Carl Zeiss was a German optician born in 1816. He was one of the co founders of the Carl Zeiss Company, which manufactures optical systems, industrial measurements and medical devices. It was originally founded in Jena in 1846 by Zeiss, Ernst Abbe and Otto Schott. Due to the results of World War II the company formed two Ziess enterprises; the Carl Zeiss AG located in Oberkochen and the Carl Zeiss GmbH located in the foundation city Jena. However, in 1990 the two companies joined to form a single company again.

The organisation is today a global leader in the optical and optoelectronic industries. Their mission is to enable science and technology to go beyond what man can see. They lead the market in the majority of fields they compete in, offering a wide variety of leading-edge solutions and products for Semiconductor and Optoelectronic Technology, Life Sciences and Health Care, Eye Care, and Industrial Solutions.

The fields that are most important to Zeiss strategically include Biosciences and Medical Technology, System Solutions for Industry, and Optical Consumer Goods. Their range of products includes camera/cine lenses, display technologies, eyeglasses, industrial metrology, microscopy, ophthalmology, planetariums, semiconductor, spectral sensors, sports optics, and surgical products.

Carl Zeiss is a leading manufacturer in all that they do. They provide leading manufacturers in their fields with the components they require. The name 'Carl Zeiss' has developed into an extraordinary seal of quality. So the name 'Carl Zeiss' has developed into a competitive advantage for any manufacturer. Some of the brands you might recognise that are in partnership with Zeiss include Sony, Oracle, Pentax, and Seiko.