Frank Carsten Herzog
Based on his student research projects, Frank Carsten Herzog developed the LaserCUSING® technology, i.e., powder bed-based laser melting of metals, in 1997. In 1999, he was able to file two basic patent applications for the laser melting method, which is now globally considered the key technology in the industry, on the basis of his diploma thesis “Introduction of New Sintering Technologies in the Rapid Tooling Process.” Driven by his pioneering spirit, he founded Concept Laser GmbH together with his wife in 2000.
As a shareholder, Presiding Managing Director of Concept Laser and Supervisory Board member of GE Additive, Frank Carsten Herzog was actively working on transforming Concept Laser GmbH with its LaserCUSING® technology to a globally operating company between 2016 and 2019. In 2019, he founded the Forschungs- & Anwendungszentrum für digitale Zukunftstechnologien (Lichtenfels Center of Next Generation Digital Technologies) in Lichtenfels/Upper Franconia. Being the main initiator of this lighthouse project and a pioneer of the additive technology, Frank Carsten Herzog kept on promoting 3D printing in industry, trade, and society. As HZG Group’s CEO, he supports start-up businesses, especially in the field of digital future technologies, and engages in different projects.
In addition to this, Frank Carsten Herzog is active in the Board of Trustees of the Fraunhofer ILT and is a member of the Additive Manufacturing expert committee of the Second Digital Master Plan (Masterplan Bayern Digital II) of the Bavarian State Government. For his ingenuity and entrepreneurial activity, Frank Carsten Herzog was awarded numerous accolades, first and foremost the nomination for the German Future Prize (Deutscher Zukunftspreis) – the German President’s award for technology and innovation – as well as the associated introduction into the “Circle of the Best.”
Frank Carsten Herzog is specified as an inventor in 55 property rights families and 483 individual property rights.
Kerstin Herzog
Kerstin Herzog studied mechanical engineering with the main focus on “innovation technologies” at the Coburg University of Applied Sciences and graduated as Diplom-Ingenieurin (FH) (graduate engineer) in 2000. Together with her husband, Frank Carsten Herzog, she founded Concept Laser GmbH in the same year – which marked the beginning of a pioneering history.
After 19 years as a shareholder and member of the Management Board of Concept Laser GmbH, she has profound knowledge and a wealth of experience in the field of additive manufacturing. Additionally, Kerstin Herzog was in charge of the entire Human Resources department as well as company’s finances. From 2016 onward, she has been working together with General Electric on the adjustment of the family enterprise to the structures of a multinational.
Today, Kerstin Herzog is always glad to use her experience and expertise to promote and support young entrepreneurs.
