Dr Andreas Pleßke was confirmed as Chairman of the drupa Committee. The strategic reorientation of the world's leading trade fair for printing technologies focuses on innovations, new target groups and knowledge transfer.
At the constituent meeting of the drupa committee on 5 February 2025, Dr Andreas Pleßke, CEO of Koenig & Bauer AG, was re-elected as chairman of the committee. Wolfgang Poppen, Managing Partner of Freiburger Druck GmbH & Co. KG and President of the Bundesverband Druck und Medien e.V., remains Deputy Chairman. Both were elected unanimously.
„It is a special honour for me as Chairman of the drupa Committee to continue to play an active role in shaping the development of drupa. The world is changing rapidly - both technologically and politically. Together with the committee, we will ensure that drupa continues to develop in order to maintain its leading position as the world's leading trade fair for printing technologies in the future and to orientate the industry towards the future,“ explained Drupa's Chairman. Dr Andreas Pleßke after his re-election.
Also Wolfgang Poppen emphasised: „drupa is the heart of the industry, a place of innovations and technology premieres. The coming months will be used intensively to further sharpen the positioning of drupa 2028.“
Strategic realignment and new members
In order to make drupa fit for the future, a strategy process has been initiated to address new target groups and intensify the transfer of knowledge within the industry. In addition to the proven trade fair format, innovative concepts will further strengthen networking within the industry. Brand owners and multipliers in particular will be more closely involved in future.
Four new members were admitted to the committee:
- Markus Hoffmann (Leonhard Kurz Foundation & Co. KG, VDMA)
- Marcel Martens (HP Industrial Printing)
- Thomas Heininger (MBO Postpress Solutions GmbH, Komori International Europe)
- Peter Voigt (Perfecta Schneidemaschinenwerk GmbH)
Focus on forward-looking technology trends
A central component of the new strategy is the identification and presentation of relevant technology trends. Topics such as artificial intelligence, automation, sustainable printing processes and digital transformation remain at the centre of the trade fair agenda.
With great commitment and a clear vision, drupa and its committee are preparing the central course for drupa 2028. The next phase begins in twelve months with the official exhibitor registration.
The drupa committee: driving force in the industry
The drupa committee was founded in 1951 and is made up of members from the exhibitor and visitor sides. It advises Messe Düsseldorf on the conceptual and strategic development of the leading trade fair. Personal dialogue with leading experts and multipliers in the industry plays a special role in view of the ongoing changes in the sector.
Among others are represented:
- Printing and Paper Technology Association in VDMA e.V.
- Bundesverband Druck und Medien e.V.
- Paper processing trade associations
- DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE e.V.
- Association of the German Paint and Printing Ink Industry e.V.
- DFTA Flexo Printing Trade Association e.V.
drupa 2028 will therefore continue to focus on close cooperation with the key players in the industry in order to actively shape the future of printing technologies.
Source: Düsseldorf Trade Fair Centre
