Bright ideas since 1985
Since the foundation of Z-Laser in 1985, the company stands like no other for innovation, quality and reliability in the industry. The founder, Kurt-Michael Zimmermann, focused on a strong development department already in the first years and recognized very early on that innovation leadership is the key for a successful company in the laser industry.
Our company history
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1985
Graduate industrial engineer K.-M. Zimmermann founds Z-LASER in Freiburg. The company initially specializes in the new development of laser systems for positioning assistance.
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1989
Presentation of Z-LASER at the wood trade fair LIGNA, Hanover.
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1991
Development of the 3D measuring system Vision 2000 and presentation of the first diode lasers.
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1995
Presentation of Z-LASER in India (Jaipur) at the largest stone trade fair in the country. Company founder Kurt-Micheal Zimmermann presents the company and the products.
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1997
Z-LASER presents itself in the German Pavilion of the fair in New Delhi (India).
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1998
Development of the first Z-LASER laser projector. Here still as a prototype. The laser beam is deflected by optoacoustic modulation.
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2000
Z-LASER is firmly established in the market with customizable laser systems. Z-LASER is the market-leading laser manufacturer for the textile industry, tire manufacturing, concrete and prefabricated house industry and medical technology. The demand is cross-sectoral.
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2001
Integration of the company Lasertechnik Deutschland GmbH into Z-LASER.
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2002
Development of speed-dependent power control of laser projectors, new optics, mechanical and electronic designs.
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2005
...in the Merzhauser Straße 134.
The location here offers room for growth and, thanks to direct access to public transportation, makes it very easy for employees to get here. In addition, a large parking lot is available here for visitors and employees.
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2008
Foundation of Z-LASER Italia Srl. (Milan).
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2010
Foundation of Z-LASER America Inc. (Montreal).
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2011
MIn the middle of the year, Z-LASER's own solar park was established. From now on, Z-LASER generates a significant part of its energy needs through its in-house solar plant.
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2011
Introduction of the ZQ product line.
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2012
The entire internal production processes were examined according to lean management methods and adapted to the latest international standards.
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2013
Z-FIBER, Fiber Coupled Laser Front View
- Presentation of the fiber coupled laser ZFSM / ZFMM - today Z-FIBER - Presentation of the camera and laser based measurement system Z3D-Control.
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2015
At that time Z-LASER was already working with more than 60 partners worldwide and now has about 85 employees thanks to strong growth in the OEM sector for customized laser solutions.
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2017
The workforce as well as the production volume has steadily increased, so that we have once again expanded our production area.
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2018
The laser projector ZLP1 is introduced and successfully launched on the market.
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2019
New managing director Dr. Hans Ebinger, repositioning and revision of the corporate design, installation of the company advisory board with Kurt-Michael Zimmermann, Dr. Ralf Lauterbach, Dr. rer. Nat. Dieter Pauschinger
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2020
Z-LASER celebrates its 35th anniversary.
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2022
Kiran Ramakrishnan takes over the position from Hans Ebinger. Kiran Ramakrishnan studied engineering and worked for more than two decades in executive positions at various leading companies in the semiconductor industry in Europe, Singapore and Silicon Valley before joining Z-LASER.
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35 years Z-LASER –
35 years laser, light
and passion
“I myself am quite astonished that even
35 years since the foundation of my engineering office in 1985!
With two suitcases from the Black Forest to India
When the young industrial engineer set up his own business, the main focus was on solutions using gas lasers to display cutting lines when sawing wood. As a gifted salesman, he initially traveled through the Black Forest and spoke at sawmills to sell his innovative solution for cutting wood. Later he traveled the world and presented his products internationally. An amusing anecdote from India still makes the entrepreneur smile today: “In 1995, two suitcases full of lasers and exhibition material were taken to Jaipur in India for the famous Indian stone fair; naturally with great hope for good business, because India is a major supplier of granite and marble.
The organizer had reserved me on the list, but no stand. Without further ado he made me an attraction at the exhibition and reserved the lecture tent for Z-LASER and advertised Z-LASER 4 times a day over the loudspeaker system of the whole exhibition. Also the Minister of Economy of the state of Rajasthan did not miss the opportunity to have the lasers explained in front of a running TV camera. In front of the tent a huge bunch of interested and curious Indians constantly gathered. Never again in our company history we had such a permanent onslaught of interested people.
Many wanted our laser line, but unfortunately not a single one bought. At that time I did not find that so funny!”
