ZEISS Asserts its Position in Difficult Environment

Revenue and earnings above the previous year - continued high level of expenditure on research and development

STUTTGART, Germany, Dec. 17, 2014 /CNW/ - In the past 2013/14 fiscal year (ended 30 September 2014) ZEISS increased its revenue by two percent to EUR 4.287 billion (last year: EUR 4.190 billion) despite unfavorable currency effects. Earnings (EBIT) grew by 14 percent to EUR 360 million. "Overall, 2013/14 was a successful fiscal year for the ZEISS Group," said Dr. Michael Kaschke, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG. "Thanks to our broad portfolio we have remained on track to further growth despite the difficult conditions confronting us in the global economy. However, the business groups developed differently and did not meet our expectations in all cases."

The number of employees increased slightly to 24,817 worldwide. Expenditure on research and development activities rose by eight percent to EUR 448 million. Investments in property, plant and equipment totaled EUR 188 million.

The stagnation currently emerging in the world economy poses new challenges to the company. Nevertheless, ZEISS expects a stable revenue development in fiscal year 2014/15.

More information at http://www.zeiss.de/pressconference

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics industries. ZEISS develops and distributes lithography optics, measuring technology, microscopes, medical technology, eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses, binoculars and planetarium technology. With its solutions, the company constantly advances the world of optics and helps shape technological progress. The company is divided up into the six business groups Industrial Metrology, Microscopy, Medical Technology, Vision Care, Consumer Optics and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. ZEISS is represented in over 40 countries - with around 30 production sites, over 50 sales and service locations and about 25 research and development facilities. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. Carl Zeiss AG is the strategic management holding company that manages the ZEISS Group. The company is wholly owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).

SOURCE: Carl Zeiss AG

For further information: Press contact: ZEISS Group, Jörg Nitschke, Group Press Spokesman, Phone [phone], Email: [e-mail]