60 years of innovations and technological milestones in industrial automation

The electronics division of the Leuze Group was created in 1963. In 2023, the international sensor specialist will celebrate its 60th anniversary. Today, more than 1,600 "Sensor People" worldwide are creating the innovations of tomorrow: sensor and safety solutions in automation technology.

Who would have thought that the fragile seedling "electronic," as a new division of the Leuze Group, would become the technology and world market leader in optical sensors? In 2023, Leuze will celebrate not only record growth, but also its 60th anniversary.

Family business with a long tradition

The start of the electronics division in 1963 was not the beginning of the Leuze company's history: it goes all the way back to the 17th century, in Eningen/Achalm near Reutlingen, southern Germany. Years later, when mechanical looms increasingly supplanted hand weaving and cotton replaced local linen, the Leuze family took textile production into their own hands. "In the Lenninger Tal in 1861, our ancestors found exactly the conditions needed to build a mechanical cotton weaving and spinning mill," says Helmut Leuze, shareholder of the Leuze Group. A renowned textile company was built on this foundation, which for generations successfully withstood all the perils of the times and continued to develop.

1963: birth year of Leuze electronic

To respond to fundamental changes, additional activities in other areas were started early on. This led to the founding of Leuze electronic in 1963. Today, Leuze is an international specialist in sensors and a leading innovator in the field of industrial automation. Together with more than 1,600 employees worldwide - the Sensor People - the fifth generation now ensures the further development of the family business with entrepreneurial courage and passion. Curious and determined, and knowledgeably open to new technologies, they are working on the innovations of tomorrow.

"Success is always a joint effort. This understanding of values is the basis and prerequisite for the constant further development of our family business. Through the energetic commitment of our employees and their often long-standing loyalty to our company, we have succeeded in giving our company its current essential status." With these words, Christof Leuze, shareholder and former director of Leuze electronic, thanks all Leuze employees.

The fourth generation of Leuze and founders of Leuze electronic GmbH + Co. KG in 1963: Helmut and Christof Leuze.

Ambitious growth targets

In 2022, Leuze realized sales of 322 million euros (2021: 258 million euros). This corresponds to a sales increase of around 25 percent. Also for the future, the family-owned company sets ambitious growth targets and continues to invest in decentralized structures, as well as in its Sensor People and in new talent.

With curiosity and perseverance, Leuze's Sensor People have been creating innovations and technological milestones in industrial automation for 60 years. Their drive is the success of their customers. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. The high-tech portfolio of this leading technology company includes a multitude of different sensors for automation technology. For example, switching and measuring sensors, identification systems, solutions for data transmission and image processing. Another focus of Leuze as a Safety Expert is on components, services and solutions for occupational safety. Leuze concentrates on its focus industries, where the Sensor People have in-depth specific application know-how and many years of experience. These include the areas of intralogistics and packaging industry, machine tools, automotive industry and laboratory automation. 

Leuze was founded in 1963 at its headquarters in Owen/Teck, southern Germany. Today there are more than 1,600 Sensor People worldwide, who with determination and passion for progress and change ensure that customers are always successful within a constantly changing industry. Within the technical competence centers or within one of the 21 subsidiary companies, supported by more than 40 international distributors.