GREIF-VELOX CONNECT 2026: Networking as a Response to Economic Uncertainty

On June 9, 2026, GREIF-VELOX Maschinenfabrik GmbH opened the gates of its headquarters and production site in Lübeck, Germany, for the third time. Over the years, GREIF-VELOX CONNECT has established itself as a fixed event within the industry. This year’s edition featured 22 exhibiting partner companies – more than twice as many as the previous year – and ten informative expert presentations, making it the most content-rich CONNECT event to date. For the first time, the entire event was concentrated at the company’s main site in Lübeck, significantly intensifying direct interaction between visitors, customers and exhibitors.

Live Manufacturing Insights: Modular Automation, Retrofit Solutions and Short Delivery Times

A key focus of GREIF-VELOX CONNECT 2026 was the opportunity to experience current customer projects directly on the shop floor. Among the highlights were a fully automated A-DOS-P1 liquid filling system for drums and IBCs, as well as a BVP gross pneumatic packer currently undergoing a retrofit project involving additional automation and safety modules.

Potential upgrades include an automatic bag feeding system as well as the GREIF-VELOX ValvoCare and ValvoSeal modules. Particularly relevant for many visitors was the fact that these modular solutions are not exclusively designed for GREIF-VELOX machines. They can also be retrofitted to existing third-party packaging machines and integrated into existing production lines thanks to their compact footprint. This provides plant operators with a practical opportunity to gradually increase automation levels, efficiency and process reliability without necessarily investing in an entirely new packaging line.

ValvoCare and ValvoSeal exemplify the targeted enhancement of existing packaging processes – from secure bag handling and reliable valve bag sealing to low-dust, highly automated bag processing. The modules contribute to improved packaging quality, operator convenience and overall equipment availability.

A further concrete signal was provided by the Essential Line models. This standardized machine concept significantly reduces engineering effort and enables delivery times of approximately some weeks in many cases, compared to the several months commonly seen within the industry. The preconfigured systems cover around 80 percent of typical application scenarios and are particularly suited to production environments with stable process parameters and clearly defined requirements.

Visitors also gained practical insights into vacuum bagging technology. GREIF-VELOX showcased the VeloVac XL for vacuum filling of Big Bags, as well as a VeloVac test unit that has already been used in numerous customer trials across Europe. An accompanying map illustrated the countries in which the machine has been tested under real production conditions, underlining the company’s strong focus on practical validation before investment decisions are made.

In addition, the company presented its R-DOS Custom Line, a customer-specific liquid filling solution demonstrating how individual requirements regarding products, containers, available space and operational concepts can be translated into tailor-made system designs.

Flexible Service Models: Packaging as a Service  and Pay-per-Use Leasing

Packaging as a Service (PaaS) attracted considerable attention throughout the event, both during presentations and at partner booths. Together with financing specialist CHG-MERIDIAN, GREIF-VELOX demonstrated how financing models can be tailored to the individual operational and balance-sheet requirements of different companies.

Particular attention was given to the pay-per-use model, where monthly leasing rates are directly linked to actual production output. Especially in economically uncertain times, visitors appreciated the option of contractually structured pilot or testing phases before committing to long-term investments.

Digitalization as a Cross-Industry Topic: Batch Records, Artificial Intelligence and NIS2

Several presentations focused on end-to-end data management and cybersecurity. One of the most attended presentations was delivered by partner company Bizerba, which introduced a data management platform capable of consolidating all production processes within a single system.
The software automatically creates a complete digital batch record, covering raw material intake, recipes, weights, dosing parameters, labels, hazardous material information and comprehensive audit trails. The objective is to reduce complexity, minimize errors and ensure seamless traceability throughout production processes.

GREIF-VELOX itself demonstrated its newly developed electronic spare parts catalogue as well as its expanding service portfolio for remote monitoring and predictive maintenance directly on the production floor. Looking ahead, the company also presented plans to integrate augmented reality glasses into future service concepts, enabling real-time support for technicians during complex maintenance operations.

