookies for order processing).

Cookies have various functions. Many cookies are technically necessary, because certain website functions would not work without them (such as the shopping basket function or display of videos). Other cookies may be used to evaluate user behaviour or for advertising purposes.

Cookies that are required for the electronic communication process, to provide certain functions you have requested (such as the shopping basket function) or to optimize the website (such as cookies to measure the web audience) (necessary cookies) are stored based on Art. 6 para. 1 letter f of the GDPR, unless another legal basis is specified. The website operator has a legitimate interest in storing necessary cookies for technically flawless, optimized provision of its services. If consent has been requested for storage of cookies and comparable recognition technologies, processing will be done exclusively based on this consent (Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR and Section 25 para. 1 TDDDG); consent can be revoked at any time.

You can set your browser to have you informed of cookies being set and allow cookies only in individual cases, accept cookies only for certain cases or exclude them in general, and activate automatic deletion of cookies when the browser is closed. If cookies are deactivated, this website’s functionality may be limited.

You can find out from this data protection statement which cookies and services are used on this website.

Consent to the GDPR cookie compliance plugin
Our website uses GDPR cookie compliance plugin consent technology to obtain your consent for storage of specific cookies on your end device or to use certain technologies and to document them in keeping with data protection.

The GDPR cookie compliance plugin is hosted on our servers. The GDPR cookie compliance plugin stores a cookie in your browser to assign the consents or their revocation to you. The data recorded in this way are stored until you ask us to delete them, you delete the cookie yourself or the purpose of the data storage no longer applies. Mandatory statutory retention periods remain unaffected.

The GDPR cookie compliance plugin is used to obtain the legally required consent for use of cookies. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 letter c of the GDPR.

Server log files
The site provider automatically collects and stores information in what are called “server log files” that your browser automatically transfers to us. They are:

Browser type and version
Operating system used
Referrer URL
Host name of the accessing computer
Clock time of server query
IP address

In the web shop, in addition to the log files the following data are also collected:

Length of visit and clicks
Page call-ups
Searches
Basket actions
Checkout process
Order and transaction data
Cancellations
User segmentation
Login data
Loading times
Timeouts
Cancelled requests
Sessions

These data are not merged with data from other sources.

These data are collected on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter f of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in technically flawless presentation and optimization of its website, and for this, server log files must be recorded.

Contact form
When you send us queries through the contact form, we save your data from the query form, including the contact data you provide, for the purpose of processing your enquiry and in case subsequent questions come up. We do not pass these data on without your consent.

These data are processed on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter b of the GDPR, as long as your query is related to fulfilment of a contract or is required for acting on a contract. In all other cases, processing is based on our legitimate interest in effective processing of the queries directed to us (Art. 6 para. 1 letter f of the GDPR) or based on your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 letter a GDPR) if it was requested – consent can be revoked at any time.

The data you have entered into the contact form remain with us until you request we delete it, you revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies (such as after your query has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions – especially retention periods – remain unaffected.

Queries by email, telephone or fax
If you contact us by email, telephone or fax, your query, including all included personal data (name, query) are stored and processed for the purpose of processing your request. We do not pass these data on without your consent.

The data you send us through contact queries remain with us until you request we delete it, you revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose for data storage no longer applies (such as after your request has been processed). Mandatory legal provisions – especially statutory retention periods – remain unaffected.

Registration on this website
You can register on this website to use additional functions. We use the entered data only for purposes of using the respective offering or service that you have registered for. The obligatory data requested at registration must be entered completely. Otherwise, we will decline the request.

For important changes, such as in the scope of the offer or if there are technically necessary changes, we use the email address entered at registration to inform you.

The data entered at registration is processed for the purpose of implementing the user relationship established by registration and, if necessary, for initiating further contracts (Art. 6 para. 1 letter b GDPR).

We store the data entered at registration as long as you are registered at this website, and then they are deleted. Statutory retention periods remain unaffected.

5. Social media

Social media elements with Shariff
This website uses elements from social media (such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, XING, LinkedIn and Tumblr).

The social media elements can usually be recognized by their social media logos. To ensure data protection on this website, we use these elements only together with the “Shariff” solution. Its use prevents social media elements from transferring your personal data to the respective providers when you first enter the site.

