Premiere: During Intec 2025, Oliver Köhn sat down in front of a podcast microphone for the first time. As a guest of the CERATIZIT Innovation Podcast, he spoke about the East German mechanical and plant engineering industry - and had more than just dry figures in store!
The VDMA is filling two key positions: Dr. Johannes Gernandt will become the association's Chief Economist, replacing Dr. Ralph Wiechers. Oliver Richtberg becomes the new Head of Foreign Trade, succeeding Ulrich Ackermann.
More than 730 exhibitors from 26 countries will be showcasing the latest developments in the metalworking industry and supplier sector at Intec and Z. For VDMA East and the East German exhibitors, the industrial trade fairs are a stroke of luck for the region.
In mid-May 2025, the East German mechanical and plant engineering industry will be in the spotlight. During the East German Economic Forum in Bad Saarow, Alexander Jakschik will be in a prime position to explain how economic policy needs to change.
Lots to talk about in volatile times: A few days after the end of the coalition government in Germany and the election of the new US president, the Executive Board met for its last meeting of the year. The discussions, demands and resolutions.
The end of the traffic light coalition threatens to place a further heavy burden on medium-sized industrial companies. The mechanical engineering industry expects a new government to provide stability and quickly adopt reforms to boost investment.
"We must act - now and "We have to act - now and immediately!" With this clear appeal to politicians, the new VDMA President Bertram Kawlath starts into office. He says: It is essential to improve the location factors quickly and significantly now.
The Ingolstadt-based entrepreneur Bertram Kawlath (Schubert & Salzer) is the new VDMA President and was elected for the next four years. The new Vice Presidents are Alexander Jakschik (ULT) and Verena Thies (Thies Textilmaschinen).
After the European elections and before the state elections: In mid-June 2024, the Board of VDMA East discussed whether and how the industry should present itself in public debates.
Where is the mechanical and plant engineering industry heading and which trends will change existing business models? Answers to these questions and plenty of room for personal exchange were provided at this year's Summer Forum of the VDMA Regional Association East.
The board members of VDMA East and VDMA Austria met in Vienna for the first time to discuss challenging topics. This premiere was profitable ... and a continuation is already planned.
Cooperation between mechanical engineering companies and start-ups is still in its infancy. But it offers enormous market and future opportunities. The summer forum provided insights and promoted exchange.