FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 23, 2009   

CONTACT: Meg Ryan O’Donnell

919-755-3804 / Meg@capresults.net                                   

RALEIGH – Today, the N.C. Military Foundation announced that Carl Zeiss Optronics USA Inc. (ZeO USA) will locate its U.S. corporate headquarters in Wake Forest, N.C.   The facility will serve as ZeO USA’s base of operations to provide products for the U.S. defense industry.  Rick Miller, President & CEO and Rex Luzader, VP Business Development will lead a core group of executives and engineering staff. 

“Carl Zeiss Optronics USA, Inc.’s decision to locate in North Carolina is a significant development for our statewide defense industry, and will be a critical pillar to growing our capabilities in military and homeland security surveillance and reconnaissance technologies and products,” said Gov. Bev Perdue.   “This is further proof that North Carolina is the desired location for defense industry technology companies.”

ZeO USA, a subsidiary of Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH, will provide its world-class optronics products in support of the U.S. military, homeland defense and law enforcement communities. The company will partner with the Foundation, private industry, N.C.-based universities and defense-oriented business support organizations to pursue research and development and supply contracts for the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies. 

“The Foundation’s strategy for growing North Carolina’s defense economy is working,” said General Buck Kernan, USA, (ret.), Foundation Chair.  “Carl Zeiss produces world-class products used by defense agencies all over the world.  Their decision to locate their USA headquarters in North Carolina speaks volumes about the tremendous business opportunities they see in our state.” 

ZeO USA is partnered with Wake Forest-based 3 Phoenix to provide optical systems for the Department of Defense. This partnership and North Carolina’s proximity to major military installations, pre-eminent research and development and talent pipeline stemming from a statewide system of colleges and universities, and quality of life attracted ZeO USA to the state. 

 “We are proud to be able to establish our corporate offices close to our partner 3Phoenix in order to move forward with our program to provide optical systems to the Department of Defense.  I would like to thank the State of North Carolina, the leadership in Wake Forest, and all other partners for their outstanding cooperation in supporting our efforts. We are looking forward to a successful and long-lasting relationship as we expand our presence in the future,” said Rick Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Carl Zeiss Optronics USA Inc.

“We welcome Carl Zeiss Optronics USA to Wake Forest, NC and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship in the future,” said Mayor Vivian Jones, Town of Wake Forest.  “I am very pleased and proud of the efforts of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development group to bring Carl Zeiss Optronics USA Inc. to Wake Forest. And, I recognize and appreciate the joint efforts of our partners, NC Department of Commerce, NC Military Foundation, NC Military Business Center, Wake County Economic Development, North Carolina State University, and the Research Triangle Regional Partnership.”

Headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany, Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH is a member of the Carl Zeiss Group. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of advanced optronic, optical and precision engineered products for military and civilian applications. These include border surveillance, space technology and reconnaissance on land, water and from the air. For more information visit: www.zeiss.com.

Partners that assisted with this announcement include:  the N.C. Department of Commerce, the N.C. Military Business Center, N.C. State University, the Partnership for Defense Innovation, Research Triangle Regional Partnership, Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce, Wake Forest Economic Development, and Wake County Economic Development.