Not until you click on the social media element’s button to activate it is a direct connection made to the provider’s server (consent). As soon as you activate the social media element, the respective provider receives the information that you have visited this website with your IP address. If you are logged into your social media account (such as Facebook) at the same time, the respective provider can assign your visit to this website to your user account.

Activation of the plugin represents consent according to Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR and Section 25 para. 1 of the TDDDG. You can revoke this consent at any time with future effect.

This service is used to obtain the legally required consent for use of certain technologies. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 letter c of the GDPR.

Our social media pages

This data protection statement applies to the following social media pages

Data processing through social networks
We maintain publicly accessible profiles in social networks. The individual social networks we use can be found further below.

Social networks like Facebook, X, etc., can comprehensively analyse your user behaviour when you visit their websites or a website with integrated social media content (such as like buttons or advertising banners). Visiting our social media pages triggers many processing operations relevant to data protection. In detail:

If you are logged into your social media account and visit our social media pages, the operator of the social media portal can associate this visit with your user account. Under some circumstances, your personal data cannot be recorded if you have not logged in or do not have an account with the respective social media portal. In this case, for example, this data collection is done through cookies that are stored on your end device or by recording your IP address.

Using data recorded in this way, the operators of the social media portals can create user profiles in which your preferences and interests are stored. In this way, advertising related to your interests can be displayed both inside and out of the respective social media presence. If you have an account with the respective social network, the interest-related advertising can be displayed on any devices you are or have been logged into.

Also please be aware that we cannot trace all processing operations on social media portals. Depending on the provider, therefore, in some situations the operators of the social media portals can perform further processing operations. Details on this can be found in the conditions for use and the data protection provisions of the specific social media portals.

Legal basis
Our social media pages are meant to ensure the most comprehensive presence possible on the Internet. This involves a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 letter f of the GDPR. The analysis processes initiated by the social networks are based, if necessary, on differing legal bases, which must be provided by the operators of the social networks (such as consent within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 letter a GDPR).

Responsible party and assertion of rights
If you visit one of our social media pages (such as on Facebook), we are responsible, along with the operator of the social media platform, for the data processing operations triggered by this visit. Fundamentally, you can assert your rights (such as to information, correction, deletion, restriction of processing, data portability or complaints) either against us or against the operator of the specific social media portal (such as against Facebook).

Please be aware that, despite mutual responsibility with the social media portal operators, we do not have complete influence on the social media portals’ data processing operations. Our options largely depend on the respective provider’s company policy.

Storage period
The data we record directly through the social media presence are deleted from our system as soon as you request deletion, you revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose of the data storage no longer applies. Stored cookies remain on your end device until you delete them. Mandatory legal provisions – especially retention periods – remain unaffected.

We have no influence on the retention period of your data stored by the social network operators for their own purposes. For details, go directly to social network operators (such as to their data protection statement, see below).

Your rights
You have the right, anytime, free of charge, to receive information on the origin, recipient and purpose of your stored personal data. You also have a right to objection, data portability and a right to complain to the responsible supervisory authority. Moreover, you can also demand correction, locking, deletion, and under some circumstances restrictions to processing your personal data.

Social networks in detail

Facebook
We have a profile on Facebook. The provider of this service is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland (hereinafter Meta). According to statements by Meta, the recorded data are also transferred to the US and other third-party countries.

We have concluded an agreement with Meta on mutual processing (Controller Addendum). In this agreement, it is specified which data processing operations we or Meta are responsible for when you visit our Facebook page. You can see this agreement at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/page_controller_addendum.

You can adjust your user settings independently in your account. For that, click on the following link and log in: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads.

Data transfer to the US is based on the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses. You can find details here: https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum und https://de-de.facebook.com/help/566994660333381.

Details can be found in the data protection statement from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/.

The company has certification under the “EU-US Privacy Framework” (DPF). The DPF is an accord between the European Union and the United States that is meant to ensure adherence to European data protection standards for data processing in the US. Each DPF-certified company is obligated to adhere to these data protection standards. More information can be obtained from the provider at this link: https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/participant/4452

Instagram
We have a profile on Instagram. The provider of this service is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, D04 X2K5, Ireland.