In the closing presentation, Managing Director Sebastian Pohl outlined five areas in which GREIF-VELOX is already applying or further developing artificial intelligence technologies: condition monitoring for early fault detection, usage-based preventive maintenance, data-driven predictive maintenance, OEE monitoring and optimization, and comprehensive process optimization based on production data analysis.

The presentation resonated strongly with attendees. Artificial intelligence and its practical impact on manufacturing and plant operations emerged as one of the defining discussion topics throughout the event.

Another important topic addressed by partner company Siemens was the NIS2 Directive and the EU Cyber Resilience Act. Using Siemens’ NIS2-compliant remote service solution as an example, visitors learned how remote machine access can be implemented in compliance with evolving cybersecurity regulations.

Quality Over Quantity: Peer-to-Peer Exchange

What continues to distinguish CONNECT from traditional trade fairs is its focus on meaningful technical discussions. Visitors engaged directly with machine experts, technology partners and industry peers instead of navigating large exhibition halls.

The more compact format – with all activities taking place under one roof rather than across multiple locations – further enhanced opportunities for interaction. Despite challenging economic conditions, visitor numbers remained strong while many comparable industry events have reported declining attendance.

Post-event surveys reinforced these impressions. 95.5 percent of respondents stated that they established new business contacts during the event. Participants particularly praised the technical depth of discussions and the opportunity to address specific operational questions directly at machines and partner booths.
The diversity of exhibitors was also highlighted as a key strength, creating a technologically coherent ecosystem while offering expertise across a broad range of disciplines.

Feedback from attendees reflected the event’s success. One participant commented: “I have rarely been able to gather so much valuable information and establish so many meaningful contacts at a single event.”
Another attendee emphasized the value of cross-industry perspectives: “It was extremely valuable to gain insights from such a wide range of industries and markets.”

Wolfgang Stricker, Managing Director of GUMMI STRICKER GmbH, summarized the experience: “Thank you for a highly interesting and well-organized day. I gained many valuable insights and had numerous productive discussions. The event motto ‘Connect’ was perfectly chosen.”

PNX Automation GmbH echoed this assessment: “The concept of ‘Connect’ was fully delivered.”

A representative from Bizerba added: “The overlap between visitors, customers and partners created opportunities for highly productive discussions. That is what makes the CONNECT format so valuable.”

Looking Ahead with Confidence

The overall spirit of the event can be summed up in a single phrase: Now more than ever.
In an economically challenging environment, participants repeatedly emphasized the importance of personal relationships and strong partnerships. Interest in collaboration and shared innovation topics was exceptionally high, demonstrating that the industry remains focused on future opportunities. The growing interest in Packaging as a Service reflects this mindset, enabling investment without significant upfront capital commitment.

Managing Director Sebastian Pohl concluded: “We are highly satisfied – with the quality of visitors, with the exchange between customers and partners, and with the overall outcome of the event. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and our teams have already identified several concrete new project opportunities.”

Networking into the Evening: Sudden Death Brewing Provides the Perfect Finale

The event concluded with an evening gathering at Lübeck-based craft brewery Sudden Death Brewing. The industrial atmosphere of the venue complemented the spirit of CONNECT perfectly. Around 20 different beers and a selection of unconventional pizzas – including a blueberry-topped creation – provided plenty of conversation beyond technical topics.

The atmosphere was lively and relaxed, and one attendee’s closing remark captured the sentiment shared by many: “We’ll be back next year.”

Björn Voges, Global Marketing Manager at GREIF-VELOX, confirmed the company’s plans: “Once again, CONNECT proved to be an outstanding in-house exhibition for us. Based on the initial feedback, we have met – and in some cases exceeded – the expectations of participants, partners and colleagues. We are therefore pleased to confirm that there will be another GREIF-VELOX CONNECT in 2027.”