SLCR Lasertechnik and Laserax Join Forces for the Global Market

Langerwehe (Germany) / Québec (Canada), September 8, 2026 — A new transatlantic alliance: Canadian laser specialist Laserax and German company SLCR Lasertechnik have formed a strategic partnership. As part of the deal, Laserax is acquiring a majority stake in SLCR and thus assuming leadership of the new partnership. Both companies will remain independent, and SLCR will continue to be led by founder and CEO Olav G. Schulz, now supported by the second managing director, Steffen Neuhaus.

The two companies complement each other very well: Laserax's extensive range of semi-standardized laser systems meets SLCR's deep process expertise and engineering capability for the most demanding applications.

Product Families Meet Advanced Engineering

The two companies focus on two different approaches to machine building that complement each other perfectly. Laserax builds turnkey machines within proven product families that can be quickly integrated into production lines, allow for adaptations where needed, and operate reliably in large volumes. SLCR's portfolio targets applications where no standard solution exists – with SLCR engineering tailored solutions for each customer’s needs. For these systems, SLCR coordinates the optics, mechanics, electrical systems, and software from the very beginning. One company scales up production; the other pushes the engineering. This is precisely the logic behind the partnership: Going forward, customers will receive both from a single source: the fast, proven standard solution where it fits, and the advanced, purpose-built system where a task demands it.

Strong European Base with a Local Team

The merger gives the group a solid presence in Europe. From its base in Langerwehe, SLCR manages plant engineering, sales, and service for the European market. Laserax offers both solution concepts primarily in the North American market. This creates a network that combines global reach with strong local teams — in line with the principle “think global, act local.”

For European customers, this means short communication channels with experienced local contacts, fast service, and a German location with well-established engineering expertise. This proximity is a tangible advantage, particularly in surface finishing, where a high standard of service is crucial to customer satisfaction. In return, SLCR gains access to Laserax’s international sales and support network and can bring its technology to the global market on a large scale for the first time.

Nicolas Otis, Managing Director of Laserax GmbH, works closely with the team in Germany. His task is to accelerate the exchange of know-how and quickly bring the collaboration between the two companies to life — not to create additional layers of management.

“Momentum and New Opportunities”

“This partnership opens a new chapter for SLCR,” says Olav G. Schulz, founder and CEO of SLCR Lasertechnik GmbH. “It brings together two strong, complementary companies. Together, we offer first-class solutions for laser surface treatment — with global reach and strong local teams in Europe and North America. For our team in Langerwehe, this means momentum and new opportunities.”

“Our customers stand to benefit greatly from this partnership,” says Xavier Godmaire, CEO and co-founder of Laserax. “We’re combining Laserax’s global sales network and application expertise with SLCR's unique process and engineering expertise. This gives our customers immediate access to new products and applications — and we’re pooling our development resources to make laser processes smarter with Physical AI. At the same time, with SLCR, we're gaining a strong European team and manufacturing capabilities in Germany — a key market in the heart of Europe — which we’ll serve as a local partner going forward.”

A Market That’s Growing for Good Reason

Laser surface treatment is growing worldwide because it requires no chemicals or other additional consumables. This lowers users’ carbon footprint, reduces operating costs, and helps meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations. As a result, the process is becoming attractive to companies in a growing number of industries.

Both partners are already firmly established in the automotive industry, particularly in e-mobility. They also serve the energy sector, the growing defense industry, and the electronics sector. With their combined portfolio, both companies can better meet customer requirements across all these markets.