JV Zeiss BelOMO Ltd.

German-Belarusian JV Zeiss BelOMO Ltd. has celebrated its 6th anniversary in 2001. Despite the fact that the enterprise is relatively young, it has occupied solid position in the production structure of "Karl Zeiss" - world technological leader in the sphere of optics, precision mechanics, electronic visualization systems, medical techniques. The most important aim is assimilation of new products and technology.
 

JV members are:

- "S.I.Vavilov plant" - head enterprise of BelOMO, with 40% quota in charter capital

- "Karl Zeiss" GmbH, Germany, with 60% quota in charter capital.

The charter capital of JV is fully formed in amount of 2,75 mln USD.

The necessity of structural transformation in the new market conditions made the authority of the Belarusian Optic-Mechanic enterprise develop new production lines. Lack of own means for big investments, impossibility to get the needed financial help during transformation period from the Government, reduction of state orders, specifics of the product demanded the active process of looking for new investors and realization of joint ventures foundation projects.

"Karl Zeiss" GmbH interested in broadening of production output and assimilation of new markets expressed its intention to found a joint venture.

Authorities of Belarusian Optic-Mechanic enterprise and "Karl Zeiss" GmbH decided to found a joint venture, which was able to make competitive production.

It allowed to:

1. provide BelOMO with organizational and technological experience for solving problems, emerging due to new market conditions

2. provide the training of technical and administrative specialists

3. increase employment as a result of cooperation with Byelorussian Optic-Mechanic enterprise

4. provide the general production culture

5. reduce the volume of necessary financial help from the state

6. attract more foreign investments in the Republic of Belarus due to a participation in the foundation of the JV of a firm with well-known name.

In 2001 "Karl Zeiss" enterprise will celebrate its 155 anniversary. Already in the beginning of the 20-th century Russia was one of the most important markets for the firm, in 1903 in St. Petersburg the first bureau of "Karl Zeiss" was opened . The enterprise did influence on the formation of the optic industry in the former USSR. Thousands of microscopes, oftalmological devices, hundreds of operational microscopes, colposcopes are used in health services in the countries of CIS.

Recently many enterprises from the USA and Germany joined "Karl Zeiss" group. This allowed to broaden the production nomenclature in the field of medicine.

"Karl Zeiss" has some 28% of microscopes sales, 35% of medical optic devices, 25% of optic semiconductors industry. Problems of distribution are solved by 35 own organizations, and more than 100 representatives in the world, including 12 in the CIS states.

Every year "Karl Zeiss" spends some 10% of capital turnover on research and development.

Address: 23, Makaenka St., Minsk, 220839, Republic of Belarus

Tel./Fax: (375 17) 211-8001

belomo@belomo.by

http://www.belomo.by/