8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

October 25, 2021

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware<br><br>(State or Other Jurisdiction<br><br>of Incorporation)	001-33155<br><br>(Commission File No.)	04-3444218<br><br>(IRS Employer<br><br>Identification No.)

50 Old Webster Road

Oxford, Massachusetts 01540

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

(508) 373-1100

(Registrant’s telephone number)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
---	---	---
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share	IPGP	Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

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.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

A copy of the Company’s press release addressing the subject of this Current Report on Form 8-K is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information presented herein under Item 7.01 and set forth in the attached press release included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report is deemed to be “furnished” solely pursuant to item 7.01 of this report and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information or the exhibits be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Item 9.01. Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 relating to Item 7.01 shall be deemed to be furnished, and not filed:

Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description
Exhibit 99.1	Press Release issued by IPG Photonics Corporation on October 25, 2021.
Exhibit 104	Inline XBRL for the cover page of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Current Report on Form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
October 25, 2021	By:	/s/ Angelo P. Lopresti
		Angelo P. Lopresti
		Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

Document

Exhibit 99.1

IPG Photonics Announces the Passing of Founder Dr. Valentin Gapontsev, Unique Combination of Scientist, Entrepreneur and Leader

Father of Fiber Laser Industry Commercialized Innovative Laser Technology

Changing Industrial Manufacturing

OXFORD, Mass., Oct. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It is with profound sadness that IPG Photonics announces the passing of beloved founder and Chairman and former CEO Dr. Valentin P. Gapontsev.

Dr. Eugene Scherbakov, Chief Executive Officer, said “Valentin’s passing is a tremendous loss for the IPG community and the larger photonics world. Valentin’s technical innovations, strategic vision for the capabilities of fiber lasers and entrepreneurial drive transformed the laser industry and industrial automation to the point where lasers are finally cost-effective, reliable and effective tools that have mass applications in global industrial production. Recognized as the Father of the Fiber Laser Industry, his leadership and unique strategies enabled IPG to be at the forefront of rapid technological developments, and will continue to inspire us to strive for greatness in all that we do. Our love and thoughts are with his wife and family during this profoundly sad time.”

Dr. Gapontsev, 82, founded the Company's predecessor in 1990. He has been IPG’s Chairman since the Company’s founding and its CEO until April 2021. His scientific innovations and business vision led to the creation of a vertically integrated business employing over 6,000 worldwide. Dr. Gapontsev is the named inventor on over 100 patents and author of over 200 scientific papers. In 2006, he was awarded the Ernst & Young® Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Industrial Products and Services in New England and in 2009, he was awarded the Arthur L. Schawlow Award by the Laser Institute of America. In 2011, he received the Russian Federation National Award in Science and Technology, and he was selected as a Fellow of the Optical Society of America. In 2010, the SPIE listed Dr. Gapontsev as one of 28 “Laser Luminaries” who made substantial contributions to lasers during the 50 years since lasers were invented.

John Peeler, Lead Independent Director of IPG’s Board of Directors, said “Valentin was universally admired for his vision and success in scientific innovations married to entrepreneurial drive over the last thirty years. He was a passionate leader for IPG, leaving indelible marks on everything and everyone he touched. As a mentor and friend to many, he also was generous, changing the lives of many for the better.”

About IPG Photonics Corporation

IPG Photonics Corporation is the leader in high-power fiber lasers and amplifiers used primarily in materials processing and other diverse applications. The Company’s mission is to make its fiber laser technology the tool of choice in mass production. IPG accomplishes this mission by delivering superior performance, reliability and usability at a lower total cost of ownership compared with other types of lasers and non-laser tools, allowing end users to increase productivity and decrease costs. A member of the S&P 500® Index, IPG is headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts and has more than 30 facilities worldwide. For more information, visit www.ipgphotonics.com.