The number of employees and companies in the food and packaging machinery sector in Germany has risen steadily in recent years. To sustain this growth, the industry needs clear policy guidelines and support as it moves toward a circular economy, digitalization, and a crisis-resilient production model. Furthermore, growth is currently threatened by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine. Food and packaging machinery manufacturers need more well-trained skilled workers to meet the challenges ahead. This is one of the findings of the industry report “Food and Packaging Machinery,” published by IG Metall in collaboration with the Hans Böckler Foundation. IG Metall is calling on employers and policymakers to strengthen training and continuing education in the industry and to promote workplace co-determination, thereby ensuring attractive working conditions.
“German food and packaging machinery is essential for processing and handling food, medicines, hygiene products, and much more worldwide, as well as for packaging them safely. This value creation must be strengthened in Germany and Europe,” said Wolfgang Lemb, an executive board member responsible, among other things, for machinery and plant engineering, during the presentation of the industry report on Tuesday in Schwäbisch Hall. The region around Schwäbisch Hall is home to a cluster with the highest concentration of packaging machinery manufacturers in all of Germany. Commenting on the local situation, Uwe Bauer, First Representative of IG Metall Schwäbisch Hall, said: “Strong employee participation, collective bargaining agreements, and economic success are not mutually exclusive. Rather, this reflects a modern corporate culture.”
The industry report identifies a need for skilled workers and investment against the backdrop of the upcoming transformation . “To keep pace, comprehensive investments are needed now. To ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises are well-positioned for the future, the government must support research and development, ” said Lemb. Given the insufficient level of vocational training despite demographic change, he urges: “To meet the demand for skilled workers and to leverage digitalization and sustainability with well-trained professionals for Germany as a business location, more apprenticeship positions are needed. Recruiting skilled workers and providing regular training must be given higher priority so that the industry is well-positioned for the future.”
From the perspective of the works council members surveyed, technological and demographic change creates an urgent need for action in forward-looking workforce planning and development. Furthermore, works councils need more opportunities for co-determination to shape operational changes in the best possible way. IG Metall calls on employers to work together with their works councils and IG Metall to address these challenges in the best interests of employees.
With this industry report, IG Metall provides a current, detailed picture of the food and packaging machinery manufacturing sector in Germany from the employees’ perspective. To this end, 19 works council members and employer representatives from 18 companies in the sector were interviewed using semi-standardized interviews, and results from standardized surveys within the industry were incorporated. The report examines the structure and development of the industry and analyzes challenges as well as areas of action for employee representatives. It takes an in-depth look at the challenges posed by the circular economy, digitalization, globalization, and demographic change. The report was authored by PCG - Project Consult GmbH.
Industry Report on Food and Packaging Machinery
Further information and press photos of Wolfgang Lemb
