Exhibitor voices on interpack 2017

KHS GmbH, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Niemeyer, Chairman of the Management Board

"With its international orientation, interpack is always a highlight for KHS. This year, we presented an absolute world innovation: a block solution consisting of packaging and palletizing machines. We can't imagine a better framework for this than interpack. The trade fair meets our expectations, as it allows us to conduct a variety of promising discussions."

Haas Food Equipment GmbH, Irene Kapaun, Manager Communication & Public Relations

"interpack is a fixed component for Haas. We develop our machines on a three-year cycle, aligned with interpack. Here, we showcase our latest innovations to our existing and new customers, many of whom were present this year. It’s simply a huge advantage that everyone meets here, whether on the customer side or among the employees, and of course, it’s a very nice occasion to meet people with whom we otherwise only communicate via email or phone. We were very satisfied with the visitors this year and were able to sign many contracts. In short: machines are sold here."

Robert Bosch Packaging Technology GmbH, Christa Moedinger, Director Marketing & Communications

"Bosch has been closely linked to interpack from the very beginning. It is a marketplace for the entire industry worldwide and simultaneously sets the innovation cycle for companies. At Bosch, the broad range of new developments is also aligned with the three-year cycle of the world’s leading trade fair for packaging technology and processes. On 3,500 square meters of exhibition space, with an open and inviting stand concept, we focused even more this year on complete solutions from a single source and a broad Industry 4.0 approach. And this is well received by the audience. Visitor numbers again in 2017 are pleasantly high—the quality of the international audience remains at a very high level."

Theegarten-Pactec, Markus Rustler, Managing Partner

"We always enjoy coming to interpack. Our expectations were exceeded once again. This year, we reached even more qualified trade visitors than at previous interpacks. We are very satisfied with that. We come here to showcase innovations, meet existing customers, launch new products, and also sign contracts. One main goal of the trade fair is, of course, to reach potential new customers. And we succeeded in doing so. We were able to establish important new and promising contacts. Many customers now also come from Iran, and the sense of a new beginning is clearly noticeable here. The three-year cycle of interpack suits us very well because it precisely matches our innovation cycle. After interpack is before interpack. And we are already considering what new features we can present in 2020. The demand for networked machines and systems, both at the shop floor level and in the Internet of Things sector, will surely increase. We want to use the opportunities arising from this to make systems even more efficient and attractive for our customers. On the other hand, as in the past ten years, modularity and the faster change between folding and format types play a crucial role. We respond massively to our customers’ demands for flexibility, and this will continue. No other trade fair is as perfectly organized as interpack. It’s enormous fun for our employees to be here. You come home—just like the slogan 'Welcome Home'."

Bühler, Daniel Troxler, Marketing Director Consumer Foods

"interpack is our leading trade fair when it comes to consumer foods. Here, we meet all the customers who are interesting for us. This year, we expanded our stand area to 1,700 square meters and, for the first time, focused not only on confectionery but on the entire process chain. From handling raw materials to the final point when it goes into packaging. This was very well received by our customers and emphasizes our position not only as machinery providers but also as solutions providers. interpack 2017 was a good trade fair for us; we achieved good results across all areas."

Harro Höfliger Packaging Machines GmbH, Thomas Weller, CEO

"Participation in interpack is not an option for us—it is the world’s leading trade fair for the packaging industry and, therefore, a must-have presence! Since Harro Höfliger was founded, we have been present at interpack. Communication is a very important asset in our company. At a world-leading trade fair like interpack, we want to present ourselves as Harro Höfliger with our values: namely global, open, transparent, and communicative. Our goal is that everyone involved with our industry or technology visits our stand. Everything we show here, whether products, solutions, or show acts—should be remembered by the customers afterward. This plays a major role for us. Furthermore, interpack is enormously important for networking. Here, we meet all our partners in one place, saving us many trips."

Multivac, Valeska Haux, Senior Director Corporate Marketing

"This year, we presented our new thermoforming packaging machine generation as the highlight at interpack, and we are really very proud and happy about how well it is received by customers. With this, Multivac takes a very important step toward Industry 4.0. We see from the customer feedback that the market is now ready for such solutions. The interpack brand attracts a global audience and remains the leading trade fair worldwide for packaging topics. That’s why we always introduce our innovations first at interpack."

IMA Dario Rea, Corporate Research & Innovation Director

"Compared to the last interpack, we have expanded our stand area again. On 3,500 square meters, we are presenting a total of 30 machines, 16 of which are completely new. As the most important trade fair in the packaging sector, we want to showcase our entire portfolio and invest a lot of effort in preparation to be ready exactly on time for the fair. This year, our message to our customers and suppliers is very clear: it also focuses on digital transformation and Industry 4.0. We want to share our visions with them, shape the future of the smart factory together, and create added value for all involved. Our stand features numerous innovations and possibilities to meet this challenge."

