Dear Reader,

A global pandemic, supply chain problems, record inflation, war, energy shortages, climate change...it is just one crisis after another. And yet, we at Laser Components are not concerned because there is still no indication of a substantial decline in business. Nevertheless, we have also significantly intensified our risk management. In the meantime, we have been evaluating and dealing with scenarios again that until recently were considered too improbable.

Following last year’s record growth, we are once again heading toward a growth in sales of more than 20% across the board for all business units and markets equally; we can therefore continue to invest ambitiously in the future. Nevertheless, we have also identified a medium-term risk that we need to address proactively: the shortage of skilled workers.

In 2022, we welcomed 19 new colleagues in Germany alone. We now have a total of 270 employees worldwide – around 160 of them in Germany, some of whom have been loyal to the company for over 30 years. Overall, the fluctuation rate has been well below 5% for years. These figures allow us to look ahead with confidence. Even though we have always been able to fill important key positions after a short search, vacancies are on the horizon in the coming years that will also present us with major challenges. Around 20 colleagues will reach retirement age in the next five years. Other positions will have to be created anew. In both cases, we are already looking for internal and external solutions.

PATRICK PAUL
General Manager of LASER COMPONENTS