OBERKOCHEN, Germany—The Zeiss Group, based here, ended fiscal year 2020/21 ending Sept. 30, 2021 with €7.529 billion in revenue, the highest revenue in its 175-year history. This represents a 20 percent increase compared to the prior year. Over 90 percent of this sum was generated in markets outside Germany, Zeiss said in a statement. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) also achieved a new high, reaching €1.479 billion versus €922 million the prior year. The EBIT margin was 20 percent.

Incoming orders increased to €8.974 billion compared with €6.814 billion the year before. At the end of the reporting period on Sept. 30, 2021, net liquidity totaled €2.120 billion.
 
"2021 is a very special year for Zeiss. 175 years ago, Carl Zeiss laid the foundations for a company that has grown into a technology leader and proves time and again that it can push the limits of what is technically feasible. We are of course particularly delighted to have achieved record results once again in our anniversary year," said Dr. Karl Lamprecht, Zeiss president and CEO.
 
"While there is certainly room to improve in a number of areas, double-digit growth across all four Zeiss segments demonstrates that we are on the right path thanks to our balanced portfolio and our Zeiss Agenda. Upwards of 35,000 employees, a high capacity for innovation, as well as excellently aligned segments and all regions contribute to this growth."
 
All four Zeiss business segments—Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Products—achieved double-digit revenue growth, Zeiss said. The Medical Technology segment revenue rose to €1,951 billion, up 18 percent, or 22 percent adjusted for currency effects, despite a considerable increase in its turnover despite a fraught situation in its supply chain. The segment benefitted from strong growth in recurring revenues like consumables, implants and services in ophthalmology. Microsurgery sales also continued to recover. At the end of the fiscal year innovations were unveiled for cataract and refractive laser surgery and for digitalization.
 
The Consumer Markets segment has recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, generating €1,394 billion, up 27 percent, or 30 percent adjusted for currency effects. In ophthalmology, innovations related to Zeiss branded lenses in particular, as well as digital products and services and rising purchasing power in emerging countries, all contributed to this growth.
 
Zeiss reported revenue growth in the Americas and APAC regions in particular, as well as in the EMEA region.
 
Dr. Christian Muller, chief financial officer of Carl Zeiss AG, said that the company is ramping up its sustainability efforts. “Five different working groups are focusing on topics like green infrastructure, green business models and social engagement in a bid to achieve outcomes that are both far-reaching and sustainable," said Muller. He added that the company aims to operate in a carbon-neutral way in its own activities worldwide by 2025.
 
Zeiss said it expects to see a moderate rise in revenue for fiscal year 2021/22, with an EBIT yield that remains significantly over 10 percent.