Our network is growing, as well as the challenges and complexity of the topics which our industry has to address. This is why we like to expand our offerings in terms our content and provide more opportunities for exchange on specific topics. In areas that the OptoNet working groups are focused on, they offer valuable information from experts and peers, an opportunity for exchange and networking. The outcome can be guidelines, strategies or joint projects.
OptoNet-Working Groups
The working groups are aligned with OptoNet’s most strategically important fields of activity. The working groups on Skilled Workforce, Quality Assurance and Sustainability, International Sales and Cooperation, and Corporate Management are already well established. This year, the topic of AI will be added.
Participation in the meetings is free of charge for OptoNet members. Active contribution of know-how, needs, and best practices is explicitly encouraged.
OptoNet-Working Group· human resources
The photonics industry is expecting sales growth of more than 10% in the coming years. That is also being reflected in the personnel forecasts: by the end of 2024, a total of almost 2,000 new positions will need to be filled through expansion and replacement. At the same time, we are facing a massive decline in the working-age population in Thuringia in the coming years. In addition, the number of graduates in the relevant STEM subjects is also stagnating.
To ensure growth and innovation in our technology sector, there is much for us and the industry to do over the next few years. The regular exchange in the OptoNet Working Group for HR topcs will support the exchange of best practice examples and experiences and help to develop new ideas and strategies for your own organization.
Goals & benefits
- Direct, informal and personal exchange of current information and experiences
- Expansion of the personal network for HR topics
- Exchange with peers
- Encouraging fair and collegial interaction within the network
Topics
- Employer branding, employee life circle
- Recruiting, onboarding, personnel development, personnel retention measures, exit management
- Young talent development: career orientation, trainee and student marketing
- Recruitment of international employees
- Payment models
Who should attend?
Executives and HR managers of OptoNet member organizations
Working-Group Moderation
Reiner Wunderlich
HR-Manager Vistec Electron Beam GmbH
OptoNet contact
Natalja Bajkovski
Talent Aquisition
OptoNet-Working Group · Quality assurance & sustainability
Sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a fundamental obligation that we as innovators and experts in the photonics industry must and want to live up to. At a time when our planet’s resources are becoming ever scarcer and environmental pollution is increasing, it is essential that technologies and processes are designed in a sustainable way.
Together, in our OptoNet Quality Assurance and Sustainability Working Group, we can develop innovative solutions, use resources efficiently and promote environmentally friendly practices.
Goals & benefits
- Direct, informal and confidential exchange of current information and experiences
- Expanding your personal network for sustainability and environmental issues
- Knowledge building and exchange with experts
Topics
- Resource efficiency and circular economy
- Energy efficiency
- Reporting obligations and product carbon footprinting
- Sustainable materials
- Education and awareness
- Social sustainability
Who should attend?
Quality and environmental management officers, as well as managers and employees from member organizations interested in sustainability issues
Working-Group Moderation
Beate Hager
Global Quality Systems Jabil Optics Germany
OptoNet contact
Steffen Züge
Technology Management
OptoNet-Working Group · International sales and cooperations
With an export quota of 70 percent, international topics must be the focus of our network activities. Experience has shown that there is a strong demand for member organizations to exchange information with each other and that networking with partners from the same international target regions and markets is advantageous.
The OptoNet International Sales & Cooperation working group aims to provide information on current topics and events of relevant international partners and regions, evaluate and process relevant sales markets and work on cross-cutting topics such as sales, service, HR and legal issues.
Goals & benefits
- Exchange of current information and experiences
- Promotion of concrete cooperation with trustworthy partners
- Support in expanding the international competitive edge
- Increasing the visibility of the organizations and their expertise
Topics
- Market overviews, sales potential and recommendations for action, also according to fields of application
- International sales and service organization
- International HR work: legal framework, intercultural aspects, (international) regional labor market and potential HR partners
- Customs and export overviews, credit protection and insurance
Who should attend?
Managing directors of OptoNet members, managers from sales and marketing, business development, service and HR
Working-Group Moderation
Annett Fünfarek
Docter Optics GmbH
OptoNet contact
Anke Siegmeier
Managing Director
OptoNet-Working Group · Corporate management
No other photonics region in the world has such a dense regional network as Thuringia. Even though there are close contacts between the players, OptoNet would like to intensify the exchange between the owners and management of the predominantly medium-sized industrial companies.
The OptoNet working group on corporate management is intended to bring regional company managers together in a trusting circle and promote networking at management level.
Goals & benefits
- Discussion and exchange on current topics from the management context
- Initiation and promotion of joint projects
- Increasing personal visibility, but also that of the organization and its expertise
- Expansion of the personal network at management level
Topics
- Joint location topics and industry-specific discussions on regional policy projects
- Production and sales cooperations
- Overarching HR topics such as works constitution law, working time and remuneration models
Target Group
Management and production management of OptoNet member organizations
Working-Group Moderation
Dr. Jörg Wagner
CEO LEJ Leistungselektronik Jena GmbH
OptoNet contact
Anke Siegmeier
Managing Director
OptoNet-Working Group · Artificial Intelligence
The introduction of artificial intelligence into manufacturing processes is becoming increasingly important for OptoNet member companies. Many organizations are currently exploring potential applications or have already launched initial projects.
With the new OptoNet Working Group on Artificial Intelligence, we aim to support this development. The working group facilitates exchange among photonics companies of similar size and production technologies, enabling shared learning, giving a voice to pioneers and experts, and fostering the open discussion of experiences, challenges, and recommendations.
Goals & benefits
- Knowledge building and exchange with experts
- Discussion of best practice examples and collaborative learning
- Initiation of joint projects and resource sharing
- Establishing contacts with experienced implementation partners
- Expansion of personal networks in photonics manufacturing, automation, and AI
Topics
- Data relevance and data quality, input and decision parameters
- Discussion of concrete efficiency gains and best practice examples
- Tools and ecosystems, internal workflow AI automation, and database integration
- Legal and security aspects in manufacturing environments
Target Group
General management as well as professionals from IT, development, production, process planning, quality management, and innovation.
Working-Group Moderation
Konstanze Olschweski
Managing Director Alpha Analytics UG (haftungsbeschränkt) & Co. KG
OptoNet contact
Anke Siegmeier
Managing Director