Harald Scherleitner, Global Director Sales & Marketing at Fronius Business Unit Perfect Welding, was voted in as Vice President by members of the European Welding Association (EWA) at the end of October. His appointment that runs to 2022 will see Scherleitner take a key role in shaping the umbrella organisation for the European welding technology industry.
“The EWA has a significant role in advancing welding technology in Europe as well as globally, and I am delighted that I will now be able to play my part in this important work as Vice President,” recounts Scherleitner. Sustainability is one area of concern that lies particularly close to his heart: “Energy-saving, durable, repairable and adaptable welding systems and equipment that effectively protect not only the environment but also the health of welders – these are all part of the welding technology of the future. Digitisation is continually opening up new potential to enable more sustainable working practices. It is up to us to identify this potential and ensure it can find its way to the factory floor and other welding environments.”
Scherleitner began his career at Fronius in 1994, initially acting as an area sales manager for welding technology before taking charge of the Business Unit Perfect Charging. Finally, in 2016, Scherleitner returned to Fronius Perfect Welding – as Head of the Business Unit for Sales & Marketing.
Trade association for the furtherance of European welding technology
The European Welding Association was founded in 1987 and has its headquarters in Paris. The trade association brings together manufacturers of welding equipment and welding consumables from across Europe and associations from the welding industry. The technical committees of the EWA are involved in the development of relevant standards and European Directives.
Subsequent to the General Meeting in October, the EWA Management Team for the 2020/2021 financial year has been confirmed: Robert Stöckl (EWM, Germany) will take over as President, followed by Vice Presidents Harald Scherleitner (Fronius, Austria), Deger Elove (MAGMA, Turkey) and Luca Manzini (ANASTA, Italy), and General Manager Guy Missiaen (France). EWA 2020 also instituted a new group of European manufacturers that will focus on protecting health and safety for welders. At the same time, a number of new members joined the association: Kemper, Nederman and Optrel.
Photo: Harald Scherleitner, Global Director Business Unit Perfect Welding at Fronius International and new Vice President of the European Welding Association.