---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001111928-21-000161"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "IPGP"
cik: "0001111928"
company_name: "IPG PHOTONICS CORP"
filed_at: "2021-10-25T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-28T18:20:53.548996+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# IPG Photonics announces death of founder and Chairman Dr. Valentin Gapontsev at 82

## Summary
- Dr. Valentin Gapontsev, founder, Chairman, and former CEO (until April 2021), passed away at age 82.
- Gapontsev founded company's predecessor in 1990 and built vertically integrated business with over 6,000 employees worldwide.
- He held over 100 patents and authored over 200 scientific papers; known as 'Father of the Fiber Laser Industry'.
- CEO Dr. Eugene Scherbakov cites Gapontsev's technical innovations and strategic vision as transformative for laser industry.
- Lead Independent Director John Peeler praises his vision and entrepreneurial drive over thirty years.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001111928-21-000161
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: IPGP
- cik: 0001111928
- company_name: IPG PHOTONICS CORP
- filed_at: 2021-10-25T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1111928/000111192821000161/0001111928-21-000161-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1111928/000111192821000161/ipgp-20211025.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001111928-21-000161
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001111928-21-000161.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001111928-21-000161.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Dr. Valentin P. Gapontsev departed as Chairman at IPG PHOTONICS CORP.
  - Action: passed away
  - Role: Chairman
  source text: On October 25, 2021, IPG Photonics Corporation (the “Company”) announced with profound sadness the passing of its beloved founder, innovator, longtime Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Valentin P. Gapontsev.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1111928/000111192821000161/0001111928-21-000161-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.