The General Assembly of the Federation of the German Dental Industry (VDDI) elected Mark Stephen Pace, Chief Executive Officer of the Dentaurum Group in Ispringen, Germany, as new Chairman of the Association on the 27th June 2017 in Cologne.
VDDI represents the interests of its 200 member companies comprising more than 20,000 employees with a turnover in excess of €5 billion, some two-thirds of which is generated abroad.
The Federation's primary objective is to secure the leading position the German dental industry holds and to safeguard the 300,000 jobs the industry provides in Germany. To achieve this, the association strives to work closely with partner associations of dentists, dental technicians, dental trade and with politicians.
This leading role held by the German dental industry is also the reason that the world's largest dental trade fair is held every two years in the German city of Cologne. With over 155,000 dental trade visitors and 2,300 exhibitors from 157 countries this year, the international dental show IDS is the leading global dental trade fair. VDDI, an association steeped in tradition, celebrated its 100th anniversary last year.
For Mark Stephen Pace, formerly of Sliema and educated at St Aloysius' College in Birkirkara before emigrating to Germany in 1983 and studying economics there, this new position is both a challenge and a commitment in addition to his many other activities. "The Federation's work is an exciting field of activity, given the wide range in the structure of member companies, from small firms to medium-sized family-owned companies and large multi-national organizations, each with their own special characteristics," says Pace. In his view, it is the heterogeneity of the companies that delivers the decisive advantage. On the one hand, it is a positive aspect with regard to the Association's international competitiveness. On the other hand, the restructuring currently taking place in the dental industry due to digitalization, affecting both markets and market players, calls for concerted actions and a unified definition of the VDDI's objectives. "Members and committees of the Association are acutely aware of the necessity to speak with one voice. This is the ideal basis to achieve what we are aiming for," Pace emphasizes and is clearly proud of the Association's philosophy.
The fact that Mark Stephen Pace has been an active member of the German Dental Federation for more than 20 years will help him with his new task. He has been a member of the Advisory Board since 2005 and was Vice-Chairman of the Board from 2013 on. He is successor to Dr Martin Rickert who is giving up the post of Chairman after 14 years. Although the Federation is strongly focused on German interests, the appointment of Pace demonstrates its cosmopolitan attitude - being born in Malta makes Mark Stephen Pace the Federation's first "foreign" Chairman.
As Chief Executive Officer and shareholder of the international Dentaurum Group, the oldest owner-run dental company world-wide, Pace has gathered experience over a period of more than 30 years on the challenges a competitive company faces. Dentaurum is a leading German dental company holding top position in some market segments. It has demonstrated commitment to its location in Pforzheim for many years. Dentaurum was also the first company to organize a dental implant symposium in Malta in 2011 to celebrate its 125th anniversary. The symposium was attended by more than 320 delegates from 19 countries and was a huge success. The owner families have a long tradition in social commitment locally and the company seeks to be top in all areas. This is certainly one of the reasons why Dentaurum is a much sought-after employer in the region.
In his new position as Chairman of the Federation of the German Dental Industry, Pace is very much looking forward to implementing his vast experience in the dental industry at a superior position, keeping regional interests firmly in focus.
For more information on VDDI, visit www.vddi.de or visit www.dentaurum.de for information on Dentaurum.