Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim is bringing a breath of fresh air to the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association. Since 1 April 2024, the former Messe Frankfurt manager has been leading an association with over 300 member companies – he will draw his first conclusions at interpack 2026, a time of great challenges.
Exhibitions remain indispensable
The Corona pandemic acted as a litmus test for the importance of in-person trade fairs. „There was a lot of doubt and it was a brief test of reality, what happens if they suddenly disappear,“ explains Schmid-Wiedersheim. „And then it turned out that everyone said, no, we absolutely have to go back there.“
The interpack 2026 confirms this assessment with a positive mood despite challenging framework conditions. Especially in an environment characterised by volatility, industry meeting points for initiating business, exchanging knowledge, and political positioning remain indispensable – an experience that is now also being incorporated into association work.
Take competition from the Far East seriously
The new head of the VDMA sees a need for action regarding German overengineering: „Overengineering is an issue for many, or they simply notice it on the market that they can no longer sell their machines.“ International competitors are catching up technically, he warns. „Arrogance is a bad advisor right now.“
Despite difficult starting conditions – incoming orders fell by 16 percent in January – Schmid-Wiedersheim remains optimistic. He sees his most important task as reducing bureaucracy: „If we manage to remove one or two stumbling blocks or obstacles for our members in 3 years, that would definitely be one of the most important achievements.“
Strengthening European Cooperation
With the establishment of the European umbrella organisation Europarma, the VDMA is focusing on international cooperation. Six nations aim to jointly exert pressure on European authorities and advance political issues – a lever that individual national associations have so far lacked in Brussels.
Schmid-Wiedersheim is therefore stepping into the very large shoes of his predecessor, Richard Clemens, but brings fresh perspectives with him. His focus on reducing bureaucracy, European cooperation, and realistic market assessment could help the sector maintain its leading position – without resting on past successes.
