“The People Behind the Machines Deserve Recognition” – Shervin Rahimi on SYN, Laser Welding and the Value of Skilled Work

In an industry driven by technological innovation, automation and precision, the people behind the machines are not always given the attention they deserve. In this exclusive 25-question interview, Shervin Rahimi, Founder & CEO of Sigma Laser GmbH, discusses the experiences that inspired SYN – Wertschätzung, the importance of skilled professionals in industrial manufacturing, and why the company is inviting Europe’s laser welding community to join a special appreciation initiative on 17 December 2026.

Industrial laser welding has evolved significantly over the years. New technologies, more advanced equipment and increasingly sophisticated manufacturing processes have expanded what is technically possible. Yet behind every successful welding application stands something that cannot be replaced by machine specifications alone: the experience, judgement and craftsmanship of the people working with the technology. For Shervin Rahimi, Founder & CEO of Sigma Laser GmbH, this human contribution has become increasingly apparent through years of collaboration with welding professionals.

That understanding inspired SYN – Wertschätzung, an initiative designed to recognise the individuals whose everyday work contributes to the quality and reliability of industrial manufacturing. On 17 December 2026, Sigma Laser will bring the initiative to life through a free online appreciation event for professionals in the laser welding industry. In this extended interview, Rahimi discusses what appreciation means to him, what manufacturers can learn from their users, and why recognising everyday expertise matters as much as celebrating technological progress.

Part 1 — The People Behind Laser Welding

1. Mr Rahimi, in an industry where discussions often focus on technology, machinery and productivity, why did you feel it was important to put people at the centre of the conversation?

Shervin Rahimi: In our industry, we often talk about machines, technologies and innovation. These are important subjects, of course, and technological progress continues to create new possibilities for industrial manufacturing. But ultimately, it is the people working with these machines who determine the quality of the results. Throughout my years in laser welding, I have met many equipment users and experienced professionals. These encounters have shown me just how important their knowledge, practical skills and experience are.

Even the most advanced technology needs people who understand how to apply it correctly. With SYN, we want to shift some of the attention away from the machines themselves and towards the people who work with them every day. Their contribution deserves to be recognised.

2. How visible do you think the contributions of laser welders and other manufacturing professionals really are?

Rahimi: I think the work of skilled manufacturing professionals often receives relatively little attention outside the industry. People see the finished product. They see the component, the machine or the final assembly. But they rarely see the individuals who contributed to making it possible. In laser welding, experience, precision and craftsmanship play an essential role.

Many tasks require careful judgement and a detailed understanding of the application. These skills develop through practical experience, often over many years. That is why I believe the people carrying out this work deserve more visibility and appreciation. Their contribution is an important part of industrial quality, even when it is not immediately apparent in the finished product.

3. Was there a particular moment in your career when you realised that these professionals deserved more recognition?

Rahimi: It was not one particular moment. It was something I came to understand gradually through many years of working in the laser welding industry. We regularly work with welding specialists and equipment users, and we encounter a wide variety of practical requirements. What may initially appear to be a straightforward welding task can turn out to be quite demanding.

Time and again, I have seen how much experience and practical ability are needed to handle these challenges reliably. These experiences have reinforced my respect for the people who work directly with welding technology. Over time, they also strengthened my belief that their work deserves more recognition than it usually receives.

4. If you could speak directly to a laser welder working a shift today, what would you want to say?

Rahimi: I would say that good welding results depend on more than the machine. The knowledge, experience and practical skills of the person operating the equipment are extremely important. I would also like to say thank you.

Thank you for your work, your experience and the contribution you make every day to the quality of industrial manufacturing. A great deal of important work happens without attracting much attention. But that does not make it any less valuable.

Part 2 — How SYN – Wertschätzung Began

5. How did the idea for SYN and the Wertschätzung initiative come about?

Rahimi: The idea came from a desire to establish closer connections with the people in our industry and, at the same time, give something back to them. As a manufacturer, we naturally spend a great deal of time discussing technologies, applications and equipment. But our relationships with the people who use these technologies are equally important.

We wanted to create an initiative that was not directly connected to selling our machines. Instead, we wanted to focus on skilled professionals and recognise the work they do every day.

That was the starting point for SYN – Wertschätzung. The concept is simple: we want to acknowledge the people who contribute to our industry and give them an opportunity to take part in a shared moment of appreciation.

6. What did you observe in the laser welding community that made you want to take action?

Rahimi: In our industry, technical developments, machines and commercial considerations are usually at the centre of attention. We discuss new capabilities, technical performance and the economic requirements of manufacturing. These topics are important, but the people who work with these technologies every day often receive comparatively little attention.

We wanted to create an opportunity to address these professionals directly. SYN is a way of making their contribution more visible and showing that their work is valued. It is a relatively simple gesture, but I believe the message behind it is important.

