“Trust needs time…”: The Berlin-Brandenburg Optical Network has turned ten

Ten years ago, the society OpTec Berlin-Brandenburg (OpTecBB) was set up. Since then it has acquired a reputation as a network for companies and research institutes far beyond the borders of both States.

“Trust needs time to grow,” concluded OptecBB Managing Director Bernd Weidner. In other words, time that entrepreneurs and scientists from optical technologies need before they can approach each other without reserve, communicate their needs and demonstrate their skills. But now, Weidner is convinced, this exchange is working. At the last two day workshop hosted by OptecBB in November 2010 there were seventy representatives from the sector – and they exchanged their ideas and experience not only during the official workshop hours, but also in the evening’s informal discussion groups.

Networking is the central objective of the society with its 98 members. As they see it, networking means on the one hand the cooperation of companies, associations and research institutes in the fields of optics/ photonics. “We intend to create a platform where business and science can meet,” explained Weidner. In his view, OptecBB has been successful particularly in the fields of UV, X-ray and optical communications technologies. On the other hand, networking includes communicating contacts between players operating on the sector, but in different places. The optical industries are represented not only in the largest cluster in Adlershof, but also in the Berlin districts of Wedding and Charlottenburg and in the Brandenburg cities of Rathenow (one of the cradles of German spectacles making), Stahnsdorf/Teltow and Frankfurt (Oder). A tightly networked sector has better chances of convincing the public in Berlin and Brandenburg of the great benefits that optical technologies provide in the form of 13,000 jobs. “Politics,” criticised Weidner, “has failed to acknowledge for a long time the power and tradition of the region. Just a few examples are AEG, Osram and the Physikalisch- Technische Reichsanstalt.”

That the society plays a key role in unlocking this potential is confirmed by external observers. “OptecBB,” concluded the Institute for Management of the Free University of Berlin in a study it published in 2007, “has evolved over the past years into a competent umbrella network that the industry, science and politics must (continue to) support.” Over the long term, according to these experts, “self supporting network structures” will have to “become established”.

In future, the networker Weidner sees great potential for development particularly in light technologies. “Here Berlin could continue its old traditions.” In addition, the society intends to intensify its promotion of disincorporations, in the hope “that we’ll have even more optical industry in ten years.”

by Christian Hunziker

Link: www.optecbb.de