Press Release

Stable, double-digit growth in first half of fiscal year

ZEISS was able to maintain the high level of incoming orders and revenue in the first half of the new fiscal year with solid growth dynamics across all four four segments.

16 May 2023
  • Half-year revenue again above prior-year level
  • All four segments have contributed to growth
  • Expenditure in research and development amounted to 14.5% of revenue
  • High investment in future potential worldwide
  • The number of employees increased by 6% to more than 40,000 for the first time
Oberkochen, Germany | 16 May 2023 |  ZEISS Group

The ZEISS Group's stable, double-digit growth continued across all four ZEISS segments in the first half of fiscal year 2022/23 (ended 31 March 2023). Half-year revenue reached 4,836 million euros (up 18% on prior year) – at 917 million euros, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) was also above the good level of the prior year (up 181 million euros on prior year). Expenditure on research and development increased again and reached 14.5% (of revenue), and the number of employees increased by 6% to 41,259 globally.

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

Business development and key figures

Segment development

1st six months of 2022/23 Revenue (in million euros)
1st six months of 2021/22 Revenue (in million euros)
Difference (adjusted for currency effects) Revenue (in million euros)

Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology

1,656

1,170

+41% (+41%)

Industrial Quality & Research

1,139

1,056

+8% (+7%)

Medical Technology*

1,175

1,057

+11% (+10%)

Consumer Markets

796

770

+3% (+2%)

* Not identical to the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group

All four ZEISS segments contributed to the growth in the first half of fiscal year 2022/23. The on-going challenging geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions are having a varying impact on the strategic business units. The importance of resilient and diversified supply chains continues to grow.

In the first half of this fiscal year, the direct-to-market segments recorded a positive development in orders which exceeded the previous year's. This is due to the continuing high demand for ZEISS products and solutions. The Medical Technology segment achieved very good half-year revenue, with the two strategic business units, Microsurgery and Ophthalmology, contributing to this growth. The Industrial Quality & Research segment also continued its good growth dynamic in the first two quarters of the current fiscal year. The Industrial Quality Solutions and Research Microscopy Solutions strategic business units both contributed to this. The Consumer Markets segment generated solid growth in revenue in the first half of 2022/23, with a slightly improved, although challenging, market situation. Despite the current slowdown in the semiconductor market, the high demand for the products of the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment remains unchanged and has a significant impact on the strong growth in revenue in this area.

The regions contributed to the continued growth trajectory to varying degrees. The EMEA region improved its growth in revenue, and the AMERICAS and APAC regions also continued their growth in revenue.

Dr. Christian Müller, CFO of Carl Zeiss AG
ZEISS

The expenditure for research and development amounted to 14.5% of revenue (702 million euros) in the first half of 2022/23. This is a new high. The company's equity increased to 7,460 million euros (30 September 2022: 7,173 million euros), and the equity ratio was 56%. Investments in property, plant and equipment totaled 569 million euros.

"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.

At the end of this first half year, the ZEISS workforce exceeded 41,259 employees (as of 31 March 2023), up 6% on the start of the fiscal year and totaling over 40,000 globally for the first time.

Dr. Karl Lamprecht, President & CEO of Carl Zeiss AG
ZEISS

Outlook

Due to the uncertain geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, it remains difficult to assess how the global economic situation will unfold.
"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," said Lamprecht.

Press contact Jörg Nitschke

Head of Corporate Brand, Communications and Public Affairs
ZEISS Group

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling 8.8 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets (status: 30 September 2022).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 13 percent of its revenue in research and development – this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future.

With over 40,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in almost 50 countries with around 30 production sites, 60 sales and service companies and 27 research and development facilities (status: 31 March 2023). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

Press Photos

  • Dr. Karl Lamprecht

    CEO of Carl Zeiss AG

    File size: 2 MB
  • Dr. Christian Müller

    Chief Financial Officer of the ZEISS Group

    File size: 2 MB
  • ZEISS Group Oberkochen

    File size: 10 MB