"We are pleased that, together with the city of Aalen, we have been able to find space for our further development in East Württemberg," says Dr. Christian Müller, Chief Financial Officer at Zeiss and responsible for Business Services & Infrastructure. Around 2,000 employees from the Industrial Quality & Research (IQR) division are to work at the planned location, most of whom are currently working in Oberkochen. The expansion is part of a long-term growth strategy for the entire Zeiss Group: "In East Württemberg alone, also driven by the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology division, we are planning investments of more than 600 million euros in the coming years," says Dr. Christian Mueller further.

Zeiss continuously invests in its locations. The company is growing in Jena, Wetzlar, Dresden and at other locations in Germany and worldwide. In East Württemberg, too, the solid growth that has been going on for years is increasingly bringing the research and production site in Oberkochen to its capacity limits. “With the new space in Aalen-Ebnat, we are gaining space for the development of a building infrastructure that, in addition to modern workplaces, will also offer state-of-the-art laboratory and production areas. This ensures our long-term competitiveness and the innovative edge of our research and development capacities. At the same time, they offer the necessary flexibility to gradually lead the building fabric in the main plant in Oberkochen into the future," says Dr. Jochen Peter, member of the Management Board and responsible for the Industrial Quality & Research (IQR) division.

Further strengthen regional development in East Württemberg

“Many of our employees feel at home in East Württemberg. As a highly specialized and innovative company, the technical skills of the employees and the close local ties are decisive location factors for Zeiss. With the planned development, we are making a clear commitment to the region. We stand for secure jobs and reliable municipal growth and stability. This continues to apply without restriction to Oberkochen - and also to Aalen," explains Dr. Christian Mueller further.

Zeiss is currently working on the construction plan together with the city of Aalen. "As soon as the plans have taken shape, the first thing we do is inform our employees, and then of course the interested public," says Dr. Mueller.