The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that Carl Zeiss Optronics USA Inc. (ZeO USA) will locate its U.S. corporate headquarters in Wake Forest, N.C.

“Carl Zeiss Optronics USA is exactly the type of corporate citizen that North Carolina is looking to attract,” Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Don Stroud said. “Our community is pleased that the Zeiss Corporation recognized all that Wake Forest has to offer and the Chamber is proud to have played an integral role in bringing Zeiss to Wake Forest. Moreover, we are thankful to our Town Mayor and Town Manager for their significant and invaluable leadership and support throughout the entire process.”

Headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany, Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH is a member of the Carl Zeiss Group. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of advanced optronic, optical and precision engineered products for military and civilian applications. These include border surveillance, space technology and reconnaissance on land, water and from the air.

“We welcome Carl Zeiss Optronics USA to Wake Forest, NC and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship in the future,” Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones said. “I am very pleased and proud of the efforts of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development group to bring Carl Zeiss Optronics USA Inc. to Wake Forest. And, I recognize and appreciate the joint efforts of our partners, NC Department of Commerce, NC Military Foundation, NC Military Business Center, Wake County Economic Development, North Carolina State University, and the Research Triangle Regional Partnership.'

Carl Zeiss Optronics USA has partnered with Wake Forest-based 3 Phoenix to provide optical systems for the Department of Defense.

“Carl Zeiss Optronics USA, Inc.’s decision to locate in North Carolina is a significant development for our statewide defense industry, and will be a critical pillar to growing our capabilities in military and homeland security surveillance and reconnaissance technologies and products,” said Gov. Bev Perdue in a statement released by the NC Military Foundation. “This is further proof that North Carolina is the desired location for defense industry technology companies.”