Binoculars and riflescopes have been manufactured in Eisfeld since 1968. That year, the decision was made for the state-owned enterprise (or VEB for short) Carl Zeiss Jena to relocate this production out of Jena. After German reunification, the site was continued first by Docter-Optic-Eisfeld GmbH, then by Analytik Jena GmbH and today by NOBLEX GmbH.
The history of binoculars is inextricably linked with Carl Zeiss Jena. On 9 July 1893, German Reich Patent No. 77086 for the “double telescope with increased objective spacing” laid the foundation for binoculars as we know them today. In 1894, production of these “double telescopes” began. Two years earlier, in 1892, the first riflescope was created.
Carl Zeiss Jena played a decisive role in the subsequent rapid development of this product line. By 1900, as many as 10,000 prism binoculars had already been produced here. In 1903, the first observation telescope was introduced. In 1919, the first binoculars with wide-angle eyepieces (70-degree apparent field of view) appeared. In 1920, new riflescopes were offered for the first time with a lens erecting system for hunting shooting. As early as 1922, Zeiss presented the first riflescopes with variable magnification. In 1926, straight-through binoculars with roof-edge prisms were added. In 1936, Zeiss introduced anti-reflective optical coatings for these products for the first time, to increase light throughput, or transmission. In the 1930s and 1940s, the development of visual observation and aiming devices reached a peak, driven by the accelerated armament development of the Second World War. A very broad range of devices was offered, expanded during the war years by numerous military models. Even in this period, aspheres were used and magnesium was employed for housings.
History after 1945
In 1952, a division of VEB Carl Zeiss JENA was established in Eisfeld. Starting out with tasks as a supplier of individual parts and intermediate products, the plant developed continuously over the following years into a producer of precision-mechanical optical consumer goods and industrial products.
The state of the science was documented in the still-recognised standard work by Albert König and Horst Köhler, “Die Fernrohre und Entfernungsmesser”, published by Springer-Verlag in 1959 in its third, completely revised edition. By this time, the physical laws being applied had already been thoroughly researched and were systematically applied to new and further-developed products. Alongside improvements in detail, the technical development was characterised by an ever-better adaptation to the wishes of users and their differing requirements.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the “Werra” 35mm viewfinder camera was mass-produced in Eisfeld, with over 1 million units made. In the mid-1960s, the production of binoculars and riflescopes was relocated from the former F plant in Jena to Eisfeld, and the manufacture of optical analytical measuring instruments began.
With the fresh start after the war, the product range had been greatly streamlined and there was a focus on the proven binocular models 7x50, 10x50 and 8x30, which were produced in a combined total of up to 200,000 units per year.
From the mid-1970s onwards, more intensive work was again devoted to new developments. The straight-through binocular series with the models 8x32 and 10x40 also dates from this period. The excellent high-performance NOBILEM 8x50 and 12x50 telescopes, however, were built only for a short time because of the high costs and technical demands. In the mid-1980s, they were replaced by models of the same name that were developed on the basis of extensive concept studies. This model series was gradually supplemented by further models and variants and, in recent years, has been reworked in terms of design.
Expansion of the Eisfeld production site in the 1980s
In the 1980s, the expansion of production capacity for binoculars and analytical measuring instruments led to the development of new generations of optoelectronic measuring instruments and to the enlargement of the binocular and riflescope range through new and further developments. In doing so, the position as the largest binocular producer in Europe was consolidated and expanded. About 1,100 people worked at the Eisfeld plant, and around 300,000 binoculars and riflescopes were produced each year.
Developments after 1990
On 1 August 1991, the Eisfeld plant, with 550 employees, was continued by Mr Bernhard Docter, who gave the plant and its products his name. The company now operated on the market as Docter-Optic-Eisfeld GmbH and carried on the long tradition of manufacturing binoculars, riflescopes, spotting scopes, magnifiers and optoelectronic measuring technology.
As a recognised producer of precision-moulded aspheres, an important goal in the company’s strategy was to advance the use of aspheres in imaging optics. The first implementation took place in the eyepieces of the 8x56 riflescope and in the eyepiece of the NOTAREM straight-through binoculars. After initial difficulties, the precision-moulding process was optimised to the point where the quality required for series production was achieved. Larger quantities of aspheres were also fitted in the newly created product category of “illuminators”. Here, particular attention was paid to the battery-powered compact illuminators in particular.
Overall, the range was greatly expanded, particularly in riflescopes, which have recently been supplemented by devices with illuminated reticles. In many areas, the finish has been noticeably improved. It should not be concealed that great efforts were also made in the fields of design and technology to safeguard product quality and to keep improving it continuously.
