Dr. Arnold Mayer is president and founder of Optech Consulting, a consultancy specializing in the laser and photonics industry. The company provides consulting for industry, investment bodies, and government. It publishes periodic reports on the industrial laser market and organizes the International Laser Marketplace symposium. Prior to founding Optech Consulting in 1992 Dr. Mayer held positions in business development, industrial R&D, and management consulting. He received his degree in physics from the University of Stuttgart, and his PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, also in Stuttgart.