Hessen: an important location for the optical industry
Around 20,000 people are employed at about 180 companies in Hessen’s optical industry. This is a sector with an above-average potential for growth and innovation, offering outstanding job prospects.
It also includes many highly-specialised companies like the laser technology manufacturer Excel Technology Europe in Darmstadt and Vitronic in Wiesbaden, a world leader in image processing.
The city of Wetzlar in Central Hessen is a centre for the German optical industry. Over 70 optical companies are based in and around Wetzlar, employing a total of 5,400 people. They turn over hundreds of millions of euros with the development and production of optical devices.
Network in Central Hessen
The “Wetzlar Network” was founded in 2010 to strengthen the sector in Central Hessen and raise the profile of the optical, mechanical and electronics industry on the national and international stage. 23 companies and institutions are already members and use the community as a mediator, communicator and disseminator. By forming networks, companies are able to promote their skills and innovation potential in a more targeted manner. The members of the network collaborate especially with Hessen’s universities like the University of Applied Sciences in Central Hessen (THM).
Leading optical companies in Hessen:
- Carl Zeiss Sports Optics
- Leica Camera and Leica Microsystems
- Minox
- OptoTech
- Satisloh
- Vitronic
- Vistec
- Oculus
- Bedea
- Merck
- Evonik Röhm
- Heraeus