Details on the handling of your personal data can be found in Instagram’s data protection statement: https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy/.

LinkedIn
We have a profile on LinkedIn. The provider is LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland. LinkedIn uses advertising cookies.

If you want to deactivate LinkedIn advertising cookies, please use this link: https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out.

Data transfer to the US is based on the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses. You can find details here: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/l/dpa und https://www.linkedin.com/legal/l/eu-sccs.

Details on the handling of your personal data can be found in LinkedIn’s data protection statement: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy.

6. Analysis tools and advertising

Google Tag Manager
We use Google Tag Manager. The provider is Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Tag Manager is a tool used to integrate tracking or statistics tools and other technologies on our website. Google Tag Manager itself does not create any user profiles, does not store cookies and does not do any analyses on its own. It serves only for administration and distribution of the tools integrated through it. However, Google Tag Manager records your IP address, which can also be transmitted to Google’s parent company in the United States.

Use of Google Tag Manager is done on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter f of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in fast, simple integration of various tools on its website. If corresponding consent has been requested, the processing will be done exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR and Section 25 para. 1 of the Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG), insofar as the consent includes storage of cookies or access to information in the user’s end device (such as for device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Google Analytics
This website uses functions of the web analysis service Google Analytics. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Analytics allows the website operator to analyse the website visitor’s behaviour. Through this, the website operator receives various usage data, such as page views, dwell time, operating system used, and location of the user. These data are assigned to the user’s respective end device. No assignment is made to a user ID.

Moreover, Google Analytics can record your mouse and scroll movements and clicks, among other things. Furthermore, Google Analytics uses various modelling approaches to supplement the recorded data sets and uses machine learning technologies in analysing data.

Google Analytics uses technologies that allow recognition of the user for purposes of analysis of user behaviour (such as cookies or device fingerprinting). The information recorded by Google about use of this website is generally transferred to a Google server in the United States and stored there.

The use of this service is based on your consent according to Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR and Section 25 para. 1 of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the US is based on the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses. You can find details here: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/controllerterms/mccs/.

IP anonymization
Google Analytics IP anonymization is activated. This means that your IP address will be shortened by Google within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states to the Agreement on the European Economic Area before being transmitted to the US. Only in exceptional cases is the full IP address transferred to a Google server in the USA and shortened there. On behalf of the operator of this website, Google will use this information to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity and to provide the website operator with other services relating to website activity and Internet usage. The IP address of your browser transmitted by Google Analytics is not combined with other data from Google.

Browser plugin
You can prevent Google from recording and processing your data by downloading and installing the browser plugin available at this link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de.

You can find more information about how Google Analytics handles user data in Google’s data protection statement: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=de.

Demographic characteristics in Google Analytics
This website uses the function “demographic characteristics” from Google Analytics to display suitable advertising within the Google advertising network. This can create reports that contain statements on the site visitor’s age, gender and interests. These data originate from interest-related advertising from Google and from visitor data from third-party providers. These data cannot be assigned to any specific person. You can deactivate this function at any time through the display settings in your Google account or generally forbid collection of your data by Google Analytics as in the point “Objection to data collection”.

Order processing
We have concluded a contract for order processing with Google and fully implement the strict specifications of the German data protection authorities in using Google Analytics.

Google Ads
The website operator uses Google Ads. Google Ads is an online advertising programme of Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Ads allows us to display advertisements in the Google search engine or on third-party websites if the user enters certain search terms at Google (keyword targeting). Moreover, targeted advertisements can be displayed based on user data available in Google (such as location data and interests) (audience targeting). As website operator, we can evaluate these data quantitatively, for example, by analysing which search terms have led to display of our advertisements and how many displays have led to corresponding clicks.

The use of this service is based on your consent according to Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR and Section 25 para. 1 of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the US is based on the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses. You can find details here: https://policies.google.com/privacy/frameworks and here https://business.safety.google/controllerterms/.

