OBERKOCHEN/Germany, STUTTGART/Germany—In the 2016/17 fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2017), Zeiss reported a record increase in revenue and earnings. Revenue rose by 10 percent to €5.348 billion, up from €4.881 billion in the prior year. At €770 million, earnings before interest and tax were significantly above the already high level €615 million in the previous year. The company’s EBIT margin increased to over 14 percent. Order intake grew by 12 percent, to €5.625 billion.

“All four segments—Research & Quality Technology, Medical Technology, Vision Care/Consumer Products and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology—are either at or above their target returns and have made a positive contribution to the most successful fiscal year in the history of Zeiss,” said Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke, president & CEO of Carl Zeiss AG, at the company’s annual press conference in Stuttgart on Tuesday.

“This development was not and is not just a matter of course. Rather, it is the result of the tremendous efforts made by all employees and partners over a long period of time. The consistent implementation of the strategic agenda has now made a real impact and significantly increased competitiveness. Thanks to investments in cutting-edge Innovation and Customer Centers, global partnerships and strategic expansions, we have focused entirely on the needs of our customers," said Kaschke.

Zeiss posted a 2 percent gain in its Vision Care/Consumer Products business, which generated revenue of €1,108. With Zeiss brand eyeglass lenses, the Vision Care/Consumer Products segment is growing slightly faster than the market, with sustained positive growth in eyeglass lens sales, notably in Brazil and China, the company noted.

Revenue for Zeiss’s Medical Technology business, which includes Carl Zeiss Meditec, grew 11 percent to €1,427.