Interpack names Thomas Dohse as director amid key progress for 2021 event
Plans for next year’s global Interpack event continue to take shape with the appointment of Thomas Dohse as its project director, having previously served as its deputy, reports Neill Barston
The international packaging and processing equipment showcase, which is set to include a broad array of equipment and systems targeting the confectionery, snacks and bakery sectors, was scheduled for May in Dusseldorf, had been postponed until next February due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Dohse, 50, succeeds Bernd Jablonowski, who rose to the Managing Board of Messe Düsseldorf as an Executive Director, as organisers continue to offer reassurance that extensive hygiene control measures have been put in place to ensure the event can take place as planned in 2021. The trade fair – which has been staged every three years, is reportedly fully booked for next year in terms of exhibitors.
The rescheduled fair is now set to be held between 25 February and 3 March next year, and is to feature a new hall dedicated to the confectionery sector, underlining its significance to the global showcase, that attracted a total of 170,000 visitors from around the world when it was last staged in 2017.
As Messe Düsseldorf explained, Interpack’s new director has developed a strong network of connections within the global packaging industry and the related process industry.
Speaking to Confectionery Production earlier this year regarding Interpack, Dohse anticipated there would be a broad spectrum of equipment and solutions on display for the event that responded to growing demands and tests facing markets across the food and drink sector.
He said: “There are number of challenges that the food and beverage industry is facing, including the level of competition within these markets. They also have to deal with issues such as rising costs of energy, and exhibitors at Interpack will be showcasing solutions to some of these areas. That includes making equipment as available as possible, as well as product optimisation that will bring benefits to buyers and users of these machines. I think there will also be a lot of Industry 4.0 solutions on display across these industries.”
Dohse has been part of the interpack team at Messe Düsseldorf since 2005 and led interpack 2017 on an operative level as Deputy Director. During this period, the father of three supported many formative themes for interpack, such as Save Food and the special shows under the innovationparc label. These are now also successful at the international events within the scope of the interpack alliance, which will also be led by Interpack’s newly appointed event’s director.
Messe Düsseldorf relies on a comprehensive hygiene concept in order to protect exhibitors and visitors. “Interpack is the most important event in the international packaging industry and, especially in times of crisis, provides crucial stimuli in order to build a successful future for the companies involved. Therefore, we give our all in order to do justice to this responsibility and simultaneously guarantee the best possible protection of the health of the people coming to our trade fair centre”, added Dohse.
As the event’s organisers noted, the venue’s hygiene plan has already proved that it lives up to its motto: “PROTaction – Back to Business” with Caravan Salon, the first trade fair at the Düsseldorf trade fair centre since the venue’s enforced break surrounding the pandemic. For more information visit www.interpack.com.