The progress achieved in recent years in the field of visual observation and aiming devices can be seen in:
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the introduction of the centred reticle in riflescopes
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the establishment of variable-magnification riflescopes as standard models
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the consistent use of eyeglass-wearer eyepieces in all new binoculars
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the improvements in the modelling of optical systems through complex, highly optimising computer programs with sophisticated algorithms that, for about 15 years now, can also be used in direct interactive mode on a PC basis
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the use of CAD in device design and of mathematical calculation models in development
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advances in coating technology with the introduction of broadband anti-reflective coatings and of phase-correction coating on roof-edge prisms
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the broader use of (precision-moulded) aspheres in high-performance devices
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improved environmental resistance (rubber armouring, waterproofing, nitrogen filling, lead-free glasses)
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the creation of new device features such as an integrated compass in binoculars, illuminated reticles and parallax compensation in riflescopes
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or entirely new product groups, such as compact reflex sights.
On 15 November 1995, the Docter-Optic company in Wetzlar filed for bankruptcy for the entire group. The bankruptcy administration was carried out under the direction of Dr Wellensieck, as a result of which a large part of the company was sold to a consortium of companies consisting of Bosch and Hella under the leadership of Rodenstock. The Eisfeld plant continued to operate with around 230 employees under bankruptcy conditions while buyers were being sought. Throughout, the focus was always on the “big solution”, in which the company was to be sold as a whole. In total, talks were held with more than 30 interested parties. A purchase contract was concluded with the American company MMTI, but it never became legally binding because the purchase amount was not paid. On 15 April 1997, after further unsuccessful efforts, the bankruptcy administration announced the closure of the business operation in Eisfeld.
Takeover of Docter-Optic-Eisfeld GmbH by Analytik Jena
On 1 May 1997, part of the company, with a workforce of 40 employees, was continued by Analytik Jena GmbH, with which there had traditionally been good relations. Even the first year after the takeover closed with good sales and results. Through dedicated work in the marketing and sales area, the order books were well filled, and the majority of the specialist-trade and industrial partners who had been unsettled by the turmoil surrounding the DOCTER works could be won back. In the meantime, the number of employees at the Eisfeld site has grown back to over 100.
With the DOCTER product range, particular attention continues to be paid to a high level of quality, a good price-performance ratio, perfect customer benefit and balanced design. Naturally, the need for innovation in the Eisfeld products is being further driven forward through synergy effects that have now become possible. The aim is to make the model diversity of DOCTER binoculars more application-oriented. The DOCTER riflescopes for hunters that are in demand on the market are fitted with modern, high-performance optics that guarantee safe handling and high accuracy.
A site for the future
With the conversion of Analytik Jena into a public limited company on 2 June 1999 and the initial public offering carried out on 3 July 2000, the course was set—also against this backdrop—for rapid economic growth.
With the laying of the foundation stone on 27 May 2005 for a new company building in which all production areas have been brought together, important conditions were created for the future, successful work of the Eisfeld plant.
In the presence of the Thuringian Minister-President Dieter Althaus (MdL/CDU), a new Analytik Jena production centre was inaugurated in Eisfeld on 12 May 2006. The investment at the German location, stated at well over three million euros, represented a clear signal for safeguarding jobs for the more than 100 employees, board member Klaus Berka emphasised.
On 1 May 2016, NOBLEX GmbH acquired the Eisfeld site. NOBLEX GmbH was a subsidiary of the Frankfurt-based investment company VF Capital GmbH.
NOBLEX GmbH has two business divisions: the consumer goods division and the manufacturing services division. In the first division, the company specialised in the development and manufacture of optoelectronic consumer products in the high-performance optics segment. These include, for example, binoculars, reflex sights, riflescopes, lighting technology and thermal imaging technology for the premium segment. The second division is manufacturing services for various customers in the field of laboratory analysis technology. In addition to assembling complex, high-quality devices and components, turned and milled parts are also produced, and surfaces are decoratively finished through anodising or painting work.
Corona led to major loss of revenue.
The product range of the consumer goods division, for example, was systematically renewed and expanded over the past two years. Because of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the market launch of further new products was postponed. In addition, the lockdown in the most important sales markets led to considerable loss of revenue.
Restructuring
In order to restructure the company sustainably, in June 2020 the shareholders decided to make use of the protective shield proceedings under German insolvency law in order to separate the Production/Manufacturing Services and Consumer business divisions.
The production division was successfully transferred to the company Buchert + Feil as of 1 November 2020. The production and services portfolio will be continued in future, and it also remains possible to manufacture products for the consumer goods division.
As of November 2020, NOBLEX E-Optics GmbH took over significant assets of the former NOBLEX GmbH. With an efficient and highly motivated team, the new company is rising to the challenges of the optics market.
Alongside the existing range, such as the classic NOBLEX NV sight II plus or the binocular and riflescope products, NOBLEX will in future focus more strongly on “E-” electronic products in the areas of night vision, laser rangefinding and thermal imaging technology.
Service comes first for NOBLEX E-Optics and, thanks to the takeover of all spare parts, is ensured in the long term—including for the products of the DOCTER brand.