New EPIC President: Benno Oderkerk, Co-Founder & CEO of AVANTES
Benno Oderkerk, Co-Founder & CEO of AVANTES, has been appointed President of the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC). An entrepreneur, Benno brings to the association his experience of growing a company and raising the level of professionalism that is expected from a leading organization. “EPIC is on a mission to build a strong network of trusted experts and leaders. I am proud to join an association which feedback from those who interact with praise the high level of professionalism of the organization and the knowledge of the staff.” said Benno. EPIC is indeed strongly engaged and connected with industry, last year the staff visited 96 companies getting to know the competences of the members, discussing their challenges, and engaging them in the 21 workshops and events organized in 2016. EPIC staff were invited to actively participate in 21 events and they attended 28 events. “I am proud to be part of such an active organization, that acts on behalf of all of us for the competitiveness of the photonics industry.” concludes Benno as newly appointed President of the association.
Since 1994 Benno Oderkerk is the co-founder and shareholder of Avantes, a spectroscopy company in the Netherlands with offices in the USA, China and the United Kingdom. Benno Oderkerk obtained his master’s degree in Electronic Engineering at the Twente Technical University in Enschede, the Netherlands in March 1988. He worked from April 1987 until December 1988 at the Technion Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel. Then he started in Munich, Germany at the University of the Bundeswehr in 1989 as a research associate. From autum1989 until 1994 he worked as a technical Director at STM Sensor Technology Munich, Germany.
Avantes is the world leader in the field of spectroscopy. They develop and manufacture spectrometers, light sources, software, fiber optic cables, and accessories. Avantes' products are highly customizable, adaptable to any specific application, and integrated into even the smallest housings. These products therefore find usage in many OEM applications and markets, as well as in the scientific and industrial world. With 20 years of experience, Avantes continues to produce innovative applications in diverse fields including chemical, solar energy, agriculture, gemology, (bio)medical, semiconductor, light measurement and food processing technology. www.avantes.com
2017 EPIC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- Benno Oderkerk, CEO, Avantes (The Netherlands)
- Bruno Mourey, CTO, CEA-Leti (France)
- Heinz Seyringer, Head of Research Collaborations, Zumtobel Lighting (Austria)
- Jan Meise, CEO, AMS Technologies (Germany)
- Kurt Weingarten, General Manager, Lumentum (Switzerland)
- Martin Schell, Director, Fraunhofer HHI (Germany)
- Petteri Uusimaa, President & CEO, Modulight (Finland)
About EPIC
EPIC is the industry association that promotes the sustainable development of organisations working in the field of photonics. We foster a vibrant photonics ecosystem by maintaining a strong network and acting as a catalyst and facilitator for technological and commercial advancement. EPIC publishes market and technology reports, organizes technical workshops and B2B roundtables, international delegations, engages in advocacy and lobbying, European funded projects, finance and investment, education and training activities, standards and roadmaps, pavilions at exhibitions. www.epic-assoc.com
