News › OptoNet Press Release • Photonics industry on course in the crisis
According to a survey conducted by the Thuringian industry network OptoNet e.V., the majority of companies and research institutions are succeeding in actively facing the changed conditions. In recent weeks, production areas have been restructured under high pressure, personnel plans have been adjusted and strict hygiene measures have been introduced, so that as a result most companies in the photonics industry can continue to produce and research. OptoNet bundles the current needs of its members, brings their demands into the political discourse and converts events to digital offerings.
Thomas Bauer, managing director of OptoNet e.V., has spoken personally with many of the 100 players in the network over the past few weeks. While in other industrial sectors production has been shut down or greatly reduced, in the photonics industry production processes are largely continuing. Many companies have quickly created the conditions to enable numerous employees to work from home, but also to stay in contact with customers and suppliers.
Production continues • Thanks to the employees
»Of course, short-time work, declining orders and increasing problems in the supply chains also play a role,« says Thomas Bauer, »but not a single company has had to completely shut down production so far. Since most companies are very well networked internationally, order cancellations from certain regions can often still be compensated. The industry’s broad orientation towards a wide range of users, such as mechanical engineering, medical technology or information and communication technology, also enables short-term reactions. The managing directors of the companies praise above all their employees, who have responded to issues such as childcare, shifting working hours or home office with great enthusiasm, personal commitment and flexibility.
Further development dependent on international economy
However, most OptoNet members do not dare to look into the future. The long-term effects of the crisis also depend on how long the shutdown lasts in Germany and other industrial nations and what consequences it has for customer and supplier networks. Many entrepreneurs are looking with concern at business in the USA, while at the same time reporting positive signals from Asia.
Further support needed
The aid programmes set up by the State of Thuringia and the Federal Government in the form of grants, loans and short-time working allowances are largely welcomed by the respondents, with short-time working allowances being used in particular.
»We are prepared to shape our own future. However, the global scale of this crisis urgently requires accompanying measures for the photonics industry as well,« says Dr. Torsten Poßner, entrepreneur and CEO of OptoNet. The members mentioned, for example, the implementation of qualification measures, the establishment of support programs, but also measures to stabilize liquid assets and the equity ratio of the companies, including the organization of childcare. The photonics sector in Thuringia is characterized by close interaction between industry and research. For this reason, the active promotion of research and development cooperations by the state is particularly necessary in order to sustainably accompany the adjustment process of industrial structures that will be necessary after the crisis.
OptoNet bundles requirements and converts formats
OptoNet e.V. bundles the suggestions of its members and presents them to political decision-makers for discussion. At the state level, OptoNet is an active part of the Cross-Cluster Initiative Thuringia (CCIT), in which the Thuringian networks have joined forces to provide the best possible support for companies in the crisis. The office coordinates closely with the network’s board of directors, which includes small and medium-sized companies, the large Thuringian companies JENOPTIK and ZEISS as well as research institutions. As compensation for at present not realizable meeting formats digital network meetings were conceived and already first Webinars accomplished.
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