Even before the official VOA members' meeting on June 13, the program started with a meeting of the Technical Committee at Chemische Werke Kluthe GmbH and the official evening event, which was attended by numerous international guests. During the actual general meeting, various speakers addressed the relevant topics of the industry.
VOA Chairman shows optimism
Wars, inflation and climate change are factors that influence the German economy and therefore the surface finishing industry. Friedhelm U. Scholten, Chairman of the VOA Board of Directors, was nevertheless optimistic in his welcoming speech at the 60th General Assembly: "We are open to change in these difficult times and resilient to influences that are beyond our control." He recommended that member companies focus on well-functioning teams and take all employees with them into the future: both specialists from different countries and employees in different phases of life, from trainees to retirees who want to continue working.
Multiples and an unmanageable environment
The digital transformation is of particular concern to VOA member companies. Arnaud Kropp, Head of Marketing & Sales at Softec AG, was the first speaker to address the topic of the future. "Transformation, Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence - a classification for the digitalization of the industry" was the title of his presentation. He was followed by Dr. Christof Langer, Head of the Light Metal Surface Technology Department at the fem Research Institute, with the topic "Shaping the future digitally with artificial intelligence -- multi-professional, cross-generational, intercultural". The event concluded with Torsten Seeberg from the Baden-Württemberg State Office of Criminal Investigation, Department 5 - Cybercrime/Digital Traces. He vividly demonstrated why and how "commercial enterprises are the focus of cyber criminals".
Professionally positioned association
Scholten thanked his colleagues on the Board of Directors and all members who are involved in the Technical Commission, the Technical Circle, the various project groups on forward-looking topics and the audit committees. The association has gained international recognition in recent years. This was demonstrated by the presence of Metin Yilmaz, Vice-President of the European Association for Surface Treatment on Aluminum (ESTAL), by Bernard Gilmont, ESTAL Secretary General, and many other ESTAL members. The association also welcomed Peter Watts and Ernst Weigl, President and Vice-President of the international quality association QUALANOD for anodized aluminium.