With the 42-year-old Berger joining the IDS management team, the generational change at the Obersulm-based image processing specialist has been successfully completed. In future, Berger will be responsible for the Sales, Marketing, Product Management and System Consulting divisions. Jan Hartmann is now in charge of Finance, HR, IT and Business Innovation & Ecosystem; Alexander Lewinsky will take over Development in addition to his previous responsibilities in Operations.

Jürgen Hartmann is handing over the management of the operational business and will be advising the family business in the areas of technology and innovation as Chief Innovation Manager. He will remain managing partner of Hartmann Holding GmbH. Dr. Michael Berger studied business administration at the University of Bayreuth, obtained a doctorate in sales and market management at the University of Constance and most recently worked for Varta as General Manager Li-Ion Cells. His actions are always characterized by a clear market orientation. "The IDS product portfolio has great market potential that needs to be further exploited," says Michael Berger, looking forward to his new role.

The careful preparation of the handover of his management responsibility in his own company was a matter close to Jürgen Hartmann's heart from an early stage. He initiated this step four years ago with the promotion of his son Jan to the management board and the appointment of Alexander Lewinsky in 2021. "Continuity and reliability are particularly important to us in relation to our partners and customers. Everything has its time, and after more than 40 years of working life, it's time for me to take another step back," says Jürgen Hartmann, explaining his decision.

The 61-year-old industry pioneer, who is regarded as the father of the USB interface for industrial cameras, will continue to "support where desired and help where necessary" in his own company, as he says. His main focus will continue to be on the development area. "I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Michael Berger as Managing Director. With his CV, he brings the knowledge and vision that are crucial for further scaling and the next innovative steps at IDS."

Since its foundation in 1997 as a two-man company, IDS has developed into an independent, ISO and environmentally certified family business with around 350 employees. The headquarters in Obersulm, Baden-Württemberg, is both a development and production site. With subsidiaries and representative offices in the USA, Japan, South Korea, the UK, France and the Netherlands, the technology company also has a global presence.