7. Why did you choose an appreciation initiative rather than a product launch or a conventional sales event?

Rahimi: We regularly introduce new technologies and products. That is a natural part of our business. With SYN, however, we deliberately wanted to do something different. This time, we did not want the focus to be on our machines. We wanted to focus on the people working with laser technology.

At the same time, we want to encourage dialogue within the industry and establish new connections. For us, SYN is an opportunity to communicate with professionals in a different way, without making a product or a sales discussion the central subject. It is about recognising the people who contribute to our industry.

8. Why did you choose the German word “Wertschätzung”, and what does appreciation mean to you personally?

Rahimi: To me, appreciation means recognising the work and contributions of other people. It means being aware of what they do and acknowledging the value of their efforts. In technical professions, good work is often taken for granted.

When someone has spent years developing a particular skill, demanding tasks can become part of their everyday routine. But the fact that something has become routine does not mean that it is easy or unimportant.

With SYN, we want to express our appreciation for precisely this kind of daily commitment. It is our way of saying thank you to the skilled professionals who contribute so much to industrial manufacturing.

Part 3 — What Skilled Professionals Have Taught Sigma Laser

9. How does SYN reflect the values and philosophy of Sigma Laser?

Rahimi: At Sigma Laser, we place great importance on long-term customer relationships and personal contact with our users. For us, developing and selling machines is only one part of the relationship. We also want to understand the people who use our systems, the requirements they face and the challenges they encounter in their daily work.

This exchange is valuable for both sides. SYN reflects that philosophy because it puts personal contact and mutual appreciation at the centre. We want to maintain a close connection with the people in our industry, not only when discussing technical questions or equipment requirements, but also by recognising their contribution.

10. What has Sigma Laser learned from working closely with laser welders and equipment users?

Rahimi: One important lesson is that practical requirements are often different from what you imagine when developing a machine. During product development, you work with technical specifications, design objectives and expected applications. But once the equipment is used in real manufacturing environments, you encounter additional requirements and practical challenges.

The people working with these machines have valuable experience that helps us understand those situations. That is why feedback from users is particularly important to us.

Many improvements to our laser welding systems have emerged from direct discussions with skilled professionals. This practical exchange helps us better understand what users need and where technical developments can make a meaningful difference.

11. Do you believe the relationship between equipment manufacturers, users and specialists should extend beyond buying and selling machinery?

Rahimi: Absolutely. Particularly in technically demanding applications, long-term cooperation is essential. Our customers and users bring their practical experience to the relationship, while we contribute our technical knowledge and understanding of laser welding systems.

Both sides can learn from one another. This kind of cooperation helps us better understand practical requirements and enables users to benefit from our technical expertise.

In many cases, it leads to relationships that continue for years. We believe these long-term connections are an important part of working successfully in the laser welding industry.

12. How would you like participants to feel about the laser welding community after taking part in SYN?

Rahimi: I would be pleased if participants came away feeling that their work is seen and appreciated. That is the main message we want to communicate. We also want to show that our industry has more in common than machines, technical specifications and manufacturing processes.

Behind every application are people with experience, expertise and commitment. These people may work for different companies and use different equipment, but they share a connection through their professional knowledge and their work. I hope SYN helps strengthen that sense of connection and encourages more appreciation for the people across our industry.

Part 4 — What Is SYN and How Can Professionals Participate?

13. For someone hearing about SYN for the first time, how would you explain the initiative?

Rahimi: SYN – Wertschätzung is an initiative by Sigma Laser that aims to connect with the people working in laser welding and recognise their daily contributions. We want to put skilled professionals at the centre of attention. As part of the initiative, we are inviting people from across the laser welding industry to participate in a free online event.

There will also be an opportunity to win prizes. But the essential idea is not about the prizes or the machines. It is about the people behind the technology and our desire to thank them for their work.

14. What steps does someone need to take to participate in SYN – Wertschätzung?

Rahimi: Participation is straightforward. First, interested professionals register through our event website and confirm their email address. They then provide suitable evidence that they work in laser welding.

This may include a photograph related to their professional activity or another relevant form of documentation, depending on the accepted verification requirements. Our team reviews the submitted information to confirm eligibility.

Once the registration has been approved, the participant can take part in the event. Participation is free of charge.

15. Why do participants need to submit a photograph or other evidence of their work?

Rahimi: We want this initiative to reach people who are genuinely involved in laser welding. The verification process helps us confirm that participants belong to the professional community the event is intended for. A photograph or another suitable form of evidence allows us to assess eligibility.

It also gives us a better understanding of the different applications, working environments and areas of expertise represented within the industry. The purpose is to keep the initiative focused on the people whose work we want to recognise.

16. Is SYN limited to Sigma Laser customers, or can professionals using equipment from other manufacturers also participate?

