- For the first time, companies of Schwarz Group join German armed forces exercise on civil-military cooperation
- Stress test for supply chains in real-world conditions
- Protecting critical infrastructure through cross-divisional collaboration
The success of crisis preparedness depends on close cooperation between the public and private sectors. As operators of critical infrastructure and some of Europe’s largest providers of essential services, the companies of Schwarz Group are participating in Red Storm Charlie, a civil-military exercise taking place in Hamburg from September 24 to 26, 2026. The aim is to test the resilience of supply chains and crisis management teams under extreme crisis conditions.
“The threat landscape has evolved. Reliable essential services and secure digital infrastructure are now crucial to Europe’s sovereignty,” says Harald Mannheim, Head of Defence at Schwarz Digits. “By taking part in Red Storm Charlie, the companies of Schwarz Group are leveraging their unique ecosystem to take responsibility and are putting civil-military cooperation to the test. We are ensuring a quick and reliable response together with our government and civilian partners, even in crisis situations.”
Ecosystem of the Companies of Schwarz Group: Contributing to Crisis Preparedness
Consolidated within the Schwarz Digits Defence business unit, the participation of the companies of Schwarz Group spans multiple divisions.
- Crisis management team in action: Schwarz Corporate Security is responsible for the crisis management team personnel, supported by Lidl in Germany and Kaufland to rehearse secure procedures in the event of blackouts or crisis situations.
- Supplying key hubs: Lidl in Germany is responsible for emergency logistics and for supplying water, produced by Schwarz Produktion, at central locations during the exercise.
- Circular economy on the ground: PreZero is providing professional recyclable materials management on site at the supply points.
The companies of Schwarz Group are not only strengthening the resilience of Europe’s digital infrastructure. They are also proving to be a reliable partner in civil-military cooperation, working together to put their capabilities to the test.
