Carl Zeiss Meditec to slash 1,000 jobs in €150M restructuring push

A struggling ophthalmology division forces Zeiss's bold overhaul. Will relocating production and axing low-margin products secure its future?

, and Administrator

2026 May 16 . 8:09 AM

1 min read

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Carl Zeiss Meditec to slash 1,000 jobs in €150M restructuring push

Carl Zeiss Meditec, a subsidiary of the German technology group Zeiss, is facing financial challenges after a drop in revenue. The company has announced plans to cut up to 1,000 jobs worldwide over the next three years. The move comes as part of a broader restructuring effort to improve profitability and reduce costs. The first half of 2026 saw weaker performance in Zeiss’s ophthalmology division and surgical microscopes segment. Overall revenue fell by 5.7% compared to the same period last year. This decline has pushed the company to take action.

Zeiss will now relocate parts of its business to lower-cost countries and phase out products with low profit margins. The restructuring is expected to cost Carl Zeiss Meditec up to €150 million. Job cuts form a key part of the plan, with up to 1,000 positions at risk globally.

The goal of these measures is to streamline operations and drive future growth. The company has stated that the changes are necessary due to weakening market conditions. The restructuring will reshape Zeiss’s workforce and product range over the next few years. The company aims to strengthen its financial position by reducing expenses and focusing on higher-margin areas. The full impact of the job cuts and cost-saving measures will become clearer as the plan rolls out.