Mondi, Albert Klinkhammer, Group Marketing Director

"interpack is a very good platform as the world’s leading trade fair to engage in direct dialogue with international customers and potential new customers, as well as with other interest groups; for example, media or suppliers. What was very well received this year was our new stand concept with solutions for our customers and also for end consumers. Of course, we are very pleased about that. We are satisfied with the visitor numbers; they are roughly at the same level as at the last interpack. Some of the conversations this year also stand out due to their high quality. An important topic of this fair is certainly brand perception: not only viewing packaging as part of the solution for safe transport but also as part of the presentation at the point of sale. Additionally, the topic of sustainability, which has always been self-evident for Mondi, seems to have arrived in the industry now."

Veit Enders, Business Unit Manager EMEA, Schütz

"Schütz has been participating since the very first interpack, which was also the year it was founded—namely 1958. We know the event very well. For us, interpack has always been an important platform besides regular customer business to find partners worldwide. It also offers the opportunity to position ourselves in the market and showcase the latest innovations. We are clearly moving further into specialization this year and expanding the use of our products to enable more applications. It’s important for us that customers leave our stand with the feeling that they have a reliable partner in Schütz."

Ronen Samuel, General Manager HP Indigo & PWP EMEA Graphics Solutions Business

"Three years ago, we were the only representative from the printing industry at interpack. This year, there are already several more using interpack for their business. At interpack, companies benefit not only from the high density of international visitors but also from brand owners. These often come together with print service providers to see what solutions HP can offer them. In summary, we can say about this year's fair: We are very satisfied with the results."

Richard Clemens, Managing Director, Food Machinery and Packaging Machinery Industry Association (VDMA)

"Our goal for interpack 2017 was not only to talk about Industry 4.0 but also to show application examples. And that was a perfect hit. We were almost overwhelmed by the response. Furthermore, we had many discussions and conversations, also to raise awareness among medium-sized companies about this topic, to show them ways, and of course, to present customer benefits. interpack remains the platform for the packaging and process industry—without question. People always think that results cannot be further improved, but the quality of visitors increased again this year. At interpack, decisions are made; management usually stays until the last day. Besides many different topics from Industry 4.0, this year we focused on Africa. We want to attract these emerging markets to Düsseldorf and clearly say: The action is here."

Enrico Aureli, President, UCIMA

"interpack is an important meeting point for the global packaging industry—equally for exhibitors and visitors. With more than 400 exhibitors, Italian companies make up the second-largest group after the Germans. For them, interpack is a suitable platform to present technological innovations to the public. During interpack, a partnership was established between us as UCIMA, our trade fair IPACK-IMA, and Messe Düsseldorf. Both German and Italian packaging machine manufacturers will certainly benefit from this alliance."

innovationparc

FAO, Rosa Rolle, Senior Food Systems Officer Nutrition & Food Systems

"I was very impressed with the SAVE FOOD innovationparc; especially the quality of visitors but also the lectures. This has increased compared to 2014. We had many very good conversations, which we can build on afterward to achieve the goal of halving food losses and waste worldwide by 2030. Packaging is often viewed critically. However, in connection with SAVE FOOD, it is indispensable because a large part of the losses results from inadequate or inefficient packaging and logistics. Therefore, we need to look at packaging from different dimensions. This is extremely important. The SAVE FOOD Congress was fantastic. Many positive and strong messages were conveyed in the lectures about how to approach this highly complex issue from various perspectives. The key to the entire scenario is the next generations. They must be informed and involved to make the goal achievable."

Chris P. McArdle, Regional Business Director Ethylene Copolymers, Du Pont Performance Materials

"This year, we had many more visitors than in previous years. We received good feedback on our project 'The Virtuous Circle,' which links smart food design with smart packaging to keep food fresh longer for children in remote areas, for example in South Africa, while making it attractive, convenient, and sustainable. It’s clear that sustainability is truly embraced in the industry, holds high priority, and is being implemented."

components – special trade fair by interpack

Movex, Nico van der Klein, Vice President Sales & Marketing

"Three years ago, we already exhibited at components. With the experience from 2014, we returned to interpack this year. And I must say: Our appearance this year exceeded our expectations significantly. Certainly, there are more visitors in the other halls, but we are very satisfied with the quality of visitors here in Hall 18. Those who come to our stand are usually specialized and have targeted interests. For us, it’s clear: Our participation was absolutely worthwhile, and we will definitely be back at the next interpack."

iwis, Klaus Bein, Sales Manager Southern Germany / Austria

"This is our first appearance at interpack. Our impression as an exhibitor at components is very good. In the field of packaging machinery manufacturers, we are already well known as specialists for chain drive systems and as a family business with over 100 years of tradition. Nonetheless, it is in our interest to generate new customer business, and this year, that went quite well: We were able to establish many new contacts; the quality of leads is also very high, and the audience is international. We observed strong interest in systems for monitoring drive components from our company. Conversely, products that combine corrosion resistance and maintenance-free operation were in high demand. I expect we will be here again in three years."