Thomas Merk has been appointed CEO of laser manufacturer Rofin-Sinar Technologies. Merk, who held the position of chief operating officer of the Rofin Laser Micro and Marking Group, succeeds Günther Braun as president and CEO of the company. Merk will also become a member of the company’s board of directors.
Braun will resign as a director of the company; he has been CEO since May 2005 and a member of the Rofin’s board of directors since the company’s initial public offering in September 1996.
‘We are very grateful to Günther for his contributions throughout his 26-year career with the company,’ said Dr Peter Wirth, chairman of the company’s board of directors. ‘During his tenure, he made a considerable contribution towards strengthening Rofin’s strategic position and has led the company through many phases of technological innovation.’
Wirth continued: ‘We are now entering a new phase of the company’s development and we will continue to focus on innovation while taking a firm, bottom-line approach that will accelerate our competitive advantage and build value in this market. We have chosen Thomas to be our new CEO because of his contributions and demonstrated leadership. He has deep experience in the laser industry, business vision and financial acumen.’
Merk has been chief operating officer of the Rofin Laser Micro Group since December 2005, the Rofin Laser Marking Business since July 2006, and a managing director of Rofin]Baasel Lasertech since May 2000.
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