Post by Materion Balzers Optics

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐮𝐦 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬: 𝐀 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟎–𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟗) The years after 1990 were marked by turbulence and transformation. A global recession brought declining sales and difficult restructuring measures. With leaner structures, a streamlined product portfolio, and the mindset of our people, we managed to find our way back onto stable ground. 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 During these two decades, Balzers became part of larger groups, carrying names such as Balzers & Leybold, Unaxis, and later Oerlikon. Each step mirrored the broader changes in the high-tech industry at that time – globalization, new technologies, and shifting strategies. For the people at Balzers, it meant integration in new structures, while continuing to push the limits of thin-film technology. When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Oerlikon decided to concentrate on its core businesses and sold the optics activities in Balzers. 𝐀 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 The following year, a management buy-out together with local investors brought back independency and led back to the foundation principals of Optics Balzers AG as a standalone company. For the first time in decades, the focus was fully back on coated optics and assemblies. This step opened the door to new opportunities and allowed us to concentrate on what defines us: coated optical components and assemblies for demanding markets such as medical technology, sensor systems, automotive, and space. Every decade shaped who we are today – and the story continues. This is part three of our history series leading up to our 80th anniversary in 2026. More chapters will follow. #MaterionBalzersOptics #80Years #CompanyHistory #ThinFilmJourney #OpticalCoatings #Innovation #History #Balzers