Joachim Dittrich has been Chief Representative of the Optima Consumer Division since February 2018. The mechanical engineer is responsible for the development and internationalisation of the division and other subsidiaries and holdings.
In addition to strategic orientation and further development, his area of responsibility includes the realisation of potential and synergies.
pj: Mr Dittrich, what are the current priorities? in your area of responsibility?
Joachim Dittrich: Optima supplies outstanding packaging solutions for many different market segments. Due to the progressive Internationalisation and the changed individual consumer behaviour these are subject to constant change - especially in the age of digitalisation. Systematically analysing and interpreting these changes and deriving the right solutions from them is currently one of the focal points of our work. In order to avoid making mistakes here, we seek intensive dialogue with our customers and partners.
pj: What particular challenges did you personally face last year?
Joachim Dittrich: Starting a new job is always a challenge. It takes some time to familiarise yourself with your colleagues, processes and, above all, the „DNA“ of a company has got to know and understand the company. Recognising strengths and weaknesses is extremely important for the strategic development of the company. The fact that I was already Managing Director at Optima Consumer from 2010 to 2011 helped me a lot in this respect.
pj: How do you assess the economic situation?
Joachim Dittrich: To put it mildly, the global political order is being put to the test. This is resulting in economic changes in some regions of the world, and not just for the better. The takeover and merger of more and more companies on the customer and supplier side is also changing our industry. We need to be very vigilant here and keep an eye on the Development of the market environment intensively.
pj: What effects do you expect for Optima Consumer?
Joachim Dittrich: As a broad-based, internationally active company, we are used to being confronted with changing circumstances. Optima is very flexible and in a position to adapt, Agile decisions to bring about. I therefore assume that we will not feel any major effects but - on the contrary - see opportunities for us. It is important to constantly adapt to these changes and find solutions for new trends.
pj: What do you see as the most important tasks and trends in the industry?
Joachim Dittrich: Our personal purchasing behaviour is changing, and this is resulting in new customer requirements. The Key topic: sustainability we have to take a focussed approach. But also the Traceability of productsn is becoming increasingly important. In addition, time-to-market, flexibility and agility are becoming increasingly important. It is important to respond to this technologically and develop appropriate packaging solutions. Advancing digitalisation and advanced automation technologies are constantly giving rise to new solutions for optimising production systems and providing optimum operator support.
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