Interpack-2008: Flexible solutions on offer

Dr. Peter Golz of VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau - German Engineering Federation) speaks of the "seeds of the interpack".

Golz knows: the guild of German packaging machinery manufacturers remains in excellent shape. "We brought full order books with us into the interpack year. This is a good foundation," he says. At VDMA, the postponement of investment decisions in the current year is anticipated. This could mean a dent in sales at the end of the year, but this may not necessarily be the case.

The reason is obvious: According to Golz, completing trade fair exhibits, meaning new innovations that will be seen for the first time at interpack, is tying up capacity. But Golz is absolutely certain that there will be an interpack effect. "Customers have a "wait and see" attitude before interpack. We are certain to see some deals being made at the fair or shortly after. But this is only a flash in the pan. More important are projects that are put into motion at the fair.

It takes time for these to be converted into orders." But the German packaging machinery business is booming. The question that is still open is whether this is enough for another record year. One of the facts playing right into their hands is that the days of purely volume business, for example in the pharmaceutical segment, are numbered. Today, flexible systems are in demand that handle smaller production lots and enable more frequent product changes. This means that drug makers must bring their production facilities up to the latest standards. Many new solutions will be showcased at this year’s interpack.