Google AdSense
This website uses Google AdSense, a service for integrating advertisements. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Using Google AdSense, we can have targeted advertisements from third-party companies inserted onto our site. The content of the advertisements is aimed at your interests as Google has determined from your previous user behaviour. Moreover, in selecting the appropriate advertisement, context information, such as your location, the content of websites visited and Google search terms you have entered are considered.

Google AdSense uses cookies, web beacons (invisible graphics) and comparable recognition technologies. With these, information on visitor traffic to this site can be evaluated.

The information recorded by Google AdSense about use of this website (including your IP address) and delivery of advertising formats is generally transferred to a Google server in the United States and stored there. This information may be passed on by Google to its contractual partners. However, Google will not combine your IP address with other data you have stored.

The use of this service is based on your consent according to Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR and Section 25 para. 1 of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the US is based on the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses. You can find details here: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/controllerterms/mccs/.

Meta-Pixel (previously Facebook Pixel)
This website uses a visitor reaction pixel for conversion measurement. The provider of this service is Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland. According to statements by Meta, however, the recorded data are also transferred to the US and other third-party countries.

This allows the behaviour of site visitors to be tracked after they have been redirected to the provider’s website by clicking on a meta ad. This allows the effectiveness of Meta ads to be evaluated for statistical and market research purposes and future advertising measures to be optimized.

The captured data are anonymous to us as operator of this website; we can reach no conclusions as to the identity of the user. However, the data are stored and processed by Meta, so that a connection to the respective user profile at Facebook or Instagram is possible, and Meta can use the data for its own advertising purposes according to the Meta data usage guidelines (https://de-de.facebook.com/about/privacy/). This allows Meta to place advertisements on Facebook or Instagram pages and other advertising channels. As the site operator, we have no influence over this use of data.

The use of this service is based on your consent according to Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR and Section 25 para. 1 of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

To the extent that personal data are collected on our website using the tool described here and forwarded to Meta, we and Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland, are jointly responsible for this data processing (Art. 26 GDPR). The joint responsibility is limited to collection of the data and its forwarding to Meta. Processing that occurs after forwarding to Meta is not part of the joint responsibility. Our joint obligations have been set forth in a joint processing agreement. The wording of the agreement can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/legal/controller_addendum. According to this agreement, we are responsible for providing the data protection information when using the Meta tool and for implementing the tool on our website in compliance with data protection law. Meta is responsible for the data security of Meta products. You can assert your data subject rights (such as requests for information) regarding the data processed by Facebook or Instagram directly with Meta. If you assert your data subject rights with us, we are obligated to forward them to Meta.

Data transfer to the US is based on the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses. You can find details here: https://www.facebook.com/legal/EU_data_transfer_addendum and here https://de-de.facebook.com/help/566994660333381.

In Meta’s data protection notice, you can find further information on protection of your privacy: https://de-de.facebook.com/about/privacy/.

You can also deactivate the “Custom Audiences” remarketing function in the settings area for advertisements at https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences/?entry_product=ad_settings_screen For this, you need to be logged into Facebook.

If you do not have a Facebook or Instagram account, you can deactivate of Meta’s usage-based advertising at the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance website: http://www.youronlinechoices.com/de/praferenzmanagement/.

7. Newsletter

Newsletter data
If you would like to receive the newsletter offered on the website, we require an email address from you as well as information that allows us to verify that you are the owner of the specified email address and that you agree to receive the newsletter. Further data are not collected or are only collected on a voluntary basis. For processing the newsletter, we use the newsletter service providers described below.

Mailchimp with deactivated performance measurement
This website uses the services of Mailchimp for sending the newsletters. The provider is Rocket Science Group LLC, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Suite 5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA.

Mailchimp is a service through which dispatch of newsletters can be organized, among other things. If you enter data for the purpose of subscribing to the newsletter (e.g. email address), this will be stored on Mailchimp’s servers in the United States. We have deactivated performance measurement at Mailchimp, so that Mailchimp will not evaluate your behaviour when opening our newsletters.

If you do not want your data to be transferred to Mailchimp, you must unsubscribe to the newsletter. In every newsletter, we provide a link for this.

The data processing is based on your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 letter a GDPR). You can revoke this consent at any time by unsubscribing to the newsletter. The legality of the data processing already occurred is not affected by the revocation.

