Arc welding and cutting equipment and consumables supplier Lincoln Electric Holdings has established a “strategic partnership” with a developer of fiber lasers and amplifiers, to “explore global opportunities” in laser welding and cutting. The agreement is not a joint venture, but will involve a working relationship between Lincoln and IPG Photonics Corp. to develop applications for high-power laser welding and cutting, and Lincoln will list IPG Photonics as a “strategic supplier vendor” as a way to improve its supply chain and technology development relationships in that process area.

"This strategic partnership brings together the world's strongest welding company and the world's leader in laser technology to provide innovative, integrated laser welding solutions to the marketplace,” stated Lincoln Electric chairman and CEO John M. Stropki. “It also affirms our companies' strong commitment to bring maximum value to customers worldwide.”

Stropki listed construction, automotive, energy and general fabrication as target markets for the partners.

IPG Photonics pioneered the development and commercialization of optical fiber-based lasers for materials processing, telecommunications and medical applications. Fiber lasers reportedly offer advantages in performance, reliability, usability and cost-effectiveness compared with conventional lasers.

The agreement calls for Lincoln and IPG to establish ways to provide more turnkey hybrid fiber laser-MIG welding solutions to industrial customers, worldwide. It also anticipates cooperative sales programs, application development, and marketing efforts.

As examples of these joint efforts, Lincoln listed collaborating and strategizing for new business opportunities, sharing technology developments, and improving business processes. Their advantages will come from faster commercialization, system integration and entry into new markets and applications. And, according to the Stropki, customers will benefit from “best-in-class” laser and hybrid laser welding packages that will increase productivity and quality, and reduce costs.

“Our companies have enjoyed an excellent working relationship over the past several years,” stated IPG chairman and CEO Dr. Valentin P. Gapontsev. “Strategic partnering is an effective vehicle to grow market presence, accelerate opportunity creation, and strengthen our competitive position.

“This agreement reinforces our valued relationship with Lincoln Electric, provides a unique forum for persistent engagement at the executive levels of both companies, and ultimately ensures our mutual customer base can enjoy the depth and advantages of the high-performance enabling technologies each company offers,” Gapontsev concluded.