[Leica] URL: WSJ on Leica

[red735i at verizon.net (Frank Filippone)]

On the subject of Leica subsidiaries, and holdings.....

>From WIKI.... Leica Camera AG (pronounced [?la?ka]),[3] a German optics 
>company, manufactures Leica cameras. The predecessor of the company, 
>formerly known as Ernst Leitz GmbH, is now three companies: Leica Camera 
>AG, Leica Geosystems AG, and Leica Microsystems GmbH, which manufacture 
>cameras, geosurvey equipment, and microscopes, respectively. Leica 
>Microsystems AG owns the Leica brand and licences the sister companies to 
>use it.

In 1986, the Leitz company changed its name to Leica (LEItz CAmera), due to 
the strength of the Leica brand. At this time, Leica moved its factory from 
Wetzlar to the nearby town of Solms. In 1996 Leica Camera separated from the 
Leica Group and became a publicly held company. In 1998 the Leica group 
split into two independent units: Leica Microsystems and Leica Geosystems.

On November 26, 2013, Leica Camera AG announced the conclusion of a takeover 
process of the Swiss Sinar Photography AG. Both companies agreed not to 
disclose the details of the merger. Sinar Photography AG possesses product 
portfolio of large format 4" x 5" to 8" x 10" etc. cameras, lenses and 
shutter systems. Leica Camera AG announced the take over on their Facebook 
page.
  
Leica Geosystems....
The brand Leica, better known for its high quality[2] cameras, was formed on 
2 April 1990 after the merger of several companies. The company was listed 
on the Swiss stock exchange until the 7 August 2006 which saw the 
cancellation of all publicly held registered shares in Leica Geosystems 
Holdings Ltd and delisting of all listed registered shares of a par value of 
CHF 50.[3]

It merged with the optical firm of Ernst Leitz of Wetzlar in 1987, acquired 
a majority interest in Kern in 1988, was renamed Wild Leitz AG in 1989, and 
became part of the Leica holding company in 1990. Starting in 1996, the 
company was divided gradually into smaller units. Thus in 1996, Leica Camera 
AG was founded, followed in October 1997 by Leica Geosystems AG, and on 
April 1, 1998 by Leica Microsystems AG. The Swedish company Hexagon AB 
purchased Leica Geosystems in late 2005.

Leica Microsystems
Leica Microsystems emerged in 1997 as one of three successor companies of 
Ernst Leitz GmbH founded in 1869. It has been a subsidiary of Danaher since 
2005

While I am no expert on European corporate institutions, it seems like I 
stand corrected... the Geosystems and Microsystems seems to not be part of 
the present Leica operation..... nor its owners.

It means that IF there were profits to spread around from one division to 
another, to develop new products, that possibility is not active. 

Frank Filippone
Red735i at verizon.net