Bulk Distributor Nov/Dec 15 | Page 15

November/December 2015 A view from… FIBCs & Bagging BULKDISTRIBUTOR 15 EFIBCA welcomed in a new president, reflected on market conditions over the past year and looked forward to a seemingly optimistic future for flexible packaging at its annual open meeting in Barcelona this September The future is flexible – EFIBCA R oelof Veld, of NNZ bv, was elected as president of the European Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association (EFIBCA) at its annual general meeting held on 29 September in Barcelona, Spain. As business unit manager, industry at NNZ, a Dutch company specialising in agricultural and industrial packaging solutions, Veld draws on 18 years of experience in the FIBC sector from which the association has already profited during his eight-year tenure on EFIBCA’s executive council. Veld succeeds Oliver Grüters, of Boxon GmbH, who reached the maximum two consecutive terms as EFIBCA president and will continue to serve on the EFIBCA council. “Roelof has been making an impact in the council for years, and I am very pleased that we have elected such an experienced and competent candidate,” commented Grüters, under whose leadership the association’s membership grew by nearly 30 percent. Following the AGM and elections, guests joined the new president and members for a tour of Barcelona and networking dinner at a rustic Catalonian venue. The 60 delegates from Europe, Near and Far East as well as Africa capitalised on the opportunity for further exchange and discussion on current business aspects affecting the FIBC community at EFIBCA’s fifth Open Meeting held the next day. On the agenda were presentations on markets, corporate social responsibility, susta