Olympus is one of the world’s largest and best known suppliers of microscope and analysis systems to medical laboratories. Resources and strengths that were previously distributed across Europe will now come together as a single high-capacity, ultra modern unit at the new research centre and its production facility. Furthermore, ambitious development plans will create around 100 new jobs over the next two years.

Commitment to a promising location
“I welcome Olympus’ decision to strengthen its presence here with us – it is an investment in the future. The fact that Munich was able to come out on top in the face of national and international competition reaffirms the desirability of the state of Bavaria and its capital city as one of the world’s leading locations for high-tech”, said Erwin Huber, Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs. “Germany needs companies with the courage and strength to undertake new and groundbreaking work. The opening of the new competence centre in Munich is a very positive indication for us all”, added Dagmar Wöhrl, Parliamentary Secretary of State at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

Olympus’ close contact with universities and research facilities in and around Munich and the area’s high concentration of well-educated people were decisive factors in selecting the city. For example, the Grosshadern Clinic – with whom Olympus works closely – lies in the immediate vicinity of the new site.

Utilise synergies, integrate strengths
Olympus has been successfully developing its Life Science operations in Europe for many years. With an average growth rate of 15.8 percent in Microscopy and 10.4 percent in Diagnostics over the past four years, the company is one of two European market leaders in Microscopy and Clinical Chemistry. Research, development and production in the areas of Molecular Diagnostics, Laboratory Automation and a portion of Digital Image Processing in the Microscopy area will be brought together under one integrated creative and scientific facility at Olympus’ new competence centre. The consolidation of these very successful business areas facilitates more efficient organisation of administrative structures and a better use of resources. “We’re bringing highly-skilled employees from various specialist divisions together under one roof. This creates an interdisciplinary work atmosphere that will benefit all divisions. In this sense, we’re optimally prepared to meet the demands of both customers and society in the future by offering them reliable products and services. Olympus sees itself as a pioneer in the development of tomorrow’s medicine and clinics. In addition to early detection, we are working towards the individualisation of illness prevention, analysis, therapy and follow-up treatment”, said Dr. Helmut Köhler, Executive Managing Director of Olympus Life Science Europa GmbH and Olympus Life Science Research Europa GmbH. He continued: “Our investment in Munich establishes the ideal conditions for the further success of the Life Science Microscopy and Diagnostics business areas. It also allows us to expand into Molecular Biology and Diagnostics”.

Business areas at the new research and development centre:
Molecular Biology and Diagnostics, e.g. molecular analysis (DNA, RNA) of single cells
Laboratory Automation and applications for Clinical Chemistry and Immunology for In Vitro Diagnostics
Imaging Solutions for Microscopy, e.g. research and analysis of living cells

Above (from left to right): Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, President of Olympus Corporation in Tokyo, Dagmar Wöhrl, Parliamentary Secretary of State at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, Dr. Helmut Köhler, Executive Managing Director of Olympus Life Science Europa GmbH and Olympus Life Science Research Europa GmbH and Erwin Huber, Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs.

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