Our Story
1986—2026
What started in Munich in 1986 with the ambition to make innovative laser and photonics technologies accessible to a broad range of customers has grown into a European organisation connecting technologies, expertise and people across borders.
Four decades later, technologies have changed, markets have evolved and Laser 2000 has grown. One thing has remained: our curiosity about what photonics can make possible.
Explore 40 Years of Laser 2000
Four Decades of Connecting Photonics
Photonics has changed enormously since 1986—and so has Laser 2000. Here are some of the milestones that shaped who we are today.
It Starts with Light.
Armin Luft founds Laser 2000 with the ambition to make innovative laser and photonics technologies accessible to a broad range of customers.
Making Room for More.
Laser 2000 moves into its own headquarters in Wessling/Oberpfaffenhofen — with offices, warehousing, application facilities, showrooms and training spaces.
Getting Closer to Our Customers.
New subsidiaries and locations in France, the UK, Switzerland and the Benelux transform Laser 2000 from a German specialist into an increasingly European photonics partner.
Reaching New Milestones.
Laser 2000 passes €50 million in revenue and grows to around 100 employees. In 2016, the company celebrates its 30th anniversary and founder Armin Luft is appointed Senator of the German Senate of Economy.
Building for the Future.
Gimv joins Laser 2000 as majority investor, creating a new foundation for continued growth and European expansion.
Becoming a European System Partner for Photonics.
A new subsidiary in Italy and sales offices across Europe strengthen Laser 2000's decentralised European presence. In 2026, we celebrate 40 years of connecting technologies, expertise and people across the photonics industry.
A Lot Has Changed in 40 Years.
And some things haven’t.
The technologies have evolved—and so has our role. Today, we combine application expertise, technologies and services to support customers throughout their projects.
What hasn’t changed is our ambition to understand new technologies and make them accessible to our customers.
40 Years. Countless Memories.
When Laser 2000 moved into its Wessling headquarters, the new facilities already included application areas, showrooms and dedicated spaces for training.
Sharing technical expertise has been part of our approach for decades.
European by Design. Local by Nature.
What began in Munich has grown into a European organisation with local teams close to our customers.
Today, our colleagues connect expertise across countries, technologies and applications — combining local relationships with the knowledge and resources of a broader European organisation.
Forty years of Laser 2000 would not have been possible without the people behind them — our colleagues, customers and technology partners.
Our Company Structure
A Strong Foundation for Long-Term Development
Since 2018, Gimv has been the majority investor in Laser 2000, supporting the company’s continued development and European expansion.
Together with our management and teams across Europe, we continue to develop Laser 2000 with a long-term perspective.
The Next Chapter Starts Now.
Forty years are a reason to look back—but even more importantly, they’re a foundation for what comes next.
New technologies. New applications. New partnerships. New challenges to solve.
And the same curiosity that has driven us since 1986.
Here’s to the next 40 years of Connecting Photonics.
40 Years. Countless Memories.
When Laser 2000 moved into its Wessling headquarters, the new facilities already included application areas, showrooms and dedicated spaces for training.
Sharing technical expertise has been part of our approach for decades.