rus
Coherent is one of the world’s leading suppliers of lasers and laser technologies for scientific, commercial and industrial customers. We met with the CEO of Coherent, Dr. John Ambrosio. In a conversation with us, he talked about the company, the strategy of its development and his personal experience.
So, firstly we would like to talk about the future of laser technology. What do you think about the application of lasers in 10–15 years? Will lasers play a huge role in the life of society? Or will it be narrow field of industry?
Lasers were invented and put into practice more than 50 years ago. At that time it was a very useful innovative technology. It was used in most cases due to the lack of an alternative. If you look at the past few years or look ahead, then in most cases you can observe or predicted significant changes. I will give three general examples.
We as a human race want to improve living conditions. People want to be healthier, increase comfort and age of life. Laser technology plays an important role for achieving these goals. For example, lasers are used for DNA sequencing as well as for the identification and treatment of diseases such as HIV. Therefore, the development of laser technology significantly affects the level of our life.
Consider the interrelation of laser technology and industry. About 40–50 years ago, lasers actively contributed to the development of industry thanks to the possibility of creating a narrow beam of intense light. In particular, the growth was observed after the development of a fiber laser. And such companies as IPG Photonics, founded in Russia, expand the opportunities and engine the industry. I think that lasers are no longer an auxiliary tool. Together with basic technologies, lasers can improve the efficiency and reliability of industrial instruments. In addition, there is a tendency to reduce the cost of laser equipment.
Another promising and rapidly growing industry at the moment is an additive manufacturing. In that technology it is used the laser and material for creation 3D object in real time. There are a number of companies that manufacture metal components from materials in the form of powder. This technology makes it possible to greatly reduce the cost of industrial production.
Lasers are also utilized for everyday life. For example, they are used during production mobile phones, which we constantly keep in our pockets. Generally laser technology is widely used in data transmission systems.
So despite the fact that laser technology is invisible for the eye in most cases, it plays an important role for us.
What can you say about competitive technologies?
There are a lot of alternative technologies. For example, traditional machine tools, incoherent sources and LEDs. Such technologies can be more expensive to use or inefficient. They occupy their specific niches. I think that laser technology is competitive for many existing technological solutions.
So this technology is used in industry most actively?
Exactly!
What technologies are complementary to the laser industry? What methods can be used to improve laser systems? What additional tools do you use to make progress?
The basic building component is the material. Consequently, material science brings a great benefit for development of the industry. In addition, progress in the semiconductor industry gives an impulse to the evolution of industrial lasers.
Let’s talk about the development of the company. It is known that lasers are an energy-consuming industry. How widespread are your manufacturing facilities in the world?
Not all over the world, but rather in many countries
Are environmental standards the same in different countries or do you use a differentiated approach?
We have our own views on the development of the company and ecology issues. In some cases we are guided by local laws that impose their own limitations. Indeed, the laser industry is energy-consuming, but if we look at our technological progress over the last 15–20 years, the consumption of electricity has decreased by 30–40%.
Great result!
Due to technological progress laser systems are becoming more efficient. As an additional source of electricity we use solar energy. Although we do not have an opportunity to use this energy for all tasks, but with this solution we consistently increase the efficiency of production. Another important factor is applying of the recycling system.
We read that your company has built special rooms for recycling of old batteries and accumulators. Please tell us more about the recycling of old equipment.
We try to develop lasers for long-term operation and the possibility of subsequent repair. The company has an internal repair department. During repair work the key elements are replaced. For example, laser active medium.
Please tell a few words concerning intellectual property management in your company
This is rather difficult work due to the discrepancy in the rules in different countries. We have an archive of our numerous patents. We are working to protect our know-how. In other words, while some information is intellectual property, it is not disclosed to third person.
Do you sell patents and take a royalty?
The company is not interested in selling its patents. We focus on introducing our own know-how in our production.
What was the company’s strategy to enter the industrial laser market?
I would like to make sure that we have the same understanding of the term "industrial lasers". Industrial lasers are used for materials processing. There are four areas of application for this type of lasers: microelectronics, material processing, medicine and science. In medicine the lasers are used for diagnosis as well as treatment of various diseases. The first two markets are the main customers of industrial lasers. Historically, our company is the leader in the microelectronics market. We are also one of the leaders in the materials processing market. Strategically, we aimed to take a leading position in the laser industry. We spent years on company development to become one of the industry leaders. An alternative is to use financial opportunities to expand business. For example, last year we purchased Rofin Sinar spending a total of 940 million dollars.
Will the company continue to work on the production of lasers for scientific research?
Sure! The given market is small in comparison with the others, however there are two important things related with this area.
