EMVA sets independent path for machine vision in Europe

Lisbon, Portugal--During its 10th annual meeting held April 19-21, the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) endorsed a change that makes it an independent entity, no long part of the German Engineering Federation or VDMA (Frankfurt, Germany). The EMVA Executive Committee noted that the new structure will allow the association to improve its visibility as a true European entity. It will also make the organization more functional because it will enable EMVA to deepen its existing activities and to offer a much broader portfolio of services to its 125+ members.

Toni Ventura-Traveset, member of the EMVA board, said, “Machine vision companies in Europe need a strong European association. All projects addressed by the EMVA so far were important for the industry. However, the EMVA resources have not been adequate for all tasks relevant to the machine vision industry."

He added that the new structure will focus more resources on international machine vision standards and on obtaining market data about the industry. In addition, there will be more activities in funding and innovation through a stronger presence with the European Commission in Brussels, as well as intensified marketing of the machine vision industry and the association.

Until a new general secretary is hired, former member of the Executive Committee, Cor Maas has volunteered to serve as interim general manager starting July 1. Together with Toni Ventura-Traveset (Datapixel, Spain), four other members were elected into the new Executive Committee: Pierre-Alain Champert (Coherent, France), Gabriele Jansen (Vision Ventures, Germany), Dirk Käseberg (Mettler-Toledo Garvens, Germany), and Ignazio Piacentini (Imaging Lab, Italy).