Feb 2 2010
VDMA's Photovoltaic Equipment Forum has appointed a steering committee consisting of well-known industry representatives at the beginning of this year. The steering committee will focus on further concentrating the interests of VDMA members involved in photovoltaics production equipment. Dr. Peter Fath is acting as spokesman of the new committee. He is CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG, one of the leading manufacturers of photovoltaic machinery and turn-key solar plants.
"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", underlines Fath. Moreover, the following experts were appointed committee members: Hans-Joachim Bender (Robert Bürkle GmbH), Stephan Geiger (rofin Carl Baasel Lasertechnik GmbH & Co. KG), Uwe Gottschlich (Sterling SIHI GmbH), Steffen Günther (Reis GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik), Klaus Löffler (Trumpf Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH), Carsten Mohr (W.C. Heraeus GmbH), Stefan Schiller (Schiller Automation GmbH & Co. KG), Wolfgang Schürgers (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. Nine VDMA divisions cover all aspects of the optimization of photovoltaic production. The Photovoltaic Equipment Forum exists since 2007 as an own brand with a wide range of services for its members.
"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, world-wide. 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."