Dr. Olaf Munkelt elected chairman of VDMA Robotics + Automation
Dr. Olaf Munkelt, co-founder and managing director of MVTec Software has been elected as the chairman of the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association. He succeeds Dr. Dietmar Ley, former CEO of Basler, who stepped down from the board for statutory reasons and was honored for his extensive commitment to the industry.
“Our industry is facing profound structural challenges that we will only overcome through clear prioritization,” Munkelt said on his inauguration. “What matters now is to work decisively on our competitiveness, strengthen our dialogue with policymakers at the national and European levels and take a leading position in artificial intelligence and its industrial applications. This is exactly what we are focusing on within the association.”
At the same time, two new members were appointed to the board of VDMA Robotics + Automation to fill existing vacancies. Hardy Mehl, CEO of Basler, succeeds Dr. Dietmar Ley. Jürgen Noailles, CEO of IEF Werner and member of the board of VDMA Automated Solutions, succeeds Jörg Kipper (Festo), who retired at the end of 2025.
The new board of VDMA Robotics + Automation comprises the following members:
- Dr. Lars Friedrich, President & CEO Division Application Technology Dürr Systems
- Dr. Horst Heinol-Heikkinen, Founder and Managing Director Asentics
- Dr. Michael Jürgens, CEO KUKA Systems
- Frank Konrad (Deputy Chairman), CEO HAHN Automation Group
- Martin Kullmann, Head of Customer Service ABB Robotics
- Ralph Lehleuter, Managing Partner MAFU Automation
- Markus Maurer, Head of Business Unit Automation VITRONIC Machine Vision
- Hardy Mehl, CEO Basler
- Dr. Olaf Munkelt (Chairman), Founder and Managing Director MVTec Software
- Jürgen Noailles, CEO IEF-Werner
- Cornelia Püschel, Managing Partner PÜSCHEL Automation
- David Reger, CEO Neura Robotics
- Volker Spanier, Head of Manufacturing Solutions Europe EPSON Deutschland
- Ralf Winkelmann, CEO FANUC Deutschland
