In 1976, Mr. Federau took over the engineering firm founded by the two optical engineers Paul Schäfter and Kurt Kirchhoff and subsequently shaped the fortunes of the company for decades with his entrepreneurial vision and flair for high-quality technical solutions. In 2016, he established the non-profit Gregor Federau Foundation and contributed Schäfter+Kirchhoff GmbH to the foundation's assets.

As someone who did not have it easy in his younger years, it was important to him to help young people make a successful start to adult life despite difficult circumstances.

The staff and management of Schäfter+Kirchhoff GmbH have pledged to continue his work in his spirit and honoring his memory.

Further reading: Erfolgreiche Optomechanik – Die Schäfter+Kirchhoff GmbH ist Spezialist für Faseroptik, Laserlinien und Zeilenkameras, Firmenporträt, Physik Journal 16 (2017) Nr. 3, S. 86 • A. Knigge,  C. Knothe,  T. Kroker (Schäfter+Kirchhoff): Fiber optics for quantum – How to get light into quantum computers, PhotonicsViews 20(3), 39-43, first published 20 June 2023; DOI: 10.1002/phvs.202300018