“I am fascinated by technology for life. And we produce unique machines that are used in the food sector. I find this aspect and the technology itself extremely exciting, because our products are high-quality and durable. That is why the consumer goods industry would not be my thing,” says Simone Weyerich. As the new Managing Director of Administration, the industrial engineering graduate is part of the management team at Weber Food Technology, a mechanical engineering company specializing in the development and production of cutting and packaging lines for the food industry. In this role, Simone Weyerich is responsible for the strategic management of the Finance and Controlling, Human Resources, and IT departments.
The 45-year-old from Lower Franconia has more than 20 years of experience in mechanical engineering and technology within the packaging industry. After completing her studies in Schweinfurt, she already knew during her trainee programme at Bosch, now Syntegon, that her heart beats for companies in the mechanical engineering sector. Since then, the sports enthusiast has built up extensive expertise in key commercial areas in various management roles at national and international mechanical and plant engineering companies.
The fact that Weber is based in Breidenbach in central Hesse was not an issue for her, as Weber Food Technology is a leading international family business – "all interesting and appealing attributes" for Weyerich.
Expanding Business in the US despite customs policy
The central task of her role is to help ensure that the company can operate successfully on a global scale and to develop the necessary tools for this. Digitalization and AI are an opportunity for further development that the Weber team can take advantage of. “The aim is to set up the internal structures in an efficient, future-proof, and service-oriented way so that all areas can play an active role in achieving the corporate strategies,” she summarizes.
Weyerich talks a lot about opportunities. The European packaging regulation PPWR is one such opportunity. “Our customers have to think about solutions and adapt their systems if necessary. We offer the answers and actively help our customers to do so.” And every new trend in alternative packaging materials and foods such as New Meat is also an opportunity to utilize and further develop in-house expertise. “Thanks to our own slicer blade development and production, for example, we can react quickly and flexibly to new or customized requirements. Our broad expertise and high depth of development are, therefore, clear strengths.”
The shortage of skilled labor, which is an issue in the packaging industry, does not affect Weber to the same extent as other companies. Rural areas are more of an advantage than a disadvantage for staff. Junior staff are recruited, for example, through co-operation with universities and the company’s own training and further education opportunities.
However, Weyerich is concerned about the “constantly unpredictable” customs policy of the US. It leads to uncertainty and every company must decide anew how to proceed in the long term. The US is Weber Food Technology’s largest export market. “The US has great potential for us. Despite everything, we will strengthen our business there,” says Simone Weyerich.
She is also clear on the subject of bureaucracy in Germany. “We hope that bureaucracy will be curbed and that our employees will not be burdened by ever-increasing social security premiums.”
Simone Weyerich describes herself as assertive. A quality that she brings with her through sport. She has been a referee for the Bavarian Football Association for 30 years, most of that time in the men's amateur leagues. When it comes to women in the packaging industry, she has a clear position: “I’m not in favor of quotas for women. There just are fewer women in technical professions. However, I have noticed that many highly talented women don’t have enough confidence and are less self-assured than men. I would like to give these women a platform in companies so that they can present themselves and become more visible.”
About the Weber Group: From weight-accurate slicing and packaging of sausage, meat, cheese, and vegan substitute products to complex automation solutions for ready meals and other convenience products: Weber Food Technology is one of the leading system providers for food products such as sliced and piece-goods as well as the automation and packaging of fresh products. Weber Food Technology employs around 2,100 people at 27 locations in 22 nations. The company is still family-owned today and is managed by Tobias Weber, company founder Günther Weber’s eldest son, as CEO.
By Anna Ntemiris, Editor