The data you provide to us for subscribing to the newsletter will be stored by us or the newsletter service provider until you unsubscribe from the newsletter and will be deleted from the newsletter distribution list after you unsubscribe from the newsletter. Data we have stored for other purposes are not affected by this.

Data transfer to the US is based on the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses. Details can be found here: https://mailchimp.com/eu-us-data-transfer-statement/ and https://mailchimp.com/legal/data-processing-addendum/#Annex_C_-_Standard_Contractual_Clauses.

After you unsubscribe from the newsletter distribution list, your email address may be stored on a blacklist by us or the newsletter service provider if this is necessary to prevent future mailings. The data from the blacklist are used only for this purpose and are not combined with other data. This serves both your interest and our interest in complying with legal requirements when sending newsletters (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 letter f GDPR). Storage in the blacklist has no time limit.You can object to the storage, as long as your interests outweigh our legitimate interest.

More details can be found in Mailchimp’s data protection provisions: https://mailchimp.com/legal/terms/.

8. Plugins and tools

YouTube with extended data protection
This website integrates YouTube videos. The website’s operator is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

When you visit a website that includes YouTube integration, a connection is made to YouTube’s servers. YouTube is notified of which of our pages you have visited. If you are logged into your YouTube account, you allow YouTube to assign your browsing behaviour directly to your personal profile. You can prevent this by logging out of your YouTube account.

We use YouTube in extended data protection mode. Videos that are displayed in extended data protection mode are not used for customizing your browsing on YouTube, according to YouTube. Advertisements displayed in extended data protection mode are also not customized. No cookies are set in extended data protection mode. Instead, what are called local storage elements are stored in the user’s browser, which, similar to cookies, contain personal data and can be used for recognition. Details on extended data protection mode can be found here: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/171780.

In some cases, after a YouTube video is activated, further data processing operations are triggered that we have no influence on.

YouTube is used for appealing presentation of our online offerings. This represents a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 letter f of the GDPR. If corresponding consent has been requested, the processing will be done exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR and Section 25 para. 1 of the Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG), insofar as the consent includes storage of cookies or access to information in the user’s end device (such as for device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Further information on data protection at YouTube can be found in its data protection statement: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

Google Fonts (local hosting)
For uniform representation of type styles, this site uses Google Fonts, which are provided by Google. Google Fonts are installed locally. No connection to Google’s servers takes place.

More information on Google Fonts can be found at https://developers.google.com/fonts/faq and in Google’s data protection statement: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

Google Maps
This site uses the Google Maps map service. The provider is Google Ireland Limited (“Google”), Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland. This service allows us to integrate map material on our website.

To use the functions of Google Maps, it is necessary to store your IP address. This information is generally transferred to a Google server in the United States and stored there. The provider of this site has no influence on this data transfer. When Google Maps is activated, Google can use Google Fonts for the purpose of uniform display of typefaces. When Google Maps is called up, your browser loads the necessary web fonts into your browser cache to show texts and typefaces correctly.

Google Maps is used for appealing presentation of our online offerings and for easy location of the places we specify on the website. This represents a legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 letter f of the GDPR. If corresponding consent has been requested, the processing will be done exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR and Section 25 para. 1 of the Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG), insofar as the consent includes storage of cookies or access to information in the user’s end device (such as for device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

Data transfer to the US is based on the EU Commission’s standard contractual clauses. You can find details here: https://privacy.google.com/businesses/gdprcontrollerterms/ and here https://privacy.google.com/businesses/gdprcontrollerterms/sccs/.

More information on how user data is handled can be found in Google’s data protection statement: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=de.

Leadinfo
We have integrated Leadinfo into this website. The provider is Leadinfo / Team.Blue GmbH, Bunsenstr. 19, 40215 Dusseldorf (hereinafter “Leadinfo”).

Leadinfo enables us to record visits to our website from members of other companies. For this purpose, the website visitor’s IP address is compared to Leadinfo’s company database of saved corporate IP addresses. If it is a company’s IP address, this visit and the user behaviour are recorded. IP addresses that are not in Leadinfo’s database are immediately deleted, so that Leadinfo will ignore website visits by private individuals.

