The decline was mainly due to the previously planned divestment of commercial trading with digital cameras under the Praktica brand in the UK, the company said. In 2008, this business generated sales of Euro 5.3 million (US-$ 6.5 million). The reluctance of industrial companies to invest during the economic crisis also affected Schneider Kreuznach’s 2009 result.
Since the company entered early into new product segments such as 3D technology, measuring systems and LED illumination technology, CEO Dr. Josef Staub looks at the current year with optimism. To generate growth particularly in the industrial segment, Schneider Kreuznach has invested in additional sales and development capacities at its Munich (Germany) and Boston (USA) sites and established a new development function for applied technologies at its Bad Kreuznach headquarters. Schneider Kreuznach has also recently added camera lenses for motion pictures, TV and video to its portfolio.