New VDIK Managing Director: Alexander Jess succeeds Dr. Thomas Almeroth

The Board of the Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers has appointed Alexander Jess as the new VDIK Managing Director. He will take office on January 1, 2022, succeeding Dr. Thomas Almeroth, who will retire at the end of December 2021.

Attorney Dr. Thomas Almeroth is leaving the VDIK after 31 years of service. He led the association as Managing Director since 1992. VDIK President Reinhard Zirpel said: “This change in management marks the end of an era for the VDIK. Dr. Thomas Almeroth has successfully led our association for more than three decades. He has shaped the VDIK into a modern, powerful and universally recognized association and has thus had a decisive impact on it. On behalf of all members, we would like to thank Dr. Almeroth for his many years of work and his great personal commitment. I am pleased that Dr. Almeroth will continue to support the VDIK in an advisory capacity for a transitional period and I am sure that he will remain closely connected to the international manufacturers and the automotive industry as a whole.”

Zirpel further emphasized: “With Alexander Jess, the VDIK will continue to be led by an extremely qualified association manager. Jess is very experienced in representing interests on a national and European level and will continue to powerfully represent the international manufacturers in Germany.” Alexander Jess (48) is a lawyer with German and French roots. He has headed various food industry associations since 2004. Most recently, he was Managing Director of the Association of the Grain, Milling and Starch Industry in Berlin and of the European industry association CEEREAL in Brussels. As Managing Director of the VDIK e.V., Jess will, like his predecessor, also head the Legal and Sales Department.

Pictures of Dr. Thomas Almeroth and Alexander Jess can be found in our media library.