Rogge takes chair at VDAI

Lars Rogge, the departing managing director of German AWP manufacturer Bally Wulff, is to lead the country’s trade association.

The Verband der Deutschen Automatenindutrie, the AWP manufacturers’ organisation, has announced that Rogge will become its new chairman from January 1, 2021. He leaves Bally Wulff on December 31.

Manfred Stoffers, managing member of the VDAI board, said: “Lars is a proven industry and association expert. In view of his decades of experience at all levels of the industry and in his work in various association committees, I am sure that he will shape the work of the association in a future-proof manner in a rapidly-changing environment.”

Rogge is a third generation operator entrepreneur who has been involved in several other industry associations and the umbrella organisation Die Deutsche Automatenwirtschaft.

“Lars Rogge is the ideal person for this position. With his creative drive and his experience in dialogue with politics as well as within the vending machine industry, Lars is a widely valued representative of the companies organised in the VDAI and their interests,” said Dr Daniel Henzgen, managing member of the VDAI board and member of the management of Löwen Entertainment.

Rogge said: “It takes strength for change and the courage to innovate – the machine industry has demonstrated both in the past as well as its willingness to act responsibly in society.”

He will replace Dr Marisa Doppler, the previous chairperson, who held the position since April of last year and who resigned from November 30. The board of directors of the VDAI consists of Uwe Christiansen and Dr Daniel Henzgen (Löwen Entertainment), Lars Rogge (Bally Wulff Games & Entertainment), Manfred Stoffers (Gauselmann) and Christian Trenner (wh Münzprüfer Berlin).