LEICA Barnack Berek Blog: THE OTHER COMPANIES AT LEITZ PARK

Photo by Marlies Amling

Many of the photographs of the new Leica Camera AG headquarters at Leitz Park in Wetzlar show two other buildings and many might have wondered what the companies are in such close proximity of Leica.

The building immediately to the left is Weller Feinwerktechnik and the company of Viaoptic GmbH to the left of it.

The location of these two companies so close to the Leica Camera headquarters is no accident. They are both closely connected to Leica Camera. Their Chairman of the Supervisory, Board Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, bought both companies through his capital management company ACM.

Weller Feinwerktechnik

Uwe Weller Feinwerktechnik develops designs and produces premium mechanical products in the company’s state of the art production facilities.

With their own galvanic surface technology and assembly operation, they are able to offer their clients from the strategic fields of precision optics, medical equipment and transportation sophisticated solutions from a ‘one-stop shop’.

In 1994, Uwe Weller took over Leica Camera AG’s machining division, thus laying the foundations for the company in its present form.

In 1997, the business then merged with his father’s company, Günther Weller Feinwerktechnik, which specialized in precision turned parts for the automotive supplier industry. The merged operation subsequently moved into the production facility on Wilhelm-Loh-Straße.

In 2005, the mechatronics division of Leica Microsystems in Weilburg was integrated into the business, followed in 2006 by the machining division of the Zeiss-Hensoldt Group in Wetzlar. Both operations were at that time manufacturing their products in leased premises in Wetzlar.

In early 2009, by relocating to the new facility at Am Leitz Park, the company was able to combine every manufacturing division and technology ‘under one roof’.

In May 2009, the new surface technology division began operations at the site on Wilhelm-Loh-Straße.

Uwe Weller Feinwerktechnik GmbH

Am Leitz-Park 3

35578 Wetzlar

Germany

Phone:+49 6441 90190

Viaoptic GmbH

Viaoptic is a leading supplier of plastic optical and mechanical components, technical injection molded parts and injection molding tools.

They are optimally equipped to react to customer requirements in development, tool design, injection molding, surface coating and assembly.

Viaoptic has over 30 years of experience and history. Viaoptic in its current form has been situated in Wetzlar since 2002. They moved to their brand new building «Am Leitz-Park» in the beginning of 2009, which offers greater opportunities for growth in the future.

Their customers are specialized in automotive industry, optical sensors, telecommunication, medical industry, lightning and optical industry. Their products are used in several different applications for light optics and imaging optics. Typical products include e.g. barcode scanner, LED illumination optics etc..

Viaoptic is an independent medium-sized company, supported by a broad-ranging network of partners.

Both companies are not just financially connected to Leica. They do a large amount of work for Leica camera. Especially Weller Feinwerktechnik does almost all mechanical preproduction work for Leica Camera as well as Leica Microsystems.

Viaoptic GmbH

Am Leitz-Park

35578 Wetzlar

Germany

Phone:+49 6441 90110

CW Sonderoptic GmbH

Also located at Leitz Park is CW Sonderoptic GmbH. It was founded in 2008 to design, manufacture and market Leica-branded cine lenses for film, television and commercial production. The “CW” stands for “Cine Wetzlar”, a reference to both the company’s mission and legacy.

Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, majority owner and chairman of the supervisory board of Leica Camera AG, started CW Sonderoptic to design and develop what became the Leica Summilux-C and Summicron-C cine lenses. The concept behind these lenses was originally conceived by photographer and filmmaker Christian Skrein along with Hollywood rental house owner Otto Nemenz.

The dream for the set of Leica Summilux-C lenses was for them to be the most advanced cinema lenses yet created in regards to size, performance, mechanical precision, and optical tolerance. To create such a design they brought in legendary cine lens designer Iain Neil. Together they determined the specifications and features of the lenses and began production with the first sets delivering in early 2012.

Under the guidance of Managing Directors Gerhard Baier and Erik Feichtinger, CW Sonderoptic continues to develop and manufacture new and innovative products for cinematographers all over the world.

CW Sonderoptic GmbH

Am Leitz-Park 1

35578 Wetzlar

Germany

Phone:+49 6441 90110

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