Rahimi: Of course, users of equipment from other manufacturers are welcome. SYN is intended for professionals across the laser welding industry, regardless of which machines they use. We do not want the initiative to be limited to our own customers.

Our aim is to encourage broad participation and reach people working in different companies and industrial applications. The message is one of appreciation for skilled professionals, not promotion of a particular machine manufacturer. Everyone who meets the participation requirements is welcome.

17. What will happen on 17 December 2026, and what can participants expect?

Rahimi: On 17 December, our online prize event will take place. Participants who have completed their registration and passed the eligibility verification will be able to access the SYN platform and spin a digital wheel of fortune. There will be opportunities to win different prizes.

We have planned a Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ Enterprise Edition as the main prize, along with several smaller prizes. Above all, we want the event to be enjoyable.

The intention is to offer a small gesture of appreciation to the skilled professionals in our industry and give them something to look forward to. It is our way of saying thank you.

Part 5 — Why Participation Matters Beyond the Prizes

18. Why should a laser welding professional take a few minutes to register for SYN?

Rahimi: Registration is free, straightforward and takes only a few minutes. Participants have the opportunity to win prizes, of course, but there is also something more behind the initiative. SYN offers an opportunity to be part of a shared activity within our industry.

We want to thank skilled professionals for their daily work and offer them a small moment of enjoyment. We hope that people will see the initiative as a positive gesture and an opportunity to take part in something that recognises their contribution.

19. Beyond the possibility of winning a prize, what is the value of participating in a collective initiative like SYN?

Rahimi: The prizes are certainly an attractive incentive. But we also want to strengthen the sense of community and encourage dialogue within the industry. One of the important messages behind SYN is that skilled work deserves recognition regardless of where someone works or which equipment they use.

Professionals across the laser welding industry share many experiences, even when they work in different companies or applications. We would like the initiative to highlight that common ground. If participants feel that their work is noticed and appreciated, then we will have communicated something important.

20. Could SYN also encourage people to recognise colleagues, mentors or other members of their teams?

Rahimi: Yes, absolutely. Teamwork is especially important in manufacturing. Experienced professionals pass on their knowledge to younger colleagues, and many tasks can only be completed successfully through cooperation.

This transfer of knowledge is an important part of professional development within the industry. We would be pleased if SYN also gave people a reason to acknowledge the colleagues who contribute to their work.

Perhaps someone will tell a colleague about the initiative or encourage a member of their team to participate. That would be very much in the spirit of what we want to achieve.

21. What would you say to someone who feels their everyday work is too ordinary to deserve recognition?

Rahimi: I would say that it is precisely this everyday work that keeps our industry running. What seems normal or straightforward to an experienced specialist often requires years of practical experience and considerable technical knowledge. When someone performs a demanding task regularly, it can become part of their routine.

But that does not reduce the skill involved. Not every important contribution is immediately visible, and not every achievement needs to be extraordinary.

I believe everyday professional work deserves attention and recognition too. That is one of the central ideas behind SYN.

Part 6 — A Personal Message to the Laser Welding Community

22. If you could share just one message with Europe’s laser welding community, what would it be?

Rahimi: Laser welding technology is constantly evolving. New developments are opening up more possibilities, and Sigma Laser has been actively involved in this field for many years. But however advanced the technology becomes, the people who understand it and apply it in practice remain essential.

Their knowledge, experience and commitment play a significant role in the success of industrial manufacturing. My message would be that technological progress and human expertise belong together. We should never overlook the people who make these technologies useful in everyday industrial applications.

23. How would you personally invite welders, machine operators and other industry professionals to take part in SYN?

Rahimi: I would like to warmly invite everyone working professionally in laser welding to take part. Whether you work with a Sigma Laser machine or equipment from another manufacturer, you are welcome. Register for our free online event and take the opportunity to participate in the prize draw.

More importantly, join us in recognising the people who contribute to our industry every day. We would be very pleased to welcome professionals from different companies and areas of laser welding.

24. What would you like to say to everyone who contributes to the laser welding industry through their daily work?

Rahimi: I would like to thank everyone who contributes to the success of our industry through their knowledge, experience and craftsmanship. Your work is important, even when it is not always in the spotlight. Every day, skilled professionals help ensure that industrial manufacturing processes produce reliable results.

This contribution deserves our respect and appreciation. With SYN, we want to make a small gesture that acknowledges that work.

It is a simple message, but one that I sincerely believe is worth expressing. Thank you for what you do.

25. Finally, what would be your personal invitation to the community?

Rahimi: You weld. We say thank you. Join SYN – Wertschätzung.

Register for free and take part in our online appreciation event on 17 December 2026. Whether you are a Sigma Laser customer or work with another manufacturer’s equipment, we look forward to welcoming you.

This initiative is for the people whose skills and dedication contribute to laser welding every day. We hope you will be part of it.