Recently, Carl Zeiss announced on its official website that it plans to launch a new strategic business unit, ZEISS Photonics&Optics, on October 1, 2024, with the aim of providing excellent optoelectronic and optical products and solutions to global customers.
It is reported that starting from the 2024/25 fiscal year, Zeiss Group will establish a new business unit focused on optoelectronics and optics. This business unit will integrate seven specialized departments within the group with ultra-high growth potential to achieve independent operation.
Business situation after merger
The merged business unit will encompass the Microoptics, Spectroscopy, Astronomy, and Analog Projection Solutions businesses of the existing Shared Production Division of Zeiss Group, as well as the Cinematography, Mobile Imaging, Photography, and Optics for Nature Observation businesses that were originally part of the Consumer Products business unit.
The Consumer Products Strategy business unit will be adjusted to Zeiss Optoelectronics and Optics, covering cinematography, mobile imaging, photography, as well as optical businesses for hunting and natural observation. At the same time, the Microoptics, Spectroscopy, Planetarium, and Simulated Projection Solutions businesses of Zeiss Group's Shared Production Division will also be included in this new strategic business unit. Zeiss Optoelectronics will establish branches in Germany, Hungary, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and China, with an expected annual revenue of approximately 200 million euros and nearly 900 employees.
The common feature of these subsidiaries is that they focus on serving customers in specific markets and have won widespread praise for the Zeiss brand. Zeiss Optoelectronics will focus on the development of independent business units as a whole, making significant contributions to the continuous progress of the brand.
According to statistics, over 20 million people visit the Zeiss Planetarium every year, and over 15 million people use Zeiss optical equipment for mobile photography. The movies produced by Zeiss lenses attract audiences from cinemas and streaming platforms around the world. Zeiss's high-performance innovations in the field of micro optics, such as Jena's multifunctional glass, have been widely applied in the automotive and smart home industries.
"The establishment of Zeiss Optoelectronics provides a more suitable development environment for these smaller but specialized companies, and tailors management, culture, and business support functions for them. The goal of this new strategic business unit is to ensure that every enterprise can thrive economically and help further strengthen the Zeiss brand," said Stefan M ü ller, Chief Financial Officer of Zeiss Group.
Andre Kutz, the current head of strategic enterprise development at ZEISS Group, and Dr. Bernhard Ohnesorge, a member of the ZEISS Group Shared Production Unit Management Committee, will lead the Zeiss Optoelectronics and Optics division starting from the 2024/25 fiscal year. Both leaders have rich international experience in strategic development, particularly adept at establishing and developing small businesses that focus on technological innovation.
This recombination of photonics and optics will not change the products, services, or contact information of Zeiss customers.
Current organizational structure
Carl Zeiss AG is a German company specializing in the manufacturing of optical and optoelectronic equipment. Since Carl Zeiss, the founder of the company, founded the Precision Machinery and Optics Workshop in Jena, Germany in 1846, the Zeiss Group has developed into a leading enterprise with four major business departments: semiconductor manufacturing technology, research and quality technology, medical technology, and vision health/consumer optical products. Carl Zeiss AG is the holding company responsible for the strategic management of the Zeiss Group, and the company is wholly owned by Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).
Currently, ZEISS owns all subsidiaries of Zeiss Group, the largest of which includes Carl ZEISS Meditec AG Carl ZEISS Vision GmbH, Carl ZEISS SMT GmbH, Carl ZEISS IMT GmbH, and Carl ZEISS microbook GmbH.
Latest Performance
In the first half of fiscal year 2023/24, despite challenging market conditions, Zeiss Group achieved double-digit growth. The company continues to drive its investment strategy and is committed to transforming into a data and process driven organization.
In the first half of this fiscal year, Zeiss Group's total revenue reached 5.304 billion euros (as of March 31, 2024), a year-on-year increase of 10%. Earnings before interest and tax amounted to 739 million euros (a decrease of 178 million euros from the previous year). Research and development expenses account for 15% of revenue, and the number of employees has increased to 44558.
Looking back at the past fiscal year 2022/23, Zeiss Group's sales exceeded the 10 billion euro mark for the first time, and its investment in research and development, infrastructure, and company transformation also reached a historic high. All four major business sectors have achieved rapid growth, with the semiconductor manufacturing technology market showing particularly strong growth. This is mainly due to the high demand for deep ultraviolet (DUV) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems, as well as the first delivery of high numerical aperture technology optical systems to Dutch lithography giant ASML.
Source: OFweek
