ZEISS Ends Successful 2014/15 Fiscal Year

- STUTTGART, Germany, December 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- - Increase in Competitiveness Remains in Focus In the past 2014/15 fiscal year (ended 30 September 2015) ZEISS increased both its revenue and earnings: revenue rose to €4.511 billion (last year: €4.287 billion). This corresponds to an increase of 5 percent. With a figure of €369 million, EBIT was slightly above last year's figure (€360 million). "Fiscal year 2014/15 was a very challenging one for the ZEISS Group in some markets and segments. However, thanks to our broad portfolio, we were able to continue the growth trajectory of the entire Group and were successful overall," says Dr. Michael Kaschke, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG. "Despite the good revenue figures for most business segments, we must continue to sharpen our competitiveness if we are to maintain the leading position we already hold in many areas," says Kaschke.   The number of employees increased slightly to 24,946. Expenditure on research and development activities rose by 4 percent to €466 million. Investments in property, plant and equipment totaled €160 million. For fiscal year 2015/16, ZEISS anticipates only moderate growth of the global economy. Nevertheless, the ZEISS Group expects a slight increase in revenue for 2015/16. More information at http://www.zeiss.de/pressconference About ZEISS  ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics industries. The ZEISS Group 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. ZEISS is divided up into the four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Research & Quality Technology, Medical Technology, and Vision Care / Consumer Optics. ZEISS is represented in over 40 countries and operates more than 30 production sites, over 50 sales and service locations and about 25 research and development facilities. In fiscal year 2014/15 the company generated revenue approximating €4.5 billion with around 25,000 employees. 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). Press contact ZEISS Group Jörg Nitschke, Press Spokesman Phone +49-7364-20-3242 Email: joerg.nitschke@zeiss.com