PZO

PZO (Polskie Zakłady Optyczne) is a Polish optical manufacturer founded in 1921 in Warsaw by a group of industrialists including Kazimierz Mieszczański, Georg Cor, Karol Hercyk, and Henryk Kolberg. It was established on the basis of an optical instrument factory founded in 1899 and originally named Fabryka Aparatów Optycznych i Precyzyjnych H. Kolberg i s-ka. The company grew rapidly, aided by a military order for 1,000 binoculars from the Third Department of Artillery and Armament of the Ministry of Military Affairs. In June 1926 it purchased land and buildings at 316 Grochowska Street, where it had previously manufactured snuffboxes. During the economic crisis of 1930–1931, French shareholders acquired a majority stake and changed the name to Polskie Zakłady Optyczne S.A. During World War II, Zeiss-Jena took control of the plant; production was interrupted in mid-1944, and the Germans removed machinery and destroyed buildings. In 1951, a decision by the Ministry of Heavy Industry allowed the plant to expand and introduce new products, which were successfully exported to the West. Until the 1980s, PZO manufactured a range of precision optical products such as microscopes, surveying instruments, binoculars, magnifiers, and projectors, as well as equipment for the military needs of the Warsaw Pact. With the incorporation of Warszawskie Zakłady Fotooptyczne in the late 1960s, PZO also took over the production of photographic cameras and accessories. The changes of 1989 led to a decline in the company's activity, mainly in armament production and state-funded organizational units. On 2 November 1995, the state enterprise PZO was transformed into a single-shareholder company of the State Treasury. On 14 May 1996, the Ministry of Property Transformation contributed PZO S.A. shares to the National Investment Fund. Currently, PZO consists of several subsidiaries of Polskie Zakłady Optyczne Sp. z o.o. (the abbreviated name PZO Sp. z o.o. may be used). The subsidiary PZO Mikroskopy i Wyroby Optyczne Sp. z o.o. manufactures optical equipment for civil use. Production still takes place on the same site. Some of the disused pre-war halls have been sold to developers to be converted into lofts. The main PZO company ceased its civil production (including workshop microscopes and interference plates) around 2010 and now produces only military optics. In 1970, a PZO branch was established in Rzeszów. Initially, the idea was to build four buildings at 4 Zwierzyniecka Street to house the Polish Optical Center. Construction of only one building, originally intended as an administrative building, was completed. In the late 1980s, PZO in Rzeszów employed over 500 people. The company manufactured individual optical components for PZO and also assembled simple optical devices. In 1992, PZO in Rzeszów separated from its parent company in Warsaw and took the name Optores. In 1993 it was privatized and in 1997 liquidated. In 1997, a new company was created in Rzeszów based on the human potential and machines: Optica sp. z o.o., which changed its name to B&M Optik Sp. z o.o. in 2002. PZO is known in Western Europe especially for its Krokus enlargers. The company's official website states that it is a manufacturer of a wide spectrum of military products and also offers specialized products for the civil market, continuously providing optical and mechanical services and ensuring service and access to spare parts for its equipment used by, among others, the Polish Army.

PZO (Polskie Zakłady Optyczne) was founded in 1921 in Warsaw by a group of industrialists: Kazimierz Mieszczański, Georg Cor, Karol Hercyk, Henryk Kolberg and others. It was created on the basis of an optical instrument factory established in 1899 and originally named Fabryka Aparatów Optycznych i Precyzyjnych H. Kolberg i s-ka. The company's rapid growth was influenced by an order for 1,000 binoculars placed by the Third Department of Artillery and Armament of the Ministry of Military Affairs. In June 1926, the company purchased land and buildings at 316 Grochowska Street, where it had previously manufactured snuffboxes. The years 1930–1931 were difficult for the company due to the economic crisis in Poland. It was then that French shareholders acquired a majority stake and changed the company's name to Polskie Zakłady Optyczne S.A. During World War II, Zeiss-Jena took control of the plant. In mid-1944, due to the rapid approach of the front, production was interrupted. Later, the Germans removed the machines and equipment and burned and blew up the buildings. In 1951, a decision by the Ministry of Heavy Industry allowed the plant to be expanded and new products to be introduced, which were successfully exported to the West. Until the 1980s, PZO manufactured a range of precision optical products such as microscopes, surveying instruments, binoculars, magnifiers and projectors. Equipment for the military needs of the Warsaw Pact was also manufactured. With the incorporation of Warszawskie Zakłady Fotooptyczne at the end of the 1960s, PZO also took over the production of photographic cameras and accessories. The changes that occurred in 1989 led to a decrease in the company's activity, mainly in armament production and state-budget-funded organizational units. On 2 November 1995, the state enterprise PZO was transformed into a single-shareholder company of the State Treasury. On 14 May 1996, the Ministry of Property Transformation contributed the shares of PZO S.A. to the National Investment Fund. Currently, PZO consists of several subsidiaries of Polskie Zakłady Optyczne Sp. z o.o. (the abbreviated name PZO Sp. z o.o. may be used). The subsidiary PZO Mikroskopy i Wyroby Optyczne Sp. z o.o. manufactures optical equipment for civil use. Production still takes place on the same site. Some of the disused pre-war halls have been sold to developers to be converted into lofts. The main PZO company ceased its civil production (including workshop microscopes and interference plates) around 2010 and now produces only military optics. In 1970, a PZO branch was established in Rzeszów. Initially, the idea was to build four buildings at 4 Zwierzyniecka Street to house the Polish Optical Center. Construction of only one building, which was originally to be an administrative building, was completed. In the late 1980s, PZO in Rzeszów employed over 500 people. The company manufactured individual optical components for PZO. It also handled the assembly of simple optical devices. In 1992, PZO in Rzeszów separated from its parent company in Warsaw and took the name Optores. In 1993 it was privatized and in 1997 it was liquidated. In 1997, a new company was created in Rzeszów based on the human potential and machines: Optica sp. z o.o., which changed its name to B&M Optik Sp. z o.o. in 2002.

• 2010

  Main PZO company ceases civil production, focuses on military optics.

• 1996

  Shares contributed to the National Investment Fund.

• 1995

  State enterprise transformed into single-shareholder company of the State Treasury.

• 1992

  Rzeszów branch separates and becomes Optores.

• 1970

  PZO branch established in Rzeszów.

• 1951

  Ministry of Heavy Industry decision allows expansion and new products for export.

• 1930

  French shareholders acquire majority stake; name changed to Polskie Zakłady Optyczne S.A.

• 1926

  Company purchases land and buildings at 316 Grochowska Street.

• 1921

  PZO founded in Warsaw by a group of industrialists.

• 1899

  Optical instrument factory H. Kolberg i s-ka established, later basis for PZO.

Polish precision optical manufacturer with a heritage in both civil and military optics, now focused on military products and specialized civil optical equipment.

• Krokus enlargers

  Known in Western Europe, models include Krokus 3 Color, Krokus 44 Color, Krokus 66 Color SL.

• Biolar microscopes

  Microscopes with original Pluta interference contrast device.

• Photographic cameras

  Models include Start (I, B, II, 66, 66S), Fenix (I, Ib, II), Druh, Alfa (1 and 2).

• Slide projectors

  Models include Narcyz, Diapol, Diapol Automat, Krokus TF, Krokus AF.

• Military optics

  Wide spectrum of military products for the Polish Army and Warsaw Pact.

1. 1Polskie Zakłady Optyczne Sp. z o.o. Warszawapzo.warszawa.pl
2. 2PZOwikidata.org
3. 3Polskie Zakłady Optycznefr.wikipedia.org