{"id":115880,"date":"2026-05-10T17:16:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T17:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?post_type=vimeo-video&p=115880"},"modified":"2026-05-12T10:50:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T08:50:56","slug":"digitalisation-and-collaboration-as-key-martin-buchwitz-packaging-valley-interpack-2026","status":"publish","type":"vimeo-video","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/vimeo-video\/digitalisierung-und-kollaboration-als-schluessel-martin-buchwitz-packaging-valley-interpack-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Digitalisation and Collaboration as Key: Martin Buchwitz, Packaging Valley | interpack 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The German packaging machinery industry is facing important turning points. Martin Buchwitz, Managing Director of Packaging Valley Germany e.V., draws a differentiated assessment of the sector at interpack 2026 and outlines strategic areas for action.<\/p>\n

Digitalisation project with Bayer<\/h3>\n

A highlight of the trade fair appearance is the new digitalisation project with Bayer AG. \u201eThese operators of pharmaceutical machinery simply have the problem that production lines typically consist of machines from a wide variety of manufacturers, and they need to be able to communicate with each other effectively,\u201c explains Buchwitz.<\/p>\n

The project aims to separate process and usage data in order to implement new functionalities, such as AI, without having to carry out complex validations. This is a crucial lever, especially in the highly regulated pharmaceutical environment, for bringing innovation to market with reasonable effort.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n

Strategic realignment against Asian competition<\/h3>\n

Despite its still strong market position, Buchwitz sees a need for action: \u201eSimply hoping that things continue as they are at the moment, that won't work.\u201c Competition from Asia is moving at a pace that \u201esometimes makes you a bit dizzy\u201c. German mechanical engineers need to move away from a pure high-end focus and also serve the growing market for \u201egood enough machines\u201c.<\/p>\n

The Packaging Valley is therefore intensifying its focus on management topics and cooperations. \u201eWe are very strongly oriented towards this C-level,\u201c says Buchwitz. Spontaneous cooperations between member companies are already emerging at the joint trade fair stand. \u201eThings happen there quite naturally, which we of course also wish for, because that is a key aspect of what we do as a network.\u201c<\/p>