{"id":1931,"date":"2026-08-31T12:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T12:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/?p=1931"},"modified":"2026-09-01T12:15:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T12:15:33","slug":"expert-speaks-interview-with-maik-fischer-director-of-interzum-for-panel-design-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/?p=1931","title":{"rendered":"Expert Speaks- Interview with Maik Fischer, Director of interzum for Panel & Design News"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahead of interzum 2027<\/strong>, themed \u201cBeyond Boundaries: Elevating Strategic Resilience,\u201d Panel & Design News<\/strong> speaks with Maik Fischer, Director of interzum<\/strong>, about the forces shaping the industry.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From AI, automation and circular production to supply-chain transformation and international collaboration, Fischer shares his perspective on the trends that will define the next chapter of furniture manufacturing\u2014and what visitors can expect when the industry meets in Cologne from May 11\u201314, 2027.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PDN Desk: The theme for interzum 2027 is “Beyond Boundaries: Elevating Strategic Resilience.” What inspired this theme, and how does it reflect the current realities of the global furniture and interiors industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maik Fischer:<\/strong> The theme reflects the profound transformation currently taking place across the international furniture supply industry. Companies are facing geopolitical and economic uncertainty, volatile markets, rising energy and material costs, new regulatory requirements and increasingly complex supply chains. In this environment, resilience can no longer mean simply reacting to the next crisis. It must become a strategic capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeyond Boundaries\u201d expresses the need to rethink established structures, explore new forms of cooperation and move beyond traditional market, technology and sector boundaries. With \u201cElevating Strategic Resilience,\u201d we want to highlight how companies can adapt their business models, supply chains and partnerships in order to remain competitive in the long term. interzum 2027 will provide a global platform where the industry can discuss these challenges and discover practical solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PDN Desk: Every edition of interzum mirrors the industry’s evolution. What major changes do you expect visitors to notice in 2027 compared with previous editions?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maik Fischer:<\/strong> Visitors will see a stronger focus on the connection between innovation and long-term business resilience. In previous editions, circularity, bio-based materials and resource efficiency played a central role. These topics remain highly relevant, but in 2027 we are placing them within a broader strategic context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visitors can expect innovations relating to circular materials, automation, artificial intelligence, digital twins, the Digital Product Passport, adaptive components and efficient production processes. At the same time, collaboration across the value chain will be more important than ever. interzum will therefore not only showcase individual products, but also demonstrate how materials, technologies and partnerships can work together to create resilient solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PDN Desk: What are your key priorities as the Director of interzum for this edition?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maik Fischer:<\/strong> My main priority is to ensure that interzum continues to provide genuine orientation and business value for the global industry. In a period of uncertainty, companies need a reliable platform where they can meet the right partners, understand market developments and identify solutions that strengthen their competitiveness. We want to bring together the complete value chain \u2013 from materials and components to machinery, technologies and design \u2013 and create opportunities for dialogue between established market leaders, start-ups, designers, researchers and decision-makers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International reach is another important priority. interzum should remain the worldwide most important meeting point for the global furniture supply industry while also responding to regional market requirements. Ultimately, our objective is to create an environment in which innovation leads to concrete partnerships and new business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PDN Desk: Which three trends do you believe will have the greatest impact on furniture manufacturing over the next five years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maik Fischer:<\/strong> The three most important trends from my point of view will be circular and resource-efficient production, the increasing use of automation and artificial intelligence, and the reorganization of global supply chains through diversified sourcing and more regional production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PDN Desk: Sustainability has become central to product development. Are you seeing a shift from sustainability as a marketing message to sustainability as a business imperative?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maik Fischer:<\/strong> Yes, definitely. Raw-material scarcity, energy costs, regulatory requirements and customer expectations are making sustainability an economic necessity. For companies, resource-efficient production can reduce costs and dependencies, while circular product design can open up new business models and market opportunities. At the same time, transparency along the value chain is becoming increasingly important. Instruments such as the Digital Product Passport will require companies to understand and document their materials and processes more precisely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PDN Desk: Artificial intelligence is influencing manufacturing process worldwide. Share your opinion on the role of AI in manufacturing, and ways in which it will be showcased in the upcoming interzum? Please give a detailed insight.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maik Fischer:<\/strong> AI can optimize design and production processes, improve quality control, reduce material waste and support predictive maintenance. It can also make customized production more efficient and help companies anticipate demand and supply-chain risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At interzum 2027, AI will be addressed as part of the wider development towards digital, automated and resilient value chains. We expect exhibitors to demonstrate solutions ranging from intelligent machinery and production software to process optimization and material management. AI will also be reflected in the event programme and expert discussions at the interzum Trend Stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PDN Desk: The South East Asian segment is experiencing tension for quiet sometime. Do you think this is impacting on the manufacturing business?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maik Fischer:<\/strong> Political and economic tensions can certainly affect manufacturing, although the impact differs considerably between individual countries, product groups and companies. Possible consequences include changing trade conditions, fluctuating currencies, longer transportation times and uncertainty regarding the availability and cost of materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, Southeast Asia remains an important and highly dynamic manufacturing region. We are seeing companies adapt by diversifying their supplier networks, strengthening regional partnerships and investing in more transparent and flexible supply chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PDN Desk: interzum is the most awaited destination for manufacturers and designers. How do you see the enthusiasm growing for the upcoming edition.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maik Fischer:<\/strong> The strong level of current exhibitor registrations shows the industry\u2019s enthusiasm. We also sense an ongoing growing need for personal exchange, international partnerships and reliable orientation in a constantly rapidly changing market. The industry will have to deal with major technological, economic and environmental changes as a continuous process. interzum offers a unique opportunity to experience these developments in one place and across the entire value chain. Manufacturers, suppliers, designers and decision-makers come to Cologne not only to see new products, but also to understand where the market is heading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe that this combination of innovation, personal exchange and international business makes interzum especially valuable. From 11 to 14 May 2027, Cologne will once again become the global meeting point for everyone who wants to help shape the future of furniture production and interior design.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ahead of interzum 2027, themed \u201cBeyond Boundaries: Elevating Strategic Resilience,\u201d Panel & Design News speaks…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[280,290,2,257,4],"tags":[540,541,156,537,542,267,539,82,538],"class_list":["post-1931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-from-the-desk","category-events","category-featured-news","category-where-wood-industry-innovation-meets-design","category-wood-design-news","tag-ai","tag-ai-in-manufacturing","tag-automation","tag-interzm-cologne","tag-interzum-2027","tag-koelnmesse","tag-maik-fischer","tag-sustainability","tag-woodworking-and-design-industry"],"acf":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","covernews-featured":"","covernews-medium":""},"author_info":{"display_name":"PDNews Desk","author_link":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/?author=1"},"category_info":"Editorial<\/a> Events<\/a> Featured News<\/a> Interview<\/a> News<\/a>","tag_info":"News","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1931"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1934,"href":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931\/revisions\/1934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1931"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/panelanddesign.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}