The CEO of Isra Vision, Enis Ersü, has announced his retirement after 36 years working in the vision industry.
Ersü founded Isra Vision as a spin-off from the Technical University of Darmstadt while working as a research associate.
The company was sold in February 2020 to Atlas Copco for €1.094bn.
Isra – standing for intelligent systems, robots and automation – was one of the first German start-ups with a strategic business case on combining machine vision, robotics and automation technology. The company focused exclusively on vision 10 years after its founding.
The firm has more than 850 employees at 25 sites in 15 countries, and reported revenue of €150m prior to the pandemic.
Ersü has led Isra Vision with a strategy based on customer-oriented innovation, while also fostering organic and external growth. The firm acquired 11 companies, with some of these focusing on different target industries, such as Vision Experts, which it bought in 2015 to expand its print inspection offerings. Most recently it gained American firm Perceptron for its 3D vision technology.
Ersü said: 'For over 36 years, I have enjoyed the privilege of working with an outstanding team. I am very grateful to all of my employees, colleagues, customers, and partners who accompanied me on this exciting journey and who put their weight behind strategic measures and bold decisions.'
Ersü served on the VDMA's executive board and co-founded the European Machine Vision Association. He now plans to support young technology companies as a consultant.
At the Darmstadt site, Isra Vision will enter its next phase headed by a team of three executives: the new board member from Sweden, Tomas Lundin, and the current Isra board members Hans Jürgen Christ and Dr Johannes Giet.
