PEOPLE WATCH
AIDA confirms senior management appointments
Dr . Thomas Harrer .
New MD for TRUMPF Photonic Components
TRUMPF subsidiary , Photonic Components , has a new managing director as of 1 December 2023 . 58-year-old Dr . Thomas Harrer took over the role from Dr . Berthold Schmidt , who has been managing the business in Ulm ( Germany ) on an interim basis , in addition to his duties as a member of the Management Board of TRUMPF SE + Co KG and CTO .
Thomas Harrer began his career at TRUMPF in 1999 as an advisor to the Group Managing Director for Research and Development . After earning his doctorate in electrical engineering , he held various management positions within the TRUMPF Group . He is currently responsible for the Optical Systems Business Field and the Laser Application Centre within the Laser Technology Division .
“ I am very pleased that we were able to win Thomas Harrer for the management of TRUMPF Photonic Components . He brings with him a high level of technological expertise and has a very good network in the industry and within the TRUMPF Group ,” said Berthold Schmidt , CTO of TRUMPF .
In his new role as managing director of TRUMPF Photonic Components , Dr . Thomas Harrer will continue to expand the VCSEL and photonics business and the technological expertise of the TRUMPF subsidiary . TRUMPF Photonic Components has been part of the TRUMPF Group since 2019 and is a global supplier of VCSEL and photodiode solutions for consumer electronics , data communications , automotive , industrial sensors and heating systems .
Approximately 300 people are employed worldwide at its headquarters in Ulm ( Germany ) and at locations in Aachen , the Netherlands ; China ; Korea ; Taiwan and the USA . n
AIDA-America , a metal stamping press manufacturer in Dayton , OH ( USA ) has announced that Mr . Toshihiko Suzuki was recently promoted to global CEO of AIDA ENGINEERING , LTD . in Japan . He joined AIDA in 2011 . Mr . Suzuki has held numerous engineering , sales , customer service and executive officer positions , both at AIDA ENGINEERING and sister divisions , throughout his tenure .
Additionally , Ms . Kiyoe Kado was recently appointed as AIDA ENGINEERING ’ s first female director . She serves as an Outside Director . Ms . Kado is Director of Trust Forum Foundation and Professor Emeritus at Rikkyo University College . She specialises in corporate , financial and general business law .
AIDA is a global specialist in the design ; manufacture ; sale ; service and support ; refurbishment and modernisation of metal
Schuler Executive Vice President , Frank Klingemann , is stepping down as Head of the Industry Division at the end of the year as he enters retirement . His successor at the press specialist will be Benjamin Fürst , who manages Schuler ’ s site in Hessdorf and will continue to do so . The management of Schuler ’ s Weingarten site , which was previously also held by Frank Klingemann , will be taken over by Service Executive Vice President , Torsten Petrick , in addition to his previous responsibilities .
“ Frank Klingemann has done an outstanding job as Executive Vice President , Division Manager and Site Manager since the beginning of 2020 ,” explained Schuler CEO , Domenico Iacovelli . “ We wish him all the best for his new phase of life . For our customers and employees , it is an important signal of continuity that two experienced Schuler managers , Benjamin Fürst and Torsten Petrick , will seamlessly take over Frank Klingemann ’ s responsibilities .”
Benjamin Fürst was responsible for Schuler products for press automation worldwide such as coil lines and transfers , but also blanking lines with press or laser cell . As of 1 January 2024 , he will now be responsible for all Schuler ’ s mechanical progressive , transfer and forging presses , as
Benjamin Fürst .
Torsten Petrick
Frank Klingemann .
Mr . Toshihiko Suzuki .
Ms . Kiyoe Kado .
stamping presses and metalforming automation equipment . It has a worldwide network of sales and service locations in nearly 40 cities across 20 countries and press installations exceeding 80,000 units in over 60 countries . n
www . aida-global . com
Schuler Industry Division changes
well as smaller systems for the production of coins , electrical sheets for motors or housings for batteries . The product groups will remain at locations such as Göppingen , Weingarten and ( Germany ) . The products themselves are manufactured at locations such as Göppingen ; Erfurt ; Hessdorf ; Dalian ( China ) and São Paulo ( Brazil ).
Benjamin Fürst is a trained plant mechanic and has completed both his master craftsman ’ s certificate and his technical business management qualification . He then completed a Master of Science in Strategy , Management and Technology , a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Laws while working . Apart from a brief one-and-a-half-year break , he has worked at Schuler in various management positions since 2011 .
The future head of the Weingarten site , Torsten Petrick , has been with the company since 2008 and has been responsible for Schuler Service since 2020 . He had previously built up and managed the company ’ s procurement department . Schuler Service is represented worldwide with over 750 employees to not only quickly repair systems in an emergency but also to maintain , modernise or relocate them . The service also sells Schuler ’ s digital products . n
ISMR December 2023 / January 2024 | ismr . net | 9