Luft Steps Down as CEO of Laser 2000

Founder Armin Luft has stepped down as CEO of Laser 2000 GmbH after leading the company for more than 25 years, Laser 2000 announced on Tuesday. Also resigning was the entire management board. Luft was replaced by Dr. Rüdiger Hack, a former employee of Trumpf, JDSU and Coherent, effective March 1.

Luft founded Laser 2000, which is based in Wessling, outside Munich, in 1986. The company is a supplier to the photonics market — research and industry — across Europe. He will remain involved with the company as an adviser and shareholder.

Hack is now sole managing director and has become an additional shareholder in Laser 2000, the company said.

Hack began his career at Trumpf GmbH & Co., where he was responsible for US sales. He spent many years working in Silicon Valley, during which time he served as marketing manager for JDS Uniphase Corp. and then worldwide sales director for Coherent Inc.

Hack earned a degree in mechanical engineering with a main focus on laser technology at the University of Stuttgart. He obtained his doctorate in fiber-guided high-power solid-state lasers.

For more information, visit: www.laser2000.de