100 years innovation Heerbrugg

(Heerbrugg, Switzerland, 26 April 2021) 100 years of success are an occasion for joy, for looking back, for looking forward, and also for celebrating. On 26 April 1921 the "Heinrich Wild, Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Optik" was founded in Heerbrugg. The exciting history of the company is characterised by change and persistence, and from these beginnings, Leica Geosystems AG has become an essential building block of the Hexagon technology group. 

The Heerbrugg innovation factory is a symbol of the roots and the foundation stone for the continuation of this success story. Therefore, today we are proud to recognise these "100 years of innovation in Heerbrugg" in a series of events and publications. Over the course of the 100 years, not only has the Heerbrugg location developed further with new sensor and software technologies and business models, the global organisations have become stronger and stronger.  

The exciting history of the company illustrates the special achievements and outstanding developments. From challenging beginnings – jointly mastered by Heinrich Wild (the inventor), Jacob Schmidheiny (the financier) and Robert Helbling (the practitioner) – to countless product innovations for surveyors and related customer groups all over the world. Heinrich Wild described this irrepressible drive for innovation in the 1930s as follows: "The greatest incentive and at the same time the greatest encouragement is competition from oneself." 

The changes in the markets over 100 years have always been successfully met by innovation. Capturing the real world accurately and experiencing the digital world has been and continues to remain our purpose and surveying remains core in our DNA. Our 100 years of passion for surveying demonstrate our ability to deliver precise and accurate instruments, sophisticated software, and trusted services to those shaping the future of our world. Please find further details about our surveying solutions at: https://leica-geosystems.com/industries/pure-surveying. 

From the evolution of theodolites to total stations, and even the miniaturisation of laser scanners for practical everyday use, all our innovations aim to increase productivity, improve workflows, and provide richer valuable deliverables. 

"As contemporary witnesses, we have been able to experience and shape part of the company's history ourselves," emphasises Thomas Harring, CEO, Leica Geosystems and President Geosystems Division, Hexagon, "Particularly in high-tech companies, current successes are always built on the achievements of predecessors. This is one of the reasons why we can honour many unforgettable people and moments this year. We would like to thank our employees, our suppliers and the many long-standing partners from industry, science, politics and administration who have accompanied us along the way and are mastering the future together with us. We would especially like to thank our customers, who have placed their trust in us for 100 years and encourage us again and again to grow together with them and jointly shape technological change.” 

Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right 
Revolutionising the world of measurement and survey for 200 years, Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, creates complete solutions for professionals across the planet. Known for premium products and innovative solution development, professionals in a diverse mix of industries, such as aerospace and defence, safety and security, construction, and manufacturing, trust Leica Geosystems for all their geospatial needs. With precise and accurate instruments, sophisticated software, and trusted services, Leica Geosystems delivers value every day to those shaping the future of our world. 

Hexagon 
Hexagon is a global leader in sensor, software and autonomous solutions. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, and quality across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, safety, and mobility applications. Our technologies are shaping urban and production ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous — ensuring a scalable, sustainable future. 

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 21,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of 3.8bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB. 

For further information, please contact: 

Leica Geosystems AG 
Silvia Núñez 
Phone: +41 71 727 3452 
silvia.nunez@hexagon.com 
www.leica-geosystems.com