Use of Leadinfo is done on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter f of the GDPR. The website operator has a legitimate interest in recording company visits to our website and their user behaviour. If corresponding consent has been requested, the processing will be done exclusively on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR and Section 25 para. 1 of the Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG), insofar as the consent includes storage of cookies or access to information in the user’s end device (e.g. for device fingerprinting) within the meaning of the TDDDG. Consent can be revoked at any time.

More details can be found in the provider’s data protection statement:
https://www.leadinfo.com/de/datenschutz/.

9. eCommerce and payment providers

Processing customer and contract data
We collect, process and use personal customer and contract data to establish, organize and modify our contractual relationships. We collect, process and use personal data about the use of this website (usage data) only to the extent necessary to enable the user to use the service or to bill them. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 letter b of the GDPR.

The collected customer data will be deleted after completion of the order or termination of the business relationship and expiry of any existing statutory retention periods. Statutory retention periods remain unaffected.

Data transfer upon conclusion of contract for online shops, retailers and dispatch of goods
When you order goods from us, we will pass your personal data on to the transport company entrusted with the delivery and to the payment service provider engaged for processing the payment. The only data issued is that which the service provider needs to fulfil its task. The legal basis for this is Art. 6 para. 1 letter b of the GDPR, which allows processing of data for fulfilling a contract or pre-contractual measures. If you have given your consent under Art. 6 para. 1 letter a of the GDPR, we will pass on your email address on to the transport company responsible for delivery so that they can inform you by email about the shipping status of your order. You can revoke your consent at any time.

Using our web shop
If you wish to order from our web shop, concluding the contract requires that you provide the personal information we need to process your order. Obligatory data for processing contracts is specially marked; other information is voluntary. We process the data you have provided for processing your order. For this, we may forward your payment data to our company’s bank.
We may also process the data you provide to inform you of other interesting products from our portfolio or to send you emails with technical information. In addition, we use the data for analysis to understand how our services and offers are used and to develop product improvements based on this.

Due to commercial and tax law requirements, we are obliged to store your address, payment and order data for a period of 10 years. However, after two years we restrict processing, i.e. your data will only be used to comply with legal obligations.

To prevent unauthorized third-party access to your personal data, especially financial data, the ordering process is encrypted using TLS technology.

Using our dealer portal
If you wish to use our portal, you must register with the following personal data:

Email address
Your own selected password

We use the “double opt-in” procedure for registration, that is, your registration is only complete once you have confirmed your registration by clicking a link in a confirmation email sent to you for this purpose. If you do not confirm this within 24 hours, your registration will automatically be deleted from our database. Providing the aforementioned data is mandatory; you can provide all other information voluntarily by using our portal.

When you use our portal, we store that of your data required to fulfil the contract, including information on your payment method, until you permanently delete your access. Furthermore, we will store the voluntary data you provide for the duration of your use of the portal, unless you delete it beforehand. You can manage and change all information in the protected customer area.

To prevent unauthorized third-party access to your personal data, especially financial data, the connection is encrypted using TLS technology.

Order processing by drop shipping
If you order goods from us, it is possible that your order will be shipped directly to you from our retailers (drop shipping). For this purpose, we will forward your name, delivery address and – if necessary for delivery – your telephone number to the shipping company. This forwarding is done only for the purpose of delivering the goods.

The legal basis for data processing is Art. 6 para. 1 letter b GDPR (fulfilment of the contract) and our legitimate interest in the fastest, most effective purchase processing possible within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 letter f GDPR.

10. Audio and video conferences

Data processing
We use online conference tools, among others, to communicate with our customers. The individual tools we use are listed below. If you communicate with us by video or audio conference over the Internet, your personal data will be collected and processed by us and by the provider of the respective conference tool.

The conference tools collect all data that you provide/use to use the tools (email address and/or your telephone number). Furthermore, the conference tools process the duration of the conference, the beginning and end (time) of participation in the conference, the number of participants and other “context information” related to the communication process (metadata).

Furthermore, the provider of the tool processes all technical data necessary to process online communication. This includes in particular IP addresses, MAC addresses, device IDs, device type, operating system type and version, client version, camera type, microphone or speaker and the type of connection.

