LPKF Laser & Electronics AG´s solar business develops positively
LPKF interviewed by Dr. Kalliwoda Research
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technology
Garbsen (euro adhoc) - Two years after entering the solar market, LPKF has established itself as an independent supplier of laser scribers. Kai Bentz, 36, CFO of the laser specialist company based in Garbsen, Germany, gives a positive review of the performance in this sector to date.
Dr. Kalliwoda: Mr Bentz, LPKF has an excellent reputation for supplying high-tech laser systems in highly specialised niches in the electronics sector. Do the new solar scribers fit in well in your business portfolio?
Bentz: Of course. Our core competencies are in laser material processing, drive technology and control technology. This is precisely the combination of expertise required for the micrometer-accurate structuring of thin film solar cells - a field in which our technical excellence and experience makes us feel very much at home. In addition to the extremely high technical specifications, the solar industry also demands almost permanent system availability. We meet this demand with our experience in having produced hundreds of laser machines with completely non-wearing control systems. We therefore have the ideal requirements for establishing ourselves as supplier in the solar sector.
Dr. Kalliwoda: The solar market in Germany in particular has enjoyed very dynamic growth in recent years, and is therefore subject to tough competition. Can a medium-sized enterprise like LPKF maintain a long-term market position under these conditions?
Bentz: We are convinced that we can, and have good cause for optimism given the excellent performance of our Solar segment in the last two years. We deliberately concentrate here on laser scribers for all established thin film technologies. Our headquarters in Garbsen is the location of an application center where interested parties and clients can see for themselves the many advantages of laser structuring. We also benefit from the international structure of the LPKF Group. At the beginning of September we exhibited at the photovoltaic trade fair in Valencia. We received a great deal of positive feedback at the show which confirmed that we are pursuing a good strategy with our technical focus.
Dr. Kalliwoda: What are the main advantages that your solar clients enjoy?
Bentz: Our most important trump card is precision combined with high throughput rates. The precision of our laser systems for the scribing of solar cells means that our clients can optimise the areal efficiency of their modules - in other words, smaller non-productive areas and higher yields. Our systems also boast higher tolerances to different substrate temperatures and substrate shape distortion. This cuts costs for our clients and boosts module yields.
Dr. Kalliwoda: Are you satisfied with the current level of orders in hand, and do you envisage strong growth in 2009?
Bentz: We are very pleased with the current level of orders in hand in the Solar segment. We received additional orders for solar scribers a few days ago, and assume that this business will continue to grow in 2009 as well.
___________________________ LPKF Laser & Electronics AG has a renowned worldwide reputation for laser technology, laser machining, and drive technology. With 370 employees around the world LPKF develops and distributes systems used throughout the electronic manufacturing industry, automotive industry, and the production of solar panels; with 75% of turnover from exports.
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Further inquiry note:
Ulrike Thoms-von Meding
LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
Tel.: +49(0)5131 7095 326
u.thomsvonmeding@lpkf.de
Branche: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0006450000
WKN: 645000
Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
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Original-Content von: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG, übermittelt durch news aktuell