PEOPLE WATCH
New management at Blackbird
Blackbird Robotersysteme GmbH , a provider of system solutions for robotassisted laser welding , has announced a change in the company ' s executive management . As of February 2025 , Dr . Rüdiger Brockmann has been appointed as CEO and takes over the business from Karl Christian Messer , who managed the company up until then .
“ Since 2017 , Karl Christian Messer has driven international growth and technological evolution of the company with its own branch in Shanghai , China . The change in leadership is intended to improve our market position , increase our innovative capacity and unlock new growth opportunities ,” the company explained .
Dr . Rüdiger Brockmann has over 30 years of experience in the industry and laser sector . He studied applied physics and mechanical engineering and earned his PhD in laser micro welding . He has held various top management positions in large groups as well as mid-sized companies . He is one of the pioneers of remote laser welding in the automotive industry .
L-R : Dr . Rüdiger Brockman and Karl Christian Messer .
FOBA appoints new MD
FOBA Laser Marking + Engraving , a supplier of laser marking systems , has appointed Richard Roth as its new managing director . Effective from 1 January 2025 , he has taken over its strategic direction and leadership .
“ Richard Roth brings extensive expertise in product identification for his role as managing director of FOBA , a brand of ALLTEC Angewandte Laserlicht Technologie GmbH . His passion for laser technology began early in his successful career , starting as a country manager for Videojet . With leadership roles in product management and innovation at X-Rite , and as General Manager EMEA for Esko , he has acquired a wealth of management experience across various companies of the U . S . -based Veralto Corporation ,” FOBA told ISMR .
Richard Roth succeeds Sebastian Blösch as managing director . “ Our mission remains unchanged : to develop reliable laser marking
“ I ’ m delighted that we were able to bring Dr . Rüdiger Brockmann on board as my successor . He is not only an experienced manager but also a skilled practitioner with a track record of excellence ,” said Karl Christian Messer , Blackbird ’ s previous managing director . “ With his experience , methodological knowledge and leadership skills , Blackbird is ideally equipped for the forefront of technological developments in laser welding and complementary OCT applications .”
“ A joint transitional period allows me to benefit from my predecessor ’ s experience , paving the way for me to integrate smoothly and efficiently into Blackbird and existing customer relationships . Thank you , Karl Christian Messer , for the constructive cooperation , great commitment and dedication . Under his leadership , Blackbird has made significant progress and created a solid basis for future growth ,” added Dr . Rüdiger Brockmann , CEO of Blackbird Robotics , on his new role .
Blackbird Robotersysteme GmbH manufactures system solutions for remote laser welding with scan heads . The mirrorbased beam deflection units can be integrated into industrial production systems , especially robot cells . Core competencies include the development of control technology , intuitive user software and supplemental process monitoring solutions . n
www
. blackbird-robotics . de / en
systems that meet the highest standards and solve our customer ’ s challenges — whether in medical technology , automotive manufacturing or the electronics industry . I am excited to lead this incredible team and contribute to the continued growth and success of this world-class organisation ,” outlined Roth .
FOBA develops and manufactures marking lasers for integration as well as laser marking workstations with vision-assisted marking workflows . With worldwide sales and service branches and its headquarters near Lübeck , Hamburg ( Germany ), ALLTEC / FOBA is part of the Veralto Corporation . n
www . fobalaser . com
L-R : Jörg Eisele , Dr . -Ing . Uwe-Peter Weigmann and Martin Mayer .
Change to the WAFIOS Executive Board
The start of 2025 coincides with a change to the Executive Board of WAFIOS , which develops , designs and produces specialist machinery for the wire and tube processing industry as well as for cold forging applications .
After 51 years at WAFIOS , Martin Holder is starting his retirement . However , he will continue to support WAFIOS AG in an advisory capacity . The new Executive Board will be made up of Dr . -Ing . Uwe-Peter Weigmann , Speaker of the Board , and new members Dipl . Ing . Jörg Eisele and Dipl . -Ing . Martin Mayer .
Dr . -Ing . Uwe-Peter Weigmann will continue to be Speaker of the Board and will be responsible for Development , IT , Finance , HR and Automation . Martin Mayer will look after Mechanical Production , Assembly , Logistics , Quality Management and Purchasing , while Jörg Eisele will head the Sales , Marketing , Service and Legal departments .
Dr . -Ing . Uwe-Peter Weigmann and Jörg Eisele will be jointly responsible for the new Spring , Tube , Wire , E-Mobility and Digital Services divisions . These business divisions incorporate customer-oriented functions such as sales , machine and tool design as well as commissioning of the corresponding products . “ Martin Holder ’ s actions have shaped the company on a long-term basis and his tireless dedication has been a driving force here . He led WAFIOS toward digitalisation early on , making the company one of the first SAP customers , and is committed to a modern and digital working environment to this day . Now his well-earned retirement awaits . On behalf of WAFIOS AG , I would like to thank my colleague for his many years of service ,” said Dr . -Ing . Uwe-Peter Weigmann , Speaker of the Board .
WAFIOS has evolved into a group of companies that consists of parent company WAFIOS AG , based in Reutlingen , plus several bases throughout Germany ( Reutlingen , Marktredwitz , Wuppertal , Berlin and Simonswald ); France ( Ecuelles ); Portugal ( Maia ); the Americas ( Branford / USA , Mokena / USA , Querétaro / Mexico and São Paulo / Brazil ) and Asia ( Shanghai / China and Zhangjiagang / China ). n
www
. wafios . com
10 | ismr . net | ISMR March 2025