If content is exchanged, uploaded or otherwise made available within the tool, this will also be stored on the servers of the tool providers. Such content includes, but is not limited to, cloud recordings, chat/instant messages, voicemails, uploaded photos and videos, files, whiteboards, and other information shared while using the Service.

Please note that we do not have complete influence on the data processing operations of the tools used. Our options largely depend on the respective provider’s company policy. Further information on data processing by the conference tools can be found in the privacy statements of the tools used, which we have listed below this text.

Purpose and legal basis
The conference tools are used to communicate with prospective or existing contractual partners or to offer certain services to our customers (Art. 6 para. 1 letter b GDPR). Furthermore, the use of the tools generally simplifies and accelerates communication with us or our company (legitimate interest within the meaning of Art. 6 para. 1 letter f GDPR). If consent has been requested, the use of the relevant tools will be based on this consent; this consent can be revoked at any time with future effect.

Storage period
The data we record directly through the video and conference tools are deleted from our system as soon as you request deletion, you revoke your consent to storage, or the purpose of the data storage no longer applies. Stored cookies remain on your end device until you delete them. Legally mandatory retention periods remain unaffected.

We have no influence on the storage period of your data stored by the conference tool operators for their own purposes. For details, go directly to the operators of the conference tools.

Conference tools used
We use the following conference tools:

Microsoft Teams
We use Microsoft Teams. The provider is Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, One Microsoft Place, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland. Details on data processing can be found in the data protection statement from Microsoft Teams: https://privacy.microsoft.com/de-de/privacystatement.

11. Internal services

Handling applicant data
We offer you the opportunity to apply to us (such as by email, post or online application form). Below, we will inform you of the scope, purpose and use of your personal data collected as part of the application process. We assure you that the collection, processing and use of your data will be done according to applicable data protection law and all other legal provisions, and that your data will be treated with strict confidentiality.

Scope and purpose of data collection
If you send us an application, we will process your associated personal data (such as contact and communication data, application documents, notes taken during job interviews, etc.) to the extent necessary to decide on establishment of an employment relationship. The legal basis for this is Section 26 BDSG under German law (initiation of an employment relationship), Art. 6 para. 1 letter b GDPR (general contract initiation) and – if you have given your consent – Art. 6 para. 1 letter a GDPR. Consent can be revoked at any time. Your personal data will only be forwarded within our company to people who are involved in processing your application.

If your application is successful, the data you submit will be stored in our data processing systems on the basis of Section 26 BDSG and Art. 6 para. 1 letter b GDPR for the purpose of conducting the employment relationship.

Data retention period
If we are unable to make you a job offer, if you reject a job offer or withdraw your application, we reserve the right to retain the data you have submitted for up to 6 months from the end of the application process (rejection or withdrawal of the application) based on our legitimate interests (Art. 6 para. 1 letter f GDPR). Then the data will be deleted and the physical application documents destroyed. Retention mainly is for evidence purposes in the event of a lawsuit. If it is apparent that the data will be required after the end of the 6-month period (such as due to an impending or pending lawsuit), deletion will only take place when the purpose for further storage no longer applies.

Longer storage may also take place if you have given your consent (Art. 6 para. 1 letter a GDPR) or if statutory retention periods prevent deletion.

Inclusion in the applicant pool
If we do not make you a job offer, we may be able to add you to our applicant pool. If you are accepted, all documents and information from your application will be added to the applicant pool so that we can contact you if suitable vacancies arise.

Inclusion in the applicant pool is based solely on your explicit consent (Art. 6 para. 1 letter a GDPR). Your consent is voluntary and has no connection to the ongoing application process. The affected party can revoke his consent at any time. In this case, the data will be irrevocably deleted from the applicant pool unless there are legal reasons for retention.

The data from the applicant pool will be irrevocably deleted no later than two years after consent has been given.

1.Data protection at a glance

2. Hosting

3. General information and mandatory information

4. Data collection on this website

5. Social media

6. Analysis tools and advertising

7. Newsletter

8. Plugins and tools

9. eCommerce and payment providers

10. Audio and video conferences

11. Internal services

Legal

Company

Service

Takeuchi