EVENT FOCUS EPIC AGM
EPIC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
is the norm for this event which is the highest executive level at the association. What was unique was the government support for photonics, present at the event were Ingrida Šimonytė the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Remigijus Šimašius, the Mayor of Vilnius, and the Vice- Minister of Economy and Innovation, Jovita Neliupšienė. The event was on this occasion complemented with 11 local company visits allowing attendees to gain a greater understanding of the photonics manufacturing capabilities in the region. The Gala Dinner took place at the exceptional Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.” The event was in-person only. Lee said that EPIC organises two kinds of meetings: online events, which are efficient and are a good opportunity to remain informed about technology trends, and physical meetings which allow for building strong relations. He explained that EPIC doesn’t organize hybrid meetings, the promise is that for anyone present at a meeting, they will have ample opportunities to have a quality discussion.
The European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) held its 2022 AGN in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 7th – 8th April. EPIC is the world leading industry association that promotes the sustainable development of organizations working in the field of photonics in Europe. EPIC represents over 750 companies and fosters a vibrant photonics ecosystem by maintaining a strong network and acting as a catalyst and facilitator for technological and commercial advancement. As is usual at an AGM, the financial accounts from the previous year were approved and Jan Meise, CEO of ams Technologies was thanked for serving his 2 terms om the EPIC Board of Directors. Two of the main highlights however, were the appointment of a newmember to the Board of Directors, and the presentation of the EPIC CEO Award 2022.
Reinhard Voelkel receives the CEO Award 2022 from EPIC President Benno Oderkerk
The recipient of the EPIC CEO Award 2022 was Reinhard Voelkel, CEO of SUSS MicroOptics. In 2019, SUSS MicroOptics set up an Imprint Excellence Centre for the manufacturing of wafer-level optics with the aim to use a new generation of SUSS MicroTec’s manufacturing equipment to prove the pilot production and thus the possibility of volume production of high-quality freeformmicro-optics for applications such as microlens arrays for automotive, sensors and cameras, a technology that is being tested at the EU funded project PHABULOuS Pilot Line Services to help bring the whole European micro-optics manufacturing imprint to 2.0, i.e. from a lab state to a fully industrialised state. According to EPIC Director General, Carlos Lee, the success of MicroOptis relies on the explosion of light sources and related applications that made it possible to break into so many new markets and their sustainable and realistic growth with a focus on investing in excellence.
The newmember elected to EPIC’s Board of Directors, Nicoletta Casanova, is CEO and President of FEMTOprint,
The EPIC AGM 2023 will be held in Helsinki.
a Swiss high-tech company that uses
light as a powerful ink source to manufacture 3D printed microdevices in glass and other transparent materials. Benno Oderkerk,
EPIC publishes market and technology reports, organizes technical workshops and B2B roundtables, supports EU funding proposals, advocacy and lobbying, education and training activities, standards and roadmaps, pavilions at exhibitions. EPIC puts its extensive network and experience to the benefit of its members to support companies accelerate their growth and technological advancements, and reaching out to emerging photonics markets.
Nicoletta Casanova
President of EPIC, said that “we are excited to welcome Nicoletta Casanova to the EPIC Board of Directors and look forward benefit from her energy, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit to the board.” “It is a privilege for me to join the EPIC Board of Directors. The association has been experiencing impressive growth in recent years and has an even more ambitious vision for the future, which intrigued me”, said Casanova. “My story is studded with collaborations. FEMTOprint is the result of a European collaborative project and is an example of how working together synergistically leads to success. I am therefore very happy to support EPIC’s strategy and to contribute with my enthusiasm and passion for innovation in this very challenging historical moment. This nomination comes with the opening of our FEMTOprint branch in Neuchâtel (CH) - completely dedicated to the development and production of photonic components, with the aim of strengthening the support for the European ecosystem.”
The AGM was hailed by Director General Carlos Lee as a resounding success, He
said, “There were over 150 people, almost exclusively CEO level. What was particular this year was that for several attendees this was the first airplane trip since the pandemic, and the pleasure to meet other people face-to- face was palpable.” He commented, “The EPIC Annual General Meeting had an attractive agenda and flawless logistics, but this
EPIC Board Members left to right: Carlos Lee, Ulrike Helfferich, Basil Garabet, Adam Piotrowski, Samuel Bucourt, Benno Oderkerk, Jan Meise, Christian Bosshard, Nicoletta Casanova
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| ISSUE 29 | Q2 2022
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