In a first for both CIOMP and the TRUMPF Group, the two parties have signed a contract for a two-year research project to develop new laser technologies. The cooperative agreement was born from a visit to CIOMP by the TRUMPF Group’s research director, Dr Berthold Schmidt, in March 2015. Dr Schmidt’s kind acceptance of an invitation to visit was followed by fruitful meetings in which CIOMP and the TRUMPF Group expressed an interest and a willingness to cooperate.

In the following months, a two-year project was conceived and developed. It is to be led by Prof. Tong Cunzhu from the State Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Applications.

The TRUMPF Group is the world’s premier laser company and joins in cooperation with CIOMP – China’s premier optics and photonics research institute. In comments about the new arrangement, Dr Schmidt said, “In addition to its technical significance, this activity is an interesting cultural project as it’s the first time the TRUMPF Group has undertaken such a cooperation with a Chinese research institute.” He added, “We are convinced that we have found in CIOMP a very good partner for such an activity. Both sides look forward to showing that this can be a viable model for a longer-term relationship.”

For the two groups, the new partnership is particularly meaningful in the context of Germany’s ‘Industry 4.0’ vision for the future of manufacturing, and China’s broader ‘Made in China 2025’ initiative to comprehensively upgrade the country’s industry.

The TRUMPF Group is one of the worlds’ biggest providers of machine tools. The German family-owned company was founded in 1923 and has its head office in Ditzingen near Stuttgart. With more than 50 subsidiaries, the TRUMPF Group is represented in all important markets worldwide. Its total sales amounted to €2.9 billion FY 2014/2015.

Two parties have signed a contract(Image by CIOMP)