Since the beginning of 2022, Josef Hechenberger has been
head of the department. He has gained vast experience in
lighting at the development of the dipped headlights and
full laser beam of the BMW 7 and 4 Series and the Mercedes
Benz GLC. In 2018, he changed to Molto Luce in Weißkirchen
and became an optics developer, designing the spotlight
series ARTIS, the office floor lamp CONCEPT and the dark
reflector of the MOVA-S spotlight.
For Josef Hechenberger the know-how and ex-
pertise are demanded on a daily basis, after all
he is responsible for at least fifteen new prod-
uct families every year. Molto Luce products
are famous for their technically highly complex
and cutting-edge design with the most diverse
applications. But before a luminaire goes into
production, the product development team of
thirty people has to overcome many obstacles.
How has the subject of optics arisen?
How can one become an optics developer?
The focus of my master programme in Technical Physics
was optics and laser technology. I could make a lot of
experience in lens systems which I also explored for my
master thesis to find the perfect laser setting. I received
some offers for my doctoral programme and had to decide
whether to earn my PhD or to start a career in economics.
I went for the job and started as an optics developer in
2016 at the company ZKW which produces spotlights,
among others, for the car industry. Two years later I want-
ed a change and started my career at Molto Luce.
What fascinates you most about optics?
The play of light and light control. Light is an emotional
matter - different light distributions create various light-
ing atmospheres. Optics plays an important role, in com-
bination with the light source it defines the distribution of
light and has a big impact on the mood. The simulation and
interpretation of optics is just as fascinating. The moment
when you see the light distribution of the designed optics
the first time in the dark room is the most exciting moment
in my job. This is when you find out whether optics and
light effect are like in the simulation and if everything can
be realised as planned.
What are the future challenges of optics?
And what is your focus in the department?
The construction rooms of luminaires are getting smaller
and topics like energy efficiency and sustainability are
gaining importance, also for materials. This has a big im-
pact on our work. The focus will be on innovation also in
the future, especially on quality, reliability, variation and
flexibility, as this offers a great potential for differenti-
ation. In this way, we can also guarantee the production
site in Austria and make the best use of our strengths for
our success.
When was Molto Luce’s development department launched?
Product development at Molto Luce started in 2001. Six
years ago today’s CTO Wolfgang Brunmayr took over
the department and shaped it according to his ideas to
become high level. This technological progress affect-
ed all our departments, so that the company has highly
increased its know-how in the past twenty years. The
fact that we have a very low fluctuation rate, helps a
lot: in the past four years only two employees left the
development department.
Which significance has development for the company?
The product development at the site in Weißkirchen has
a very high significance and is often called the heart of
Molto Luce. It has grown big. Molto Luce founder Fritz Eiber
together with the two other CEOs Bernd Diesenberger and
Christoph Königslehner trust our capailities.
JOSEF HECHENBERGER, engineer at
Molto Luce and Head of Product
Development about the fascination
of designing light
“LIGHT
“LIGHT
IS AN
IS AN
EMOTIONAL
EMOTIONAL
MATTER”
MATTER”
‘Mastermind of light’. In the following interview,
Josef Hechenberger explains how Molto Luce’s
maxim is in accord with his personal objectives.
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PEOPL E
PEOPL E
