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Read about Case Studies from the Pandemic, What’s Coming in the Fall, Special Events, New Reports and Other Noteworthy News, Opinions & Opportunities
In this Issue:
As part of our ongoing commitment to OSA's global community, we have successfully launched all-virtual meetings and events during the course of the covid-19 pandemic. We have provided high-quality technical content to our members and customers worldwide in meetings that have attracted tens of thousands of attendees. The live and pre-recorded presentations are made available to registrants to accommodate different time zones and participants have engaged with speakers on unique networking platforms. Our We Are On initiative has offered virtual events on topics ranging from scientific research to professional development. We encourage you to join us in upcoming virtual meetings and events as we step up our efforts to be a resource to you. Learn more. Case Studies from the Pandemic The optics and photonics industry sells into hardware products, often large equipment. Such equipment sales are cyclic with business cycles, making component and system suppliers vulnerable in deep recessions. There are several ways that companies can help sustain their revenues through a recession, particularly by diversifying revenues across many customers and markets. Another is to sell consumables and services that continue even when equipment sales slow down. A couple examples from the current pandemic demonstrate this well.
ASML is a company that knows boom and bust business cycles well, and prepares for them. Some of its equipment sells for more than €100 million apiece, making the company very sensitive to slowdowns in installations of new semiconductor fabrication equipment. Once again, however, the service revenues scale with the installed base of equipment, can continue as long as the equipment is in use, and bring a high profit margin. (This category includes maintenance and relocation services, and installation of new application software). The company must prepare for the cycles in other ways, but the ongoing service revenue helps smooth out the cycles.
Boeing is an example of another kind of income diversification. It sells aircraft for both the commercial and military markets, and a range of services. Boeing already lost substantial revenue when its 737 Max aircraft was grounded in March 2019, and customers delayed or cancelled delivery for the model. Then one year later, the pandemic spread and airlines cut orders for all models of aircraft, eliminating even more revenue for Boeing. In Q2 2020, Boeing’s commercial aircraft income dropped 90% from the recent peak in Q4 2018.
While no company or sector is untouched by the pandemic, most optics and photonics companies are diversified across at least a few other sources of revenue, helping to steady the company through this crisis. Since the pandemic hit, members have been asking how they can make the connections they usually make at our industry exhibitions. With in-person events cancelled through 2020, OIDA has found strong interest in our sponsored webinars and also the recent OIDA Technology Showcase. The showcase featured a networking session, where attendees could meet virtually with online exhibitors. Based on the positive response, we are looking for more opportunities to match customers and suppliers in this way.
Now that the initial shock of the pandemic has given way to a kind of siege, OIDA is moving its focus to ways to engage the community, such as the Technology Showcase. Look for upcoming roundtable discussions on the OIDA Quantum Photonics Roadmap, on 15 and 16 September at OSA’s Frontiers in Optics Conference (here) and on 7 October at Photonics Days Berlin Brandenburg 2020 (here). And on 12 November, OIDA will host once again its speed meetings for SBIR/STTR funding from U.S. agencies.
Finally, is the scene viewable in your Zoom calls clean and organized, while the rest of your home or office is in disarray? Has your dress code slipped since the pandemic started? You’re not alone! We hope that you and your families and friends are healthy and doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances, and that we can all see each other in person soon enough.
Top Luminate Finals 2020 Event to be Held at FiO
FiO will host the Luminate Finals 2020, in which ten startup companies compete for up to US$ 2 million in funding support. Hear pitches from each of the finalists and be there when the winner is announced! Attend Two Virtual OIDA Quantum Roadmap Roundtables at FiO You are invited to attend two online quantum discussions at the OSA Frontiers in Optics Conference. These two OIDA roundtables will review the requirements for optical components for applications of quantum technology.
Registration includes a week's worth of FiO programming and the OSA Quantum 2.0 Conference, which will also take place at FiO. New! OIDA Virtual Networking & Volunteer Engagement Event at FiO Join with other FiO attendees for this informal networking discussion about engagement opportunities within OIDA. Learn more about the governing structure and additional volunteer opportunities with OIDA. Simin Cai, OIDA Council Chair and President & CEO of Go!Foton, Amy Eskilson, President & CEO of Inrad Optics as well as OIDA staff, will be on hand to answer your questions. The session will include a brief overview and time for Q&A so come with your questions. You will be able to turn your camera and mic on or off to participate as you choose.
Learn more. Registration is open to all FiO registrants. Register today. RSVP for Virtual OIDA Member Benefit Orientation RSVP for OIDA's member benefit overview orientation. This is an opportunity to learn more about key membership benefits you and your company should be taking advantage of and explore how to maximize performance and grow your business. Access the Latest Laser Applications Information, Connect and Discover New Technologies at the FREE Virtual OSA Laser Applications Conference at the OSA Laser Congress
Join us for the Laser Applications Conference—live and on-demand! The OSA Laser Congress has transitioned to a dynamic new virtual event format—and best of all it's free. Enjoy full access to the Laser Applications Conference PLUS the Advanced Solid State Lasers Conference. Select what you're most interested in, then watch, read, interact and discover at your own pace.
PLUS Recognize Your Colleague's Contributions
OSA's awards program recognizes a wide range of contributions, below are prizes/awards that specifically celebrate the achievements of engineers, business leaders, inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs. View a full list of OSA awards. Nominations for 2021 are due 1 October 2020.
Invitation to Join the OIDA Optics and Photonics Industry LinkedIn Group Join 3,500+ of your colleagues in our OIDA Optics & Photonics Industry Network LinkedIn Group. This one-of-a-kind Forum for Industry lets you participate in discussions about cutting-edge issues. Extend your professional network. Exchange information about problems, ideas and solutions. Collaborate with experts in your field. Now is the perfect time to build a relationship with fellow optics and photonics professionals!
Questions or Suggestions about OIDA Member Benefits? We are committed to ensuring the value of your OSA Industry Development Associates Membership, so please email OIDA if you have any suggestions for new programs or comments on your membership.
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Source: OIDA, from company statements.
Source: OIDA, from company statements. *Values for 2020 are projected through Q3.
Source: OIDA, from company statements.
Source: Gahan Wilson at Cartoon Collections.
Source: Shannon Wheeler at Cartoon Collections.
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