The first is innovations. The activity of scientists is connected with the discovery of new opportunities. We promote our solutions in the market, where the people are most interested in new technologies. The second is potential customers. We are constantly working to develop relationships and exchange relevant information with our customers. Our partners, connected with science, set the direction of technology development. The obtained results are subsequently used in industry.
Coherent became a very famous and successful company. It is a global player in the laser technology market. Please could you tell us a few words about the secret of the company’s success?
In short, this is excellent reliability and performance. Increase in productivity leads to the expansion of the customers capabilities. It works in all markets. High reliability ensures minimum costs for repair and maintenance throughout the laser life of operation. If specified two parameters are at a high level, then there is a high probability to achieve a leading position in the market.
What personal qualities of employees make it possible to succeed?
I believe that a person working with us should have natural curiosity and the teamwork ability. Currently we have about 300 vacancies.
What specialists are you looking for and what are your expectations for future employees?
Usually new employees come to us after graduation of the university or after the Ph.D. defense. I remember how I talked with a candidate for the position of engineer. He had a good education after graduate school. I asked him about his scientific work. During our conversation he told me about a very narrow area where he carries out scientific activity. He was very keen on this problem, despite the fact that about twenty scientists from all over the world were interested in this topic. Thus, we are looking for enthusiastic and self-improving people. These are very important qualities that I would like to see in our future employees.
It is worth noting that we spend a lot of time for training our employees, so the company focuses on long-term business relationships.
Are there any employees in the company, which started to work with you?
Yes, this employee is one of the best mechanical engineers in the company. He has been working with us for 51 years. Awesome man.
What’s his name?
Wayne Mefford. He is one of the six founders of the company
I think our readers will be interested in this interview. Thank you!
Not at all!
Members of the editorial office of the PHOTONICA magazine: Olga Azarova, Natalia Istomina, Larisa Karyakina and General Director of OOO Lasertrek, the official representative of Coherent in Russia and CIS, Sergey Pentegov took part in the conversation
Coherent was founded in May of 1966. As it was for most companies starting out in the mid-60’s, the company’s start was modest. With limited financial resources, Coherent established its headquarters in the Palo Alto, CA home of one of its founders. At that time, the most pressing need was for a 220-volt power outlet, which forced Coherent’s brain trust to build their first laser in a laundry room. In the summer of 1966, next to a washer and dryer, and using a piece of rain gutter as a key component, Coherent’s founders began building their first laser. Four months later, Coherent unveiled the very first CO2 commercially available laser.
Today, Coherent is one of the world’s leading photonics manufacturers and innovators. With headquarters in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, and offices spanning the globe, Coherent offers a unique and distinct product portfolio that touches many different markets and industries.
www.coherent.com/company
Lasers were invented and put into practice more than 50 years ago. At that time it was a very useful innovative technology. It was used in most cases due to the lack of an alternative. If you look at the past few years or look ahead, then in most cases you can observe or predicted significant changes. I will give three general examples.
We as a human race want to improve living conditions. People want to be healthier, increase comfort and age of life. Laser technology plays an important role for achieving these goals. For example, lasers are used for DNA sequencing as well as for the identification and treatment of diseases such as HIV. Therefore, the development of laser technology significantly affects the level of our life.
Consider the interrelation of laser technology and industry. About 40–50 years ago, lasers actively contributed to the development of industry thanks to the possibility of creating a narrow beam of intense light. In particular, the growth was observed after the development of a fiber laser. And such companies as IPG Photonics, founded in Russia, expand the opportunities and engine the industry. I think that lasers are no longer an auxiliary tool. Together with basic technologies, lasers can improve the efficiency and reliability of industrial instruments. In addition, there is a tendency to reduce the cost of laser equipment.
Another promising and rapidly growing industry at the moment is an additive manufacturing. In that technology it is used the laser and material for creation 3D object in real time. There are a number of companies that manufacture metal components from materials in the form of powder. This technology makes it possible to greatly reduce the cost of industrial production.
Lasers are also utilized for everyday life. For example, they are used during production mobile phones, which we constantly keep in our pockets. Generally laser technology is widely used in data transmission systems.
So despite the fact that laser technology is invisible for the eye in most cases, it plays an important role for us.
What can you say about competitive technologies?
There are a lot of alternative technologies. For example, traditional machine tools, incoherent sources and LEDs. Such technologies can be more expensive to use or inefficient. They occupy their specific niches. I think that laser technology is competitive for many existing technological solutions.
So this technology is used in industry most actively?
Exactly!
What technologies are complementary to the laser industry? What methods can be used to improve laser systems? What additional tools do you use to make progress?
The basic building component is the material. Consequently, material science brings a great benefit for development of the industry. In addition, progress in the semiconductor industry gives an impulse to the evolution of industrial lasers.
Let’s talk about the development of the company. It is known that lasers are an energy-consuming industry. How widespread are your manufacturing facilities in the world?
