GRINTECH GmbH celebrates "20+2" successful years

Micro-optics "hidden champion" gets off to a good start at the new Jena21 site

The main product of Jena-based GRINTECH GmbH is smaller than 2 millimetres - but the company's development is a typical "big" success story of the local optics industry. At the beginning of the year, the high-tech company moved from its former headquarters in the "Eulenhaus" in Jena's city center to its own new company building in the Jena21 industrial park. The start on a total of 2,500 square meters of new office and production space has been a success. On Friday, the company celebrated its "20+2" anniversary with cooperation partners, customers and neighbors.

"The start here on site was challenging, as work had to be carried out on the building in addition to the production start-up. Thanks to the commitment of the entire team and with the support of the building trades, we mastered this challenge well,"

said Managing Director Dr. Torsten Poßner on site.

"The new building has optimized our entire production, we have more space for research and development, were able to put new machines and systems into operation and, of course, create attractive premises and improved working conditions for the entire team."

A typical Jena success story

Since the turn of the millennium, the medium-sized high-tech company has been developing innovative products in the field of micro-optics, which are in demand worldwide from companies, universities and research institutes. GRINTECH GmbH started out as a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering and has established itself as the market leader in the micro-optics segment over the last two decades.

"Our current workforce of around 45 employees produces micro-optics and assembles them into miniaturized optical systems for use in optical sensor technology, biomedicine, endoscopy or telecommunications systems - applications that are in demand worldwide,"

says Co-Managing Director Dr. Bernhard Messerschmidt, describing the product range of the optics company.

Numerous guests and partners from business, science, the state and local authorities congratulated GRINTECH GmbH on its big anniversary on Friday. In addition to the Thuringian Minister of Economic Affairs, Wolfgang Tiefensee, who also mentioned the support of the state of Thuringia for the new company building in his welcoming address, the Managing Director of the Jena Economic Development Agency, Wilfried Röpke, was also delighted with the good start at the new location:

"The development of GRINTECH GmbH is a typical Jena success story: started as a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute - and from there has grown into an internationally renowned high-tech company."

According to Röpke, it is these "ambassador companies" that carry Jena's reputation as a city of light out into the world. To keep it that way, the city must continue to create optimal framework conditions.

Foundation stone for sustainable development

According to the managing director duo, these conditions include ensuring that young, well-trained people in the technical professions of optics and precision engineering as well as in the typical STEM subjects come to the city to maintain and strengthen the company's innovative strength. In addition to the excellent network of technology suppliers and research partners in Jena, reliable and attractive economic conditions are also necessary for GRINTECH's continued success.

According to Poßner, the foundation stone for this has been laid at Otto-Eppenstein-Straße 7:

"With the new building, we have laid the foundation for long-term and sustainable development. And created a place where the entire team has optimal working conditions and where creative cooperation is encouraged."

A team that has already grown since the move: six new employees have already been welcomed to GRINTECH GmbH at the new location.