L 314/62 Official Journal of the European Communities 18.11.2002 COMMISSION DECISION of 30 January 2002 on the State aid implemented by Germany for Gothaer Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH (notified under document number C(2002) 316) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2002/896/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provisions cited above (!) and having regard to their comments, Whereas: A. PROCEDURE By letter dated 19 May 1998, Germany provided the Commission with information on aid that had already been granted to Gothaer Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH (hereinafter called Gotha Technik). The case was registered under No NN 64/98. By letter dated 28 May 2001, the Commission informed Germany that it had initiated the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of a grant of DEM 3,655 million by the Bundesanstalt fiir vereinigungsbedingte Sonderaufgaben (hereinafter called the BvS). It also ordered Germany to provide it with all such information as was necessary to enable it to examine the compatibility of the grants made under the relevant scheme. The Commission's decision to initiate the Article 88(2) procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (3). In it the Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments. The firm in receipt of the aid commented by letter dated 27 June () O] C 211, 28.7.2001, p. 2. (3 See footnote 1. 2001. The comments were forwarded to Germany by letter dated 11 July 2001. By letter dated 25 July 2001, Germany expressed its agreement with the comments. Germany submitted its comments by letter dated 6 July 2001. By letter dated 1 October 2001, the Commission put a number of questions, which Germany answered by letter dated 17 October 2001. B. DESCRIPTION Gotha Technik is active in the welding of fine-grained steel and produces booms and jibs for mobile cranes. It also runs a training centre for welders. The company is located in a region eligible for aid under Article 87(3)(a) of the EC Treaty. According to the information provided, it qualifies as an SME (3). I. Background In 1990 ownership of VEB Kraftfahrzeugwerk Gotha was transferred to the Treuhandanstalt and the firm was converted into a company with limited liability, Gothaer Fahrzeugwerk GmbH (hereinafter called old Gotha). At that time, it produced, repaired and sold vehicles and vehicle components of the Wartburg type. At the end of 1994, old Gotha was privatised along with seven other companies by being placed under the ownership of Lintra Beteiligungsholding GmbH. Its results were unsatisfactory, however, even after privatisation, as can be seen from the following table: (DEM million): Year 1994 1995 1996 1997 Turnover 55500 113 000 48 200 48 615 Profit -13 900 500 -12 400 -5636 Staff costs 387 388 383 362 (*) Community guidelines on State aid for small and medium-sized enterprises, O] C 213, 23.7.1996, p. 4.