Shaping the Future Through Innovation

Based in Germany with subsidiaries in the UK and the US, Zoller + Fröhlich is represented worldwide through a global network of local partners in 40 different nations. Founded in 1963, the company initially concentrated on the design and implementation of individual control systems in the automobile engineering sector. The manufacturing of switch cabinets demanded simplification in the wiring of control systems, which was resolved by the invention of ferrules with plastic sleeves. Thanks to a constant process of development and innovation, the first machines for the manufacturing of crimp contacts and cable assembly were born.

In the 1990s, Zoller + Fröhlich started exploring laser measurement technology, developing the first laser system for measuring rail track and tunnels which was followed in 1996 by the first ‘visual 3D laser measurement system for assessing the condition of objects'. In 2002, Z+F launched its IMAGER 5003 as the very first compact device produced in series, and in 2006 followed up with the market-leading Z+F IMAGER 5006 offering a fully implemented, stand-alone concept. Further developments continued to evolve, resulting in more leading-edge technology with the IMAGER 5006i and 5006h in 2008. In tandem with this, the company set the standard in hazardous environment scanning by introducing the IMAGER 5006EX with ATEX certification. In 2010, backed by almost 20 years of experience in developing the finest laser scanner instruments, the company rose to the challenge of defining a new reference of complete eye-safety and phase-based high-speed scanning with the Z+F IMAGER 5010. In 2011, Z+F presented its new PROFILER 9000 at Intergeo in Germany. The PROFILER 9000 is a high-end measuring device for kinematic operation. With 200 rps rotation speed and the unbeaten IMAGER 5010´s measurement rate, it is an extremely powerful device for professional profiling applications.

Innovation is tradition

Z+F has been developing high-end measuring devices since the early 1990s. It is a steadily growing, family owned company with currently more than 200 employees. Innovative minds have always been nurtured, resulting in future-oriented products. The company is built around the principles of ‘Innovative products for innovative markets' and ‘Shaping the future together', and this is directly reflected by the impressive number of patents and awards. The organisation places particular importance on close cooperation with customers and partners, and has built a reputation for offering personal customer care and highly skilled technical support. Moreover, Z+F is committed to providing customers with sophisticated, high-quality products to their full satisfaction.

Growing market

In recent years, global developments have shown that 3D laser scanning is beneficial for an increasing number of applications and that project costs can be reduced significantly by using 3D laser scanning technology. Z+F pays particular attention to the sectors of archaeology, architecture, cultural heritage, forestry, forensic science and industry. Thanks to their technical specifications, the latest Z+F products find applications, in an even broader range of fields, such as marine technology. The pace of innovation in the international laser scanning market has been consistently high in recent years, as demonstrated by significant improvements in the accuracy, robustness and user-friendliness of measuring devices. In addition, workflows and 3D laser scanning software have also seen massive improvements such as, for instance, the Z+F LaserControl software packages. Worldwide, Z+F is represented in 40 countries, providing daily service and support on a global level. Naturally, the company is very export-oriented and, beyond serving the national engineering and surveying markets in Germany, UK and the US, is focused on the international market for high-end measurement devices.

Aiming high

Z+F counts itself among the market leaders in laser scanning technology, with launches of highly innovative products such as the only totally eye-safe, phase-based laser scanner, the Z+F IMAGER 5010, making it one of the key players in the industry. In order to maintain its current market position, Z+F intends to continue with its high level of investment into research and development for both laser scanning hardware and software. Moreover, the company listens closely to its customers' requirements and strives to improve the whole product range in an end-user-oriented way. To ensure the continuing high quality of its measuring devices, Z+F GmbH completed its new production and R&D facility in Wangen (Germany) in 2009, which has already led to tangible benefits in the latest LaserControl software releases. In the company's opinion, laser scanning has now evolved from the adoption phase to the early majority phase, and it expects turnover in the laser scanning market, having levelled off in 2009 due to the global financial crisis, to continue to grow in the years ahead. The aim of the Z+F group is to increase its turnover and revenue above the rate of average market growth, to create greater awareness of the Z+F brands, and to increase its market share.