The Latest Industry News for the Exciting World of Production.

"Customers to benefit from even better service and faster response times"

OBERKOCHEN, February 17, 2011 - Lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss has appointed the US firm Abel Cine Tech, a leading supplier of professional film and digital equipment with facilities in New York City, Burbank, California, and Chicago, Illinois, as a "Carl Zeiss Authorized Service Partner". Building on years of cooperation between the two companies, the aim of the partnership is to allow Carl Zeiss customers in the Americas to benefit from optimized customer service. In particular, the partnership will further reduce the amount of down time associated with repairs. In the future, local services will be carried out more efficiently and according to the highest quality standards.

"The appointment of a 'Carl Zeiss Authorized Service Partner' creates an important foundation for intensifying our cooperation with Abel Cine Tech," said Josef Kohnle, Director of Operations of the Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division in Oberkochen, Germany, "Our clients in America can now send their lenses directly to Abel Cine Tech for maintenance and repairs. The professional and localized customer service will guarantee quick and smooth service and increase effectiveness."

Just as for Carl Zeiss, flexibility, cost efficiency and quality are the highest priorities for Abel Cine Tech. "We're delighted with the special trust Carl Zeiss has placed in us through this official partnership," said Pete Abel, President/CEO of Abel Cine Tech. "We will use our experience and technical know-how to build awareness among Carl Zeiss customers in America for its products and to provide the outstanding performance and quality for which Carl Zeiss lenses are renowned the world over."

For Carl Zeiss, the appointment of a Carl Zeiss authorized service partner marks the next step in the expansion of its new multi-step service program, for which, in principle, every dealer and service provider active in the cinematography industry could apply and qualify. Qualification would take the form of training by Carl Zeiss partners, as well as the provision of special tools that ensure that the company could guarantee a uniform level of service for all its customers.

About Abel Cine Tech Inc.
Abel Cine Tech, established in 1989, is a leading supplier of professional film and digital equipment with facilities in New York City, Burbank, CA and Chicago, IL. Core services include equipment sales, rental and technical service, digital media services, and training. The company is the North American agent for Phantom high-speed cameras, as well as a Sony Solutions Reseller, Panasonic Specialty Reseller, Arri digital camera reseller, and the exclusive US agent for Aaton motion picture cameras.

For more information, visit Abelcine.com

About Carl Zeiss
The Carl Zeiss Group is a leading group of companies operating worldwide in the optical and opto-electronic industries. Carl Zeiss offers innovative solutions for the future-oriented markets of Medical and Research Solutions, Industrial Solutions, Eye Care and Lifestyle Products. The company develops and distributes surgical microscopes, diagnostic systems for ophthalmology, microscopes, lithography optics, industrial measuring technology, eyeglass lenses, planetarium technology, optronic products, camera and cine lenses, as well as binoculars and spotting scopes.

During fiscal year 2009/10 the group of companies generated revenues of around EUR 2.98 billion. From fiscal year 2010/11 onward, eyeglass lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss Vision will be integrated as an autonomous business group (revenues of EUR 880 million in fiscal year 2009/10). The Carl Zeiss Group now has approximately 24,000 employees, including more than 10,000 in Germany. The Carl Zeiss business groups hold leading positions in their markets.

Carl Zeiss AG is fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany.

For more information, visit Zeiss.de/photo