In 2026, OPTEC INDUSTRIES strengthens its commitment within the Club Laser et Procédés (CLP), a leading network dedicated to the development and promotion of laser technologies and processes. As part of the Investronic Group, OPTEC INDUSTRIES has established itself as a key player in special-purpose machinery and high-precision assembly lines, serving demanding industrial sectors.
On this occasion, we met with Laurent Menuat, Strategic Operations Manager of the Investronic Group. He looks back on his career, the expertise of the Group and OPTEC INDUSTRIES, as well as the motivations that led the company to become actively and sustainably involved in the CLP.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
“I started my career 32 years ago as a maintenance technician at ROFIN SINAR. I worked my way up through all the levels within the group, eventually becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2012. After the acquisition by the American group Coherent and several years spent within this global organization, I felt the need to return to what truly matters: proximity, people, and human values. I therefore joined Christophe Dufresne on October 1st, 2025, as Strategic Operations Manager for the Investronic Group (which includes OPTEC INDUSTRIES). My driving force is special-purpose machinery. As I often say: ‘Special-purpose machinery is life.’”
Can you present your company and its area of expertise?
“We are a group (AUREA, XENIA, AMIDEC, SANDMANN, CEVILOG, AM AUTOMATION, VOH, and OPTEC INDUSTRIES) specializing in special-purpose machinery and high-precision assembly lines. Our strong presence in the Grand Est region of France, combined with our two major sites in Switzerland, positions us as a key player in highly demanding sectors: automotive, medical, pharmaceutical, and, of course, watchmaking. We are recognized for our ability to deliver complex projects. My arrival also reflects the Group’s ambition to go even further in the integration of laser technologies, particularly for micro-machining.”
How did you get to know the CLP, and why did you choose to join?
“I have been involved almost since the very beginning. I was introduced to it by my predecessors who, as early as the 1990s, wanted to promote laser technology in industry. The objective has always been the same: to showcase this technology by bringing together both large international groups and French SMEs that need greater visibility. The CLP has been able to evolve thanks to the commitment of those who bring it to life. In this regard, I would like to tip my hat to John Lopez, who has been doing an outstanding job for many years in driving change and progress.”
What do you expect from this collaboration with the CLP?
“Genuine exchange and hands-on networking. I expect this relationship to provide us with high-level technical intelligence, for both myself and my teams, so that we can stay at the forefront of technological developments. It is also an opportunity to be part of a strong network that truly showcases the expertise of our companies. I am not here to play a symbolic role, but to ensure that our know-how is recognized and shared within a community that understands our challenges.”
What are the latest innovations your company is most proud of?
“It is difficult to highlight one project over another, because for us, every new challenge leads to innovation. However, if there is one area where we are probably among the best, it is industrial vision systems — this is the core of our expertise. Beyond technology, my greatest pride lies in the flexibility of our teams and their ability to constantly adapt. My role is to do everything possible to ensure that we continue to invest in new skills. It is this collective agility, and this strong focus on people, that allows us to remain a benchmark in special-purpose machinery.”
OPTEC INDUSTRIES’ membership in the CLP in 2026 highlights the attractiveness of a network that has been bringing together key players in the laser and photonics sector for over 40 years. Through its missions of networking, technology monitoring, and the promotion of expertise, the CLP represents a strategic lever to support its members in the development of their industrial and technological projects.
The CLP is delighted to welcome OPTEC INDUSTRIES to the association and to rely on its recognized expertise in special-purpose machinery, high-precision assembly lines, and the integration of laser technologies—particularly for micro-machining—for the benefit of the entire network.
>> To learn more about OPTEC INDUSTRIES, visit its member profile on our website.
