ANDRÉ KÖHLER
COMPLAST PANAGEY
OSRAM’S PRODUCT MANAGER FOR ENTERTAINMENT LIGHTING
projection in 1954 and won the Oscar for You were involved in this year’s Bei-
the continuous improvement of this lamp jing Olympics; can you describe the
in 1983; The HMI® Metal Halide Lamps experience of being involved in such
with excellent colour rendering and day- a major international project?
light for the Film shooting came out in 1968 At the opening ceremony, in front of
and won the Oscar 15 years later as well as 80,000 spectators in the futuristic National
the EMMY award in 2007; The HTI® Short Stadium, a near record-breaking array of
Arc Metal Halide Lamps, introduced in products from our display optic divi-
1978, with improved brilliance and efficacy sion were on show. No less than 11,000
established our excellent reputation in Osram lighting products were used in the
effect lighting, and has been extended with computer controlled spotlights and our
the SharXS® HTI® Concept the modular SharXS HTI 1200W did a great job. We
double-ended lamp platform in 2003 and were very proud to be chosen for such a
again in 2007 with the Lok-it Lamp System. unique event.
How did you first become involved
with Osram? Is there one specific product which Osram is one of the largest lighting
The first contact and experience I had was sums up the essence of Osram? manufacturers in the world, how do
as a student when I did some work at Os- I would say that there are two which you keep ahead of the game?
ram’s Speciality Lighting division in Berlin. I particularly stand out. The SharXS HTI I am quite convinced that Osram is well
was immediately fascinated by the technol- 1200W/D7/60 for effect lighting is an out- prepared for the challenges which lie ahead
ogy behind making light and the variety of standing example for our technical know- because we have an excellent team, the
special lamps Osram produced for show, how in the discharge lamp technology. right products, system solutions and an
event, TV and cinema lighting. Secondly, the OSTAR® LED represents a organizational structure which guarantees
new level of technology within Osram, it is a flexible and fast reaction for the changing
Tell us a little bit about your new based on revolutionary thin-film technol- market demands.
role and what it entails? ogy from Osram and it is up to 30 times
I took over the job as a Product Manager more energy-efficient than an ordinary What can we expect from Osram as
for Entertainment Lighting this year from light bulb and will last for a very long time. we head into 2009?
Martin Mahn who has done the role proud New system solutions with LED, discharge
over the past ten years. I am involved in You’ve recently released a range of and halogen lamps, which go beyond the
every link of the chain when it comes to lighting products that are energy ef- capabilities of normal single component
producing a new product from the original ficient; do you feel the environmen- products. We will also be introducing Intel-
idea to the serial production through to tally friendly approach is important ligent systems, in which the light source
the delivery stage. I have to push every for the ever expanding lighting is only one part, making life a lot simpler
person involved in the process to ensure market? for our customers. You will see our new
the new product fulfils the markets needs. This approach is indeed important for products being introduced at many of the
It is a tough job because you’re the one every player in the industry. Osram is trade shows next year.
who is responsible for everything, espe- contributing with energy-saving products
cially if something goes wrong! – they account for 60% of our total sales What do you predict for the future
and we want to increase this to more than of the lighting industry?
What is your background before 80% over the next ten years. On aver- I think LED systems will certainly a major
you joined Osram? Have you always age, more than 90% of the environmental role and I expect to see a real marriage
been interested in lighting? relevance of our products relates to their between automated lighting and digital
I have been a fanatical film fan and a keen usage. This is more than in many other in- projection.
photographer since my childhood and so dustries. As a company we obviously have
have always been interested in the effects to set an example in terms of our produc- What is your favourite holiday des-
resulting from different light sources. My tion processes, logistics and recycling. tination?
first job after school was working as an As- As I travel abroad so much with work
sistant Director at a German TV Station. Your headquarters are in Germany I actually quite enjoy being in my home
After that I set up an Institute for Market but this is not where you generate country and visiting new places there. My
Research. I then officially entered the light- most of your sales, which is the most favourite holiday destination is the Alps.
ing industry nine years ago. influential/important country?
Similar to many other companies our big- Where do you see yourself in ten
Osram celebrated its 100th birthday gest market is China. They have an enor- years time?
a couple of years ago, what have mous market for lighting products in many Smoking a cigar on the terrace of my new
been the significant milestones areas and so there is a lot of potential for house in the Alps with a nice panoramic
along the way? business to keep on growing. Recently view of the mountains and spending qual-
After many successful years in the lighting within the entertainment industry, where ity time with my family. But this is just a
industry, Osram has achieved a number lighting solutions of the highest quality are dream!
of milestones. To sum up those within the required, we have provided lamps for new
entertainment industry: Osram made the cinemas, shows and big events. Do you have a philosophy for life?
first Xenon lamp XBO for the Cinema Don’t worry, be happy!
130 January / February 2009
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