The VDMA has appointed Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim as the new Managing Director of
its Food Processing Machinery and Packaging Machinery Association and the Process Plant
and Equipment Association. He joined the management team on 1 April 2026 and will work
alongside long-serving Managing Director Richard Clemens during a transition period before
Clemens retires at the end of September.
Clemens has led the two associations for more than 30 years, playing a key role in
strengthening their representation of the food processing machinery, packaging machinery
and process engineering industries. During his tenure, he also focused strongly on research,
innovation and international cooperation, developing networks with universities and research
institutions to support the industry’s technological capabilities.
Schmid-Wiedersheim, 49, brings more than two decades of management experience in the
international trade fair sector. A graduate engineer, he previously held senior responsibilities
at Hamburg Messe, where he managed exhibitions and projects covering sectors including
production technology, hydrogen, oil and gas, maritime technologies and water and
wastewater.
He subsequently joined Messe Frankfurt, where he served as Director of the internationally
recognised IFFA and Texcare trade fairs. He also managed international portfolios covering
food technology, environmental technology and textile care and cleaning. Through these
roles, he developed extensive networks across industrial value chains, companies and
institutions.
Commenting on his appointment, Schmid-Wiedersheim said he looked forward to working
with member companies to further strengthen the associations’ focus on innovation,
international competitiveness and dialogue with policymakers and the scientific community.
The leadership transition is expected to provide continuity while bringing fresh experience to
the VDMA associations representing two closely connected industrial sectors. With Schmid-
Wiedersheim’s background spanning trade fairs, technology sectors and international
business development, the VDMA is positioning the associations for their next phase of
growth and industry engagement.
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