At Year’s End, Zeiss Seeks to ‘Sharpen Competitiveness’

Citing global financial uncertainty and unfavorable currency conversion rates, the Zeiss Group nonetheless ended its fiscal year Sept. 30 with increased revenues and profits.

Fiscal 2014 revenue was €4.287 billion (about $5.291 billion), up 2.3 percent from €4.190 billion in fiscal 2013. Earnings before interest and taxes were €360 million (about $444 million), up 14.3 percent from €315 million in fiscal 2013.

While the company’s industrial metrology, semiconductor manufacturing technology and medical technology segments performed well, its optics and microscopy segments didn’t meet expectations.

Revenue for the consumer optics business group was €185 million (about $228 million), down 5.1 percent from the previous year, though its profits were up. The microscopy business group increased its revenues by 4.3 percent, to €656 million (about $809 million), but did not meet profitability goals.

Zeiss said it has launched “a comprehensive program aimed at sharpening its competitiveness.” It expects stable revenues and earnings in fiscal 2015.

The company had 24,817 employees as of Sept. 30, just under 200 more than at the end of fiscal 2013.

Zeiss develops and distributes lithography optics, measuring technology, microscopes, medical technology, eyeglass lenses, camera and cinema lenses, binoculars and planetarium technology.

For more information, visit www.zeiss.de.