Maximilian Foerst, president of ZEISS Greater China and Member of the Board [Photo/WeChat account: waigaoqiaowindows]

Renowned German lens company Zeiss will increase investment in China and expand the Chinese market over the next two years, according to Maximilian Foerst, president and managing director of Zeiss China.

The German company has taken root in China and cultivated the Chinese market for the past 64 years. The huge spillover effect of China's reform and opening-up has brought great opportunities to the company.

Zeiss entered China in 1957, and the Chinese market has become the company's largest market after 64 years of development. 

"Over the past 20 years, our number of employees has risen from 1,000 to 4,000, and business revenue has seen double-digit growth for 10 consecutive years," said Foerst.

"China is not only a sales market and manufacturing base for Zeiss, but also an integral part of our global business," said Foerst.

In 2014, Zeiss opened its first factory in China; in 2015, the group set up its China headquarters in Pudong; in 2019, the Zeiss China New Customer Center was established in the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. The development history of Zeiss Group in China has showcased China's contributions to foreign companies since the country's accession to the World Trade Organization two decades ago. 

Having been with Zeiss Group for more than 25 years, Foerst has spent over 12 years in China. He spoke highly of China's continuous efforts in bettering the investment environment, strengthening protection of intellectual property rights, improving the effectiveness of governments, and making policies more transparent. 

"The ever-improving business environment and opening market have boosted our confidence and morale in the Chinese market," said Foerst.

Zeiss Group will invest another 300 million yuan ($47.15 million) in the Chinese market to expand local operations, strengthen research and development capabilities, enhance the resilience of supply chains, and set up more joint ventures in a bid to increase the group's competitiveness in the Chinese market.

"We are striving to improve by sticking to innovation-driven development, and 12 percent of our business revenue has gone into research and development every year," according to Foerst.

Zeiss set up its innovation and development center in Shanghai in 2012, which has helped the group provide tailored services to Chinese consumers, and keep working on new technologies to solve more emerging problems.

Supported by the innovation and development center in Shanghai, Zeiss has developed more than 10 innovative products and obtained 53 intellectual property rights and 16 invention patents.

"China is not only a global hub for technology and innovation, but a benchmark for turning good ideas and good innovation into real benefits," added Foerst.