DirectPhotonics Industries GmbH, a provider of ultrahigh-brightness direct diode lasers for materials processing, announced Tuesday that it has named ULO Optics Inc. of Los Gatos, Calif., as its representative for the US and Canada. Founded in 2011, DirectPhotonics produces laser systems for micro- and macromaterials processing applications. ULO Optics Inc. was founded to distribute England-based ULO Optics Ltd.'s infrared optics technology in the Americas. Its founder and leader, Silke Pflueger, will manage the sale of DirectPhotonics’ products to the industrial and scientific markets in North America. Pflueger has a PhD in mechanical engineering from the RWTH Aachen. Her previous positions include director of marketing and sales at Laserline Inc. and at SPI Lasers, engineering and marketing positions at SDL and JDSU, and engineering positions at Fraunhofer ILT and Fraunhofer USA. Her expertise is in laser systems, materials processing and optical engineering. “I am excited that Silke has elected to join the DirectPhotonics team,” said Wolfgang Gries, president and CEO of DirectPhotonics. “She has strong customer relationships within [the] North American market and the right expertise to grow DirectPhotonics's presence.” For more information, visit: www.directphotonics.com