23.07.2026
Management
Stephan Egerland will take over as president of the International Institute of Welding (IIW) for the upcoming three-year term. The election took place during the IIW’s annual assembly, which was held in Salzburg this year, reinforcing Austria’s status as a center of welding expertise. Egerland is one of Fronius' experts who are playing a key role in shaping the welding industry with their expertise.
For years, Fronius has played a key role in innovations and developments in the welding industry. The latest highlight is the appointment of Stephan Egerland as President of the International Institute of Welding (IIW). About 20 years ago Egerland joined the Commission XII (Arc Welding Processes and Production Systems), later holding positions such as Sub-Chairman, Chairman of the Technical Management Board (TMB), member of the Board of Directors, and Treasurer, until he was elected President Elect. During this year’s Annual Assembly, which took place in Salzburg, he was officially appointed President of the global umbrella organisation for all national welding member organisations. “This election is a great honour for me, one that comes with responsibility, but one that I intend to accept with great joy. During my term, I would like to enhance the value of IIW membership and work together to overcome geopolitical dissonances,” says Stephan Egerland, offering insights into the priorities of his presidency. The IIW is an association of experts, researchers, scientists and specialists who have been working together with great dedication for over 75 years as part of a global network to advance welding and joining technology.
Fronius' experts in IIW committees
As an international player in welding technology innovation, Fronius has consistently set standards for quality, efficiency and sustainability. Drawing on this expertise, Fronius actively contributes to the IIW through technical collaboration. Harald Langeder, Wolfgang Kruglhuber and Herbert Staufer serve on various committees and, with their expertise, play a major role in shaping the welding industry. Their knowledge enables the organization to set international standards for training, research, certifications and safety-related applications. International collaboration promotes the optimal use of existing knowledge and innovation in the field of joining technology. “We have been actively contributing our know-how for many years. This commitment allows us to help shape technological developments at an early stage,” emphasizes Peter Fronius, Head of System Solutions at Fronius International and a member of the Local Organisation Committee (LOC) for this year’s IIW conference. “This combined expertise in research, development, and production contributes significantly to Fronius’ position in the industry and strengthens Austria’s role in the international market.”
IIW visits Salzburg
From July 12 to 17, 2026, Salzburg, Austria, took the spotlight in the international welding industry. Here is where the IIW hosted its annual conference, the most important event in the welding industry. Fronius presented itself as a technology partner, offering direct insights into its work. About 100 interested visitors took the opportunity to tour the nearby Fronius facilities in Upper Austria and get a behind-the-scenes look at research, development and production.
During the conference, Harald Langeder, CTO of Fronius International, spoke about the origins, evolution and potential future of what is arguably Fronius’ best-known technology: Cold Metal Transfer (CMT). Hardly any other arc welding technology has changed the world of welding as profoundly as CMT. Born out of a commitment to meet a customer’s requirements, the technology has been continuously refined through dedicated development. Today, thousands of welding applications worldwide are made possible only through CMT. At the same time, the further development of CMT is opening up new possibilities that were once believed to be beyond the limits of physics. “Our goal remains to continue making the seemingly impossible possible and to simplify complex challenges,” says Harald Langeder. “This spirit of innovation has taken CMT – and thus Fronius – from the filament of a light bulb all the way to space.”
(Fronius International GmbH)
Schlagworte
AutomationCMTIIWInternational Institute of WeldingJoiningNetwortPhotovoltaicPresidencyPresidentPVResearchSolarWelding
