The German Engineering Federation (VDMA) appointed a steering committee of well-known industry representatives at the beginning of 2010, to focus on further concentrating the interests of VDMA members…
The German Engineering Federation (VDMA) appointed a steering committee of well-known industry representatives at the beginning of 2010, to focus on further concentrating the interests of VDMA members involved in photovoltaic production equipment. Nine divisions of VDMA deal with the entire range of aspects of photovoltaic production optimization. The Photovoltaic Equipment Forum, set up in 2007 as an own brand, has a wide range of services for its members. Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG, one of the leading manufacturers of photovoltaic machinery and turnkey solar plants is acting as spokesman of the new committee. We managed to have all the essential steps along the photovoltaics process chain represented by steering committee members. I am looking forward to further strengthen VDMA“s photovoltaics competence together with the experienced colleagues, says Fath. The following experts were also appointed committee members: Hans-Joachim Bender (Robert Brkle GmbH), Stephan Geiger (rofin Carl Baasel Lasertechnik GmbH & Co. KG), Uwe Gottschlich (Sterling SIHI GmbH), Steffen Gnther (Reis GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik), Klaus Lffler (Trumpf Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH), Carsten Mohr (W.C. Heraeus GmbH), Stefan Schiller (Schiller Automation GmbH & Co. KG), Wolfgang Schrgers (Herbert Arnold GmbH & Co. KG), Egbert Wenninger (Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH). The Steering Committee Photovoltaics Equipment is a representative body for more than 100 member companies of VDMA within this booming, export-oriented industry sector, adds Thilo Brodtmann, deputy executive director of VDMA. Innovations in machinery and plant manufacturing guarantee the continuous cost reduction we need for solar power generation. German machine makers are forerunners in this industry sector, worldwide. Thus, VDMA as the largest European industry association is the ideal platform to further extend our lead, Fath explains. One of our main objectives is the development of roadmaps for photovoltaic production, which can provide useful orientation for machine manufacturers. Besides, we need further market transparency, networking quality and visibility for the industry sector. The Steering Committee will intensively support VDMA“s activities in this respect.