Europe’s industry is under considerable pressure, facing challenges ranging from high energy and resource costs to geopolitical dependencies. Where does Europe need to focus now to secure its industrial competitiveness in the long term?

Europe needs to regain confidence in its industrial strengths and create the right framework conditions for companies to invest. This includes competitive energy prices, less bureaucracy, faster planning and approval processes and a clear focus on innovation and technology. At the same time, we must not forget people. The competition for talent will be just as critical! In my view, anyone who wants to maintain industrial value creation in Europe over the long term must invest in both technology and skills development.

Resilience and sovereignty have become key terms in industrial policy. What does industrial resilience mean to you in practical terms?

For me, resilience means the ability to remain capable of acting even under changing conditions. It also means thinking about decisions with a long-term perspective. Resilient companies therefore combine technological expertise, strong production networks, a highly skilled workforce and the ability to adapt quickly to new developments, while maintaining a clear vision for the future.

Competitiveness and sustainability are often discussed as conflicting goals. How can both be combined, and how can sustainability become a competitive advantage for European industry?

I am convinced that competitiveness and sustainability are not opposites. On the contrary. As a manufacturer of machine tools and automation solutions, we see that more efficient energy

use, resource conservation, circular economy approaches, and modern production technologies help companies reduce costs while operating more sustainably. European mechanical engineering, in particular, has the innovative strength to develop exactly these kinds of solutions.

Looking back from 2030: What decisions would policymakers and industry need to make today so that we can say Europe has become stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future?

If we want to be successful in 2030, we need to invest consistently in future technologies, industrial infrastructure, and education today. We need reliable policy frameworks that encourage innovation and enable investment. At the same time, I strongly believe that companies can actively shape technological transformation and must take their employees along on this journey. The future of industry will also be determined in our training centers, production halls, and businesses.

On the Center Stage at HANNOVER MESSE 2027, different perspectives from business, science, and politics come together. Why is this exchange particularly important right now, and which debates should industry be having there?

In my view, progress always happens when different perspectives come together, when people listen to one another, and when new ideas can be openly discussed. For me, the key question is not which problems we face, but how we learn from one another, how we build on our strengths and how we translate them into competitiveness.

That is why we should be talking about the future of Europe as an industrial location, about technology, innovation capability, and human-centered transformation. Above all, we should keep a strong focus on practical relevance: Which solutions are already working? And which decisions do we need to make today to ensure that industrial value creation, prosperity, and innovation continue to have a home in Europe in the future?