Z-LASER 1995 at a well-known stone fair in Jaipur, India
Future-oriented working conditions
for all employees
Early on, the young Kurt-Michael Zimmermann focused on a strong development department and on forward-looking innovation management. No less important to him was the realization of modern working conditions with flachen hierarchies, which make independent, creative work and respectful cooperation possible.
The confirmation that he had succeeded in this came during the financial crisis of 2008/09, when the fax machine stopped spitting out orders from one day to the next. The employees remained loyal to him despite short-time work and the team overcame the crisis without losses.
KMZ communicated openly, took its employees with it and was thus able to take a positive view of the company’s hardest times.
In general, the successful entrepreneur does not take himself too seriously…
…,When asked how the challenges have shifted over time, he answers:
“In the beginning, I wanted to quickly bring a saleable product to the market. The most important thing was to inspire a team that got down to work. And that is still the case today! The capital is motivated, thoughtful, well-trained and compatible employees who see themselves as the Z-LASER family.
In the past, it was a challenge to convince major suppliers such as SIEMENS to also supply us as Minifirma With the first small successes, a bank then also felt comfortable supporting us. I see today’s challenges in digitization and Industry 4.0; both will change us very much beeinflussen, change work processes and demand new product solutions.”
For more than thirty years Z-LASER has been doing pioneering work in the field of laser projectors; in 1989 Z-LASER developed the first non-contact 3D measuring system with the Fraunhofer IPM, which according to KMZ “was 10 years ahead of the world market and therefore unfortunately remained unsuccessful”.
Zimmermann Senior proudly tells what a success the introduction of the Z5 HeNe Laser was. Because this laser, which realized a 3-7 m long red line for board cutting, was established in 1987 after 2-3 years on various international markets, from Brazil to Singapore.
Or he goes into raptures when he talks about the innovative development of 2D laser projectors for CNC tables.
Broadly diversified product range
Today, the portfolio includes line lasers for positioning, laser projectors, lasers for image processing / measurement technology and OEM solutions, all of which are used in a wide variety of industries. The customers are from the food and automotive industry, medical technology, renewable energies and the trade.
Over 35 years of steady growth
Since its foundation, the company has grown to over 120 employees, generates annual sales of 19 million euros and has a branch office in Italy. Over the years, new markets have been continuously developed.
Permanently Z-LASER invests in area extensions, automated production processes and cross-functional management structures.
To face future challenges with confidence, Z-LASER 2021 is repositioning itself: Exaktera Group, a portfolio company of Union Park Capital, is acquiring a majority stake in the company. “It is rare to find an organization with a combination of deep technical knowledge, product and engineering strength, and management capabilities like Z-LASER,” said Peter McGuire, partner, and founder of Union Park Capital. “We look forward to helping the company grow and it’s great to start the journey with such a strong foundation,” McGuire continued.
Thomas Buschmann, Managing Director Z-LASER, VP/General Manager Laser Group Exaktera
On August 1, Thomas Buschmann becomes Managing Director of Z-LASER and assumes the role of VP/General Manager of the Laser Group at Exaktera.
After earning his master’s degree in biochemistry and genetics at the prestigious University of Heidelberg, where he lives with his family, Thomas Buschmann gained valuable experience and expertise in more than 25 years in the diagnostics industry.
As a leader at industry giants such as Siemens Healthineers, Leica Biosystems and Thermo Fisher, he demonstrated expertise in team development, process optimization and change management.
“It is a great honor to assume responsibility for a company with such a rich tradition of innovation and quality,” Thomas Buschmann emphasizes. He looks forward to a successful future and plans to “establish and develop Z-LASER as a major player in its market.”
But Thomas Buschmann is looking beyond Z-LASER’s borders and sees exciting opportunities in the further integration of Z-LASER and ProPhotonix into the Exaktera family. He is determined to vigorously drive Exaktera’s strategic growth, maximizing synergies between the companies to ensure lasting success.
KMZ adds: “Where yesterday the carpenter wanted a red line on his board to be sawn, today 0.01 mm wafer-thin laser lines for measuring systems are in demand.”
Currently, there are fewer and fewer professionals who have to carry out more and more different activities professionally, so that visual help/display is becoming more and more important. The photonics industry is only at the beginning of its decades of expanding development.
Z-LASER will continue to develop positively, certainly with partners in growing markets. The laser is comparable to the wheel in the stone age. Lasers will become the basis for more and more industrial manufacturing and control processes. There are always challenges and they make companies successful.
