Changes to Carl Zeiss Vision Advisory Committee
Dr. Norbert Gorny, member of the Executive Committee at Carl Zeiss AG since 2001, will move to Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH October 1, 2006.
As CEO, he will manage the world's second largest producer of ophthalmic lenses, and takes over from Jeremy Bishop, the company's CEO since its setting-up in March 2005.
Carl Zeiss Vision results from a merger between Carl Zeiss Ophthalmic Lens Division and SOLA International Inc. Carl Zeiss Vision ownership is divided equally between Carl Zeiss AG and EQT, the Swedish private investment company.
Under Jeremy Bishop's management, the merger of the two companies was successful and in the first six months of this financial year, Carl Zeiss Vision recorded an income of 426 million euros, with an increase of over 10% compared to the previous year. At the same time, the company's market share increased in almost all regions.
Dr. Norbert Gorny joined Carl Zeiss in 1998, after almost five years as a commercial consultant at McKinsey & Co., Inc.. At Carl Zeiss he was Head of the Microscopy Division before being promoted to Executive Vice-President of the Microscopy Business Group.
He has been a member of the Carl Zeiss Group Executive Committee since January 2001. In this role, Dr. Gorny also supervised the Optronics and Photo Divisions, as well as the company's production departments. The European sales subsidiaries also reported to Dr. Gorny.
Also starting October 1, 2006, pursuant to the agreement with the shareholders, Dr. Michael Kaschke, member of the Carl Zeiss AG Executive Committee, will resign from his position as Chairman of the Carl Zeiss Vision Advisory Committee and will become Vice-Chairman of the company. His position will be taken by the current Vice-Chairman and previous Executive Director of ABB, Sune Karlsson.
At the end of his office as CEO, Jeremy Bishop will join the Carl Zeiss Vision Advisory Committee. Dr. Dieter Kurz, CEO of CZ AG, will also join the Committee in the place of Dr. Norbert Gorny when the latter becomes the new CEO of the company.
Commenting on the company's future, Dr. Gorny said: 'This change in the leadership once again emphasizes our commitment to serving our customers in the most professional way. This will not only guarantee the consistency of our strategy, but Carl Zeiss Vision will continue to be a sound commercial partner with a unique range of products and services, thanks to more than 75 sales offices and prescription laboratories throughout the world'.