Not all over the world, but rather in many countries
Are environmental standards the same in different countries or do you use a differentiated approach?
We have our own views on the development of the company and ecology issues. In some cases we are guided by local laws that impose their own limitations. Indeed, the laser industry is energy-consuming, but if we look at our technological progress over the last 15–20 years, the consumption of electricity has decreased by 30–40%.
Great result!
Due to technological progress laser systems are becoming more efficient. As an additional source of electricity we use solar energy. Although we do not have an opportunity to use this energy for all tasks, but with this solution we consistently increase the efficiency of production. Another important factor is applying of the recycling system.
We read that your company has built special rooms for recycling of old batteries and accumulators. Please tell us more about the recycling of old equipment.
We try to develop lasers for long-term operation and the possibility of subsequent repair. The company has an internal repair department. During repair work the key elements are replaced. For example, laser active medium.
Please tell a few words concerning intellectual property management in your company
This is rather difficult work due to the discrepancy in the rules in different countries. We have an archive of our numerous patents. We are working to protect our know-how. In other words, while some information is intellectual property, it is not disclosed to third person.
Do you sell patents and take a royalty?
The company is not interested in selling its patents. We focus on introducing our own know-how in our production.
What was the company’s strategy to enter the industrial laser market?
I would like to make sure that we have the same understanding of the term "industrial lasers". Industrial lasers are used for materials processing. There are four areas of application for this type of lasers: microelectronics, material processing, medicine and science. In medicine the lasers are used for diagnosis as well as treatment of various diseases. The first two markets are the main customers of industrial lasers. Historically, our company is the leader in the microelectronics market. We are also one of the leaders in the materials processing market. Strategically, we aimed to take a leading position in the laser industry. We spent years on company development to become one of the industry leaders. An alternative is to use financial opportunities to expand business. For example, last year we purchased Rofin Sinar spending a total of 940 million dollars.
Will the company continue to work on the production of lasers for scientific research?
Sure! The given market is small in comparison with the others, however there are two important things related with this area.
The first is innovations. The activity of scientists is connected with the discovery of new opportunities. We promote our solutions in the market, where the people are most interested in new technologies. The second is potential customers. We are constantly working to develop relationships and exchange relevant information with our customers. Our partners, connected with science, set the direction of technology development. The obtained results are subsequently used in industry.
Coherent became a very famous and successful company. It is a global player in the laser technology market. Please could you tell us a few words about the secret of the company’s success?
In short, this is excellent reliability and performance. Increase in productivity leads to the expansion of the customers capabilities. It works in all markets. High reliability ensures minimum costs for repair and maintenance throughout the laser life of operation. If specified two parameters are at a high level, then there is a high probability to achieve a leading position in the market.
What personal qualities of employees make it possible to succeed?
I believe that a person working with us should have natural curiosity and the teamwork ability. Currently we have about 300 vacancies.
What specialists are you looking for and what are your expectations for future employees?
Usually new employees come to us after graduation of the university or after the Ph.D. defense. I remember how I talked with a candidate for the position of engineer. He had a good education after graduate school. I asked him about his scientific work. During our conversation he told me about a very narrow area where he carries out scientific activity. He was very keen on this problem, despite the fact that about twenty scientists from all over the world were interested in this topic. Thus, we are looking for enthusiastic and self-improving people. These are very important qualities that I would like to see in our future employees.
It is worth noting that we spend a lot of time for training our employees, so the company focuses on long-term business relationships.
Are there any employees in the company, which started to work with you?
Yes, this employee is one of the best mechanical engineers in the company. He has been working with us for 51 years. Awesome man.
What’s his name?
Wayne Mefford. He is one of the six founders of the company
I think our readers will be interested in this interview. Thank you!
Not at all!
Members of the editorial office of the PHOTONICA magazine: Olga Azarova, Natalia Istomina, Larisa Karyakina and General Director of OOO Lasertrek, the official representative of Coherent in Russia and CIS, Sergey Pentegov took part in the conversation
Coherent was founded in May of 1966. As it was for most companies starting out in the mid-60’s, the company’s start was modest. With limited financial resources, Coherent established its headquarters in the Palo Alto, CA home of one of its founders. At that time, the most pressing need was for a 220-volt power outlet, which forced Coherent’s brain trust to build their first laser in a laundry room. In the summer of 1966, next to a washer and dryer, and using a piece of rain gutter as a key component, Coherent’s founders began building their first laser. Four months later, Coherent unveiled the very first CO2 commercially available laser.
Today, Coherent is one of the world’s leading photonics manufacturers and innovators. With headquarters in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, and offices spanning the globe, Coherent offers a unique and distinct product portfolio that touches many different markets and industries.
www.coherent.com/company
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