ZEISS reports stable growth for the first half of the fiscal year

"We are continuing the ZEISS Group's dynamic growth from the previous year in the first half of 2022/23."

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German optical systems and optoelectronics manufacturer ZEISS has reported stable growth for the first half of the fiscal year, along with a new record as the company's workforce surpasses 40,000 globally for the first time.

Key information:

  • ZEISS declares half-year revenue above the previous year's level with all four of the group's segments having contributed to growth.
  • The group's half-year revenue reached 4,836 million EUR, with earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) standing at 917€ million.
  • The German group has also seen an increase in employees by 6%, taking it to a staff of over 40,000 for the first time.

ZEISS has announced stable, double-digit growth during a challenging geopolitical and macroeconomic climate. Reportedly, the group recorded growth across its four business segments: semiconductor manufacturing, industrial quality and research, medical technology, and consumer markets. ZEISS also saw positive development in orders in the direct-to-market segments, with numbers that exceeded previous years. 

According to the report, the optical systems and optoelectronics manufacturer’s half-year revenue reached 4,836 million EUR, which was up 18% on the previous year. While earnings pre-interest and tax (EBIT) stood at 917 million EUR, which is also up on the previous year (by 181 million EUR). ZEISS says it saw growth in revenue in the APAC and EMEA regions, as well as the Americas.   

The company’s equity has also increased, from 7,173 million EUR (30 September 2022) to 7,460 million EUR. The equity ratio stands at 56%. In particular, investments in equipment, plant and property totalled 569 million EUR.

“The half-year results also demonstrate that ZEISS is in a very stable and financially strong position, while continuing to invest heavily in the future - this includes increasing capacities, such as building up infrastructure and personnel,” said Dr. Christian Müller, CFO of Carl Zeiss AG.

The company also increased its research and development expenditure to 14.5% of revenue (which stood at 702 million EUR) in the first half of 2022/2023. 

“We are continuing the ZEISS Group’s dynamic growth from the previous year in the first half of 2022/23,” and Dr. Karl Lamprecht, President and CEO of ZEISS. “Our substantial expenditure on research and development and our investments in global infrastructure are important elements of our long-term growth strategy and underpin the company’s positive development.”

The ZEISS Group has also announced that its global workforce has surpassed 40,000 for the first time. As of 31 March 2023, the company has a reported employee count of 41,259, up 6% compared to the start of the fiscal year. 

While all four business segments contributed to growth in the first half of fiscal year 2022/23, ZEISS added that 'ongoing challenging geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions are having a varying impact on the strategic business units.'

Lamprecht added: “If the markets remain stable, we assume that growth will also continue in all four ZEISS segments in the second half of the fiscal year. This growth is also reflected in our personnel requirements, where, for example, we are currently looking to fill around 2,000 vacancies in Germany alone in order to continue to have the capacity to support our customers worldwide with innovative solutions."