ZEISS opens high-tech center, leveraging digital, other market opportunities

ZEISS has completed construction of its new R&D, production, sales and customer service site in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bringing together hundreds of ZEISS employees and key functions under one roof, represents a major milestone in the company’s international innovation and growth strategy. “The new ZEISS Innovation Center harnesses our technological, research and customer services strengths in one of the world’s premier technology innovation locations,” says Dr. Christian Müller, CFO of the ZEISS Group. “This long-term commitment to the Bay Area and the North American market, strongly supports the development of exciting innovations that benefit our global customers, alongside new collaboration opportunities with our partners across academia, industry and local communities.”

The $180 million investment in the new high-tech site in Dublin, a fast-growing city near San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, is an integral part of the ZEISS global strategy to expand its presence close to research centers and growth markets. The ZEISS Innovation Center’s R&D efforts will increasingly focus on digital solutions and scientific and industry partnerships spanning disciplines and technologies – key drivers behind the company’s decision to locate the Center in the Bay Area. 

Entrepreneurial ecosystem that cultivates technology innovations
The ZEISS Innovation Center houses customer experience and demonstration centers showcasing recent ZEISS innovations, as well as research laboratories, service and production facilities. With engineers, researchers, and sales and service teams from across ZEISS located on the same premises, global customers and partners will be able to more fully benefit from ZEISS’ expertise. The Center also serves as the US headquarters for the ZEISS medical technology business, bundled under the Frankfurt-listed company Carl Zeiss Meditec AG in which ZEISS holds the majority. ZEISS medical technology develops and distributes cutting-edge solutions for ophthalmology and microsurgery worldwide. The investment in the new California site underscores the commitment to developing advanced technologies that improve the quality of life of patients, and that drive progress, efficiency, and access in healthcare.

The new site also brings together the X-Ray Microscopy business and the ZEISS Microscopy Customer Center, strengthening initiatives to realize growing market and R&D opportunities in materials research, life sciences and industrial applications. The co-location of the microscopy and ophthalmology businesses offers additional collaborative opportunities, particularly in image processing, machine learning and artificial intelligence.

The ZEISS Process Control Solutions activities for the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment is also based at the Center.

Workplace culture shaped by a forward-looking strategy
The opening of the ZEISS Innovation Center coincides with the 175th anniversary of the ZEISS Group, which was founded in 1846 in Jena, Germany. Commemoration initiatives will spotlight the company’s long-held commitment to open, unbiased, and science-based problem-solving leading to breakthrough technologies that benefit current and future generations. In that spirit, the Innovation Center is designed to foster entrepreneurial ventures among ZEISS employees, research partners and customers in a state-of-the-art open, team-oriented work environment.

ZEISS has been expanding and modernizing sites in the United States, Germany, Europe, and Asia in recent years to fully leverage the potential of those markets. In January 2020, ZEISS began operating the ZEISS Innovation Hub at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Karlsruhe, Germany. The Innovation Hub promotes scientific and technology collaborations and start-up ventures. An additional high-tech site is under construction in Jena, Germany.

High-tech building that reflects a commitment to sustainability
In line with its strong technology track record, the ZEISS Innovation Center in Dublin meets the highest green energy and sustainability standards. The building is powered by solar energy, supported by use-based light and air controls and a heat recovery system. Sophisticated light and insulation technologies help regulate the indoor temperature.

Rainwater collection and retention, along with wetland enhancement and maintenance, are incorporated into the exterior design. To support commutes and help reduce traffic congestion and pollution, employees will have access to electric vehicle chargers, bike storage, and carpool options.

The Center accommodates approximately 700 workspaces and the move-in will be phased over coming months in compliance with COVID-19 precautions and state and federal regulations.