Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim, the new managing director of the VDMA Food and Packaging Machinery Division, talks about his first impressions and the challenges he faces in his new role. The former trade fair organiser explains why face-to-face meetings remain indispensable despite digitalisation and how the industry must respond to international competition. Schmid-Wiedersheim analyses current market developments, the reduction of bureaucracy as a priority, and the significance of the new European association cooperation Europarma. An honest look at the future of German mechanical engineering between over-engineering and the AI revolution. #interpack #VDMA #Mechanical engineering #Packaging technology #Food technology #Bureaucracy #Digitisation #Europe #KI