“We have sustainably consolidated our role in the market”

ACI Laser is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Congratulations on this. What are the most important milestones in ACI Laser’s history and what are you particularly proud of?

25 years is a long time. We have been able to sustainably prove our role on the market in the field of laser marking and laser material processing. This is reflected in the many well-known customers who rely on ACI’s expertise, solutions and enormous flexibility. This makes us very proud, but is also an incentive and a responsibility.

How did you become interested in lasers and what fascinates you about this technology?

The topic of lasers has been with me since my studies. Laser radiation exudes a fascination that is difficult to put into words. The processing of materials with light and interaction with materials is still exciting for me today and has lost none of its appeal.

How are you celebrating ACI Laser’s 25th anniversary?

The focus is on our employees, customers, business partners and suppliers. Without them, our long-term success would not have been possible. The motto for the entire year is “25 years of ACI”. We would like to thank our loyal customers and business partners with special events. The highlight will be our anniversary celebration in June!

Cover motif of the company anniversary: Targeted material removal on metal realized with engraving lasers from ACI

ACI Laser is one of around 90 hidden champions in Thuringia. What makes ACI Laser special?

Our appeal naturally extends far beyond Thuringia. We are on the market with our products and services throughout Germany, Europe and worldwide. As an owner-managed, medium-sized company, we have embarked on a solid and sustainable growth path. Healthy, self-financed growth is particularly important to me. Today, we are characterized by a wide range of products with innovative software solutions. Speed, flexibility and an extremely high level of consulting expertise are particularly important – and this is where we clearly stand out from our competitors. With a flat corporate structure, we make quick and targeted decisions both internally and in customer projects. A clear advantage of our mid-sized structure.

ACI Laser is known for the striking and streamlined design of its products. How important are aesthetics to you?

Design played an important role early on at ACI. We were clear pioneers here and have shown that you can emphasize the technical functional features of a product with an appealing design.

Marking laser DPL Nexus Marker of the Business Diode IR series

You attach great importance to the high quality and durability of your products, which also incur low maintenance costs. How do you achieve these standards and how do you contribute to environmental protection?

The longevity of our products, but also the long-term service and availability of spare parts are of enormous importance to us. With very few exceptions, all lasers built by ACI over the last 25 years can still be maintained and serviced today. This in particular forms the basis for a long-term partnership. And this is exactly what customers can expect from us when they choose ACI. Our products are not only durable, but also environmentally friendly and resource-saving. This is our contribution to sustainable business.

You offer your customers your own laser software, which makes it easy to operate the laser systems. How do you integrate customer requests and feedback into your software development and what new functions are you planning for the future?

Our own software solution is very important to us. It is an important unique selling point. In addition to its user-friendliness, the software includes extensive interfaces that enable external access. It is particularly important for our well-known customers to be able to easily map internal company requirements in terms of function, interfaces and software interface. Unlike our market competitors, we make these interfaces available to our customers so that they can also implement customer-specific solutions themselves. This creates a high level of trust with the customer and enables them to make adjustments independently of ACI.

Our Magic Mark software solution continues to develop dynamically. Proximity to our customers is very important to us. We map their application requirements in our software in close cooperation with them. This is realized either through direct implementation or through extensions in plug-ins.

You currently have more than 5000 systems installed worldwide. How do you organize your international sales strategy and which markets are of particular interest to you?

In addition to our own sales structure in Germany and our subsidiary in Mexico, we have an international network of competent sales and trading partners who take ACI solutions around the world. This is not just about sales, but also about long-term support and service for our devices. Today, we think less in terms of regions and more in terms of markets. We need to be where our customers are. They often operate internationally and use our laser systems worldwide.

The markets for ACI are diverse. From mechanical engineering, the automotive and supplier industry, medical technology, electrical engineering and electronics, the tool industry through to the jewelry industry, our laser systems are used in a wide variety of sectors. There have always been economic fluctuations in individual sectors. However, the breadth of our activities makes ACI very resilient to fluctuations in individual market segments.

Complete turnkey solution: Workstation Professional

How are you facing the economic and political challenges at ACI Laser this year?

The challenges are enormous. After an economic recovery phase following the coronavirus pandemic, we are currently seeing a rather difficult economic environment and growing reluctance to invest. The main influencing factors here are energy and a lack of confidence in political action on the part of the economy. Here in particular, we would like to see a political framework that allows us to focus on the essentials of our business. Increased bureaucracy, high taxes and social security contributions, and in some cases completely excessive standards and regulations are making it increasingly difficult to remain internationally competitive.

How do you think laser technology has changed the most in the last 25 years?

The introduction of fiber laser technology has led to a generational leap in technology and material processing efficiency in many areas. Our product range has also changed in such a way that fiber lasers are now the method of choice for many applications.

Fiber laser DFL Ventus Marker Industrial Design

How do you see the future of laser marking and what trends and innovations do you expect in the coming years?

In our view, the market for laser marking systems is divided into two areas: firstly, standard systems, which are increasingly to be found on the market in the low-budget sector, and secondly – and this is where ACI is positioning itself – in areas where complex applications, integration solutions and software connections to production processes are required. We are increasingly focusing on vision systems for fully automatic object recognition and read-back systems for code marking, coupled with individual software solutions for customers.

What goals do you have for ACI Laser over the next few years and how do you intend to achieve them?

ACI will continue to be active in the field of micro material processing and laser trimming and will open up and expand new business areas. These will overtake laser marking, which still dominates the market today, in the medium term and give ACI a bright future. We are also focusing on the continued expansion of our international sales structure.

What is your position on the industrial electricity price?

I don’t believe in a subsidized industrial electricity price at all. Ultimately, it is companies’ and citizens’ money that was first generated through tax revenues and is then given back. It would make much more sense to finally discuss and decide on fundamental reforms to the taxation of businesses and citizens than to create even more exemptions or subsidies. Furthermore, it is the task of politicians to create framework conditions for safe and affordable energy.

How do you deal with the shortage of skilled workers?

This is of course a major issue. We try to position ourselves as an attractive employer and have made arrangements that allow our employees to combine work and private life. We are open to foreign qualified specialists and have had very positive experiences.

View into the prefabrication of ACI Laser

How would you describe the corporate culture at ACI Laser and how do you promote the motivation and commitment of your employees?

As already mentioned, we have a flat hierarchy at ACI. At management level, we strive for open and trusting cooperation with the entire team. Our department heads and I always have an open ear for questions and concerns from colleagues, despite our own heavy workload. Mutual trust, sharing in company successes, recognition and respect for each individual should always ensure a committed and motivated working atmosphere.

What is your outlook for the 2024 financial year? From ACI’s point of view and also from your personal perspective?

Despite the current conditions, I am optimistic. We will also succeed in implementing many projects this year and consistently continue on our path. It will be important to build on the foundations we have laid for the development of new applications and markets. Personally, especially here in Thuringia, I hope that politicians will finally manage to find answers and solutions and regain trust so that extreme forces in our country do not find a basis and benefit from the government’s weakness. Free trade, a stable euro and a common European economic area will continue to be a basic prerequisite for ACI’s success in the future.

The interview was conducted by Alexander Gölz, Editor-in-Chief of Beschaffung aktuell, Industrieanzeiger and Quality Engineering at Konradin publishing company.