SIGMUND RUFF
COMPLAST PANAGEY
FOUNDER OF LPS-LASERSYSTEME
our modern technologies and innovations. electronic components remain undamaged
And we combine good ideas from our in the cold weather, we had to prepare the
customers with our extensive knowledge container in a specifically, in a way which
to find a perfect solution for any challenge. was totally new to us. Within eight weeks
we completed it, and to this day the laser
You’re based in Germany, is this the show is still in use.
country which generates the major-
ity of your sales? What is on the horizon for 2010?
Our sales in Germany are constantly grow- There are some big projects coming up in
ing, but we are a global thinking company, 2010. I cannot disclose any details at the
so we don’t rely on the German market moment, but I do hope that 2010 will be
alone. There is a demand for show laser as successful as the previous years. 2008
systems all over the world and there is no was the best year since LPS-Lasersysteme
reason why LPS cannot cater for any of was founded, and it is forecast that 2009 is
those customers. I do think selling products even better, despite the global crisis.
Tell us a little bit about your history across the world is made easier by the
and how you first became involved ‘Made in Germany’ stamp, which for me, What’s new in the laser world?
in the laser industry? symbolises good quality. Air-cooled lasers are constantly introduc-
A friend and I founded a company in 1990, ing new and improved technologies to
which sold many different items, but mainly You have a worldwide presence, the market. This heightens the demand
electronic items, and lasers were just a but is there a particular country in for faster scanning systems to present
by-product. After a short time, we realised which you would like to be more animations with total output becoming
the most successful part of the business successful? constantly larger. And there are also new
involved laser components. So we decided I’d have to say the USA. It is a huge market, wavelengths which can generate an incom-
to focus on developing and manufactur- however, due to the strict law on use of prehensible white light, which could never
ing laser systems, as well as selling laser show laser systems, it is quite a challenge be produced with gas lasers.
components. Three years later I left this to gain ground there. South America is
company, and in March 1993 I started my another fairly virgin market for us, although Can you make any predictions for
own company, LPS-Lasersysteme. we have sold lasers in Colombia and the future of the laser market?
Bolivia. I would say that lasers are currently a
Describe a typical day for Sigmund standard for events, just like audio and
Ruff at LPS-Lasersysteme? LPS-Lasersysteme has been around lighting equipment. So if all manufactur-
When I arrive at the office the first thing I for almost 17 years now, what to ers continue to deliver the best quality
do is check my emails. After that I talk to you think are the key elements for lasers to the end users, who then produce
my team to find out what’s on the agenda. running a successful business in the fantastic laser shows, with the necessary
If I have an appointment then my time will laser industry? care regarding safety standards, then laser
be spent advising customers on which laser I think the most important thing is com- shows will, and can remain an enjoyable
system best suits their needs. I can do this pany growth and adaptability for new tech- event in the future.
by presenting our extensive product range nologies. Fidelity, fairness and, of course, a
in our 250 square metre showroom. reliable team who support these ideologies What’s the most valuable lesson
My main objective is to prepare unbeat- are similarly determining factors behinds you’ve ever learnt?
able offers and to keep contact with our our successful business. Payment in advance. I’ve lost so much
distributors and customers all around the money in the past because clients didn’t
world, in order to maintain good business Over the years you’ve been involved pay their bill and didn’t return the show
relationships. It is really a very interesting with some amazing laser shows and laser systems. So not only did I lose money,
job. productions, is there one which but also my products as well.
stands out as your favourite?
What makes LPS stand out from There have been so many impressive Describe the best day of your life?
any other laser manufacturer? shows. It is difficult to choose just one as a There are so many ‘best days of my life’,
We maintain very good relations with our favourite. One of the most challenging in- for both business and personal reasons.
customers, not only as business partners, stallations was in 2003, in the skiing area of The day my wife Martina came to work for
but also as good friends. Our customers Serfaus, Austria. The installation needed to LPS in November 1995 is definitely one of
can actually contact us outside office hours be completed 2,000 metres above ground. them. But the most important days in my
if they need to. For us, it is very important For this project we created a special life are, of course, when I married Martina,
that our customers know, we will always laser container, in which the LPS-BigRock and the birth of our son Dennis. And I
do what we can to make them completely System and a sound system have had to be know there will be many more to come in
satisfied with our performance and prod- integrated. LPS-BigRock is a water-cooled the future; ‘best days of my life’, not babies!
ucts. system with approximately 18W white
We consider social aspects equally as im- lights for the main system and approxi-
portant to our effort to achieve a balance mately 10W argons for the satellites.
between economic and ecological success. To make sure the water was not going
Our clients profit from our experiences, to be frozen at any time and that all the
114 January / February 2010
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