IVAM Microtechnology Network: Tim Merforth Appointed New Managing Director

The Executive Board of the IVAM Microtechnology Network has appointed Tim Merforth as its new Managing Director. The digitalization expert officially took office on May 1, 2025, succeeding Dr. Hans van den Vlekkert, who most recently served as interim managing director.

In his new role, Tim Merforth will further develop IVAM’s strategic direction and actively drive its implementation in day-to-day operations. Particular focus will be placed on digitalization and internationalization to ensure that the association is modern and future-ready for its members.

“With a generational shift taking place in many member companies, the need to tailor and digitalize our services even more precisely is growing. At the same time, we want to preserve our established strengths and target new international markets for microsystems technology. Our goal is to foster trusted global networks between developers, manufacturers, and users of high-tech products,” explains IVAM Chairwoman Dominique Bouwes. “Tim Merforth, as an internationally experienced expert in digital transformation and innovative business models, brings the ideal qualifications to further increase the global visibility of our network and our members’ products, and to develop new offerings for the community,” Dominique Bouwes continues.

Tim Merforth grew up in South Korea and gained extensive international experience in Asia, the U.S., and Europe after studying economics at the University of Witten/Herdecke. His career path has included positions at Bertelsmann, the Handelsblatt Media Group, Amazon, and most recently Mazda Europe, where he was responsible for the automaker’s digital platforms across Europe.

“International business networks like IVAM are more important than ever in enabling collaboration with innovative partners along global value chains—and in jointly developing, producing, and marketing solutions for the technological challenges of the future,” says Tim Merforth. “It is with great enthusiasm that I take over from Hans van den Vlekkert, and I sincerely thank him for his dedication over the past months! I’m very much looking forward to contributing my experience and developing the association into an agile, sustainable, internationally connected digital platform for its members,” Tim Merforth adds.