A great stage for a great team: as our employees stand fully behind PHOTONIC according to the latest survey results and authentically convey our culture to the outside world, we have had not just one, but two reasons to celebrate.

Christian Czech, Christoph Isopp, Anne Killmeyer, Martin Kiryakov and Ingo Wiest from PHOTONIC, together with Claudia Reiterer, HR Manager of the WILD Group, recently experienced the joy of seeing their own team put the company in the spotlight at the Ariana in Vienna. As part of the “Great Place to Work® For All™ Stars Night”, we were honoured for the third consecutive year as one of the Best Workplaces™ Austria in the company category XS. As an additional highlight, PHOTONIC also received the prestigious Best Employer Branding Award 2026.

What makes us a “Great Place to Work®”: values in everyday life

While this extraordinary evening still resonates, we reflect on the many small everyday moments that made this success possible. PHOTONIC’s top ratings as an employer are largely due to the people who shape our working environment.

• Strong team spirit (96% approval): When things get intense just before project completion, nobody here loses their cool. We support one another – that is what defines our team spirit.
• Sense of purpose (91% focus): Our employees know that their work delivers real technological added value for our customers.
• A lived culture of learning from mistakes rather than assigning blame: Innovation requires courage. When something does not work straight away, we do not look for someone to blame, but for sustainable solutions. This keeps us at the technological forefront.

Authentic employer branding: real, unfiltered and approachable

Our HR success formula is actually quite simple: “Our employer branding is neither loud nor overly polished. There is no large agency behind it, nor a huge budget. It is simply genuine and carried by our entire team,” emphasise Anne Killmeyer and Claudia Reiterer. Through every professional exchange and every shared success, our colleagues make the world of PHOTONIC tangible to the outside – far beyond the communications department.

Room for innovation and outstanding performance

For Managing Director Stefan Zotter, this repeated recognition is clear confirmation that PHOTONIC creates an environment in which our team can deliver outstanding performance. “We give our employees the freedom to develop their ideas. They are given a lot of responsibility, which they repay us with extra motivation. I am particularly pleased that they are all proud of their company and describe their work as meaningful.  This, in turn, guarantees full focus on our customers and great commitment to their projects.”

A big thank you goes to the entire team in Vienna and to all employees who make PHOTONIC a GreatPlaceToWork® every single day.

Those who use their resources more efficiently survive longer, and not just in nature. The WILD Group‘s special ”FAST TRACK Value Engineering“ approach perfects this principle of the intelligent evolution of products: A targeted purge of processes helps create high-tech solutions that make economic sense and boost performance.

Today, global competition pressure is like a surgical knife relentlessly carving away at the manufacturers‘ profit margins. Be it in industrial engineering, optics or medical technology, those opting for overengineering will ultimately lose out in dynamic markets.

But how can you reduce manufacturing costs without jeopardising quality and safety? A closer look at the WILD Group‘s work approach reveals that the trick is to think in terms of assembly parts, not functions, i.e. those that are really needed.

THE WILD DIFFERENCE: FAST-TRACKING TRANSDISCIPLINARITY
”What fundamentally distinguishes us from others in the area of value engineering is our rejection of isolated optimisation attempts. While many companies regard value analysis as a lengthy internal project, we take a consistent interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach“, says Michael Reissig, Head of Development at WILD. Orchestrated processes not only connect  internal experts but also bring customers and suppliers directly to the table.

This approach thrives on genuine team work and a holistic nature: Only when all requirements – from development through manufacturing to procurement – are shared in a transparent manner will a common understanding emerge across all the Group‘s divisions. Communication is the decisive key for radically questioning functions and exploiting all available potential.

In collaboration with VMN value manager Manfred Ninaus, WILD condensed the classic 10-step work plan into a highly efficient workshop format – a benchmark-setting method known as ”FAST TRACK Value Engineering“. Since WILD is itself a manufacturer, feedback from assembly and production flows directly into the design. This approach simultaneously bundles all competencies in the shortest possible time – from the choice of technology and production-ready design to material selection. This results in integrated concepts free of lengthy feedback loops.

DIGITAL INTELLIGENCE INSTEAD OF EXCEL CHAOS
An decisive success factor is the unique VMCoach© software platform. “Collaboration drives cost effectiveness” is the credo of this digital tool, which brings together all core methods of value engineering. ”VMCoach© is a genuine game changer: Our software also uses AI functions in function analysis and idea generation, which dramatically boosts performance“, stresses Manfred Ninaus. This massively reduces the workshop effort while increasing the achievable cost savings. ”Our platform allows us to intentionally ignore restrictions at the start, thus revealing potential often hidden in conventional processes. The more freedom given to all those involved, the greater the potential success.“

THE BIGGEST LEVERS
Experience has shown that the most significant cost savings do not come from cheaper small parts but rather through radical rethinking in construction design. WILD focuses on a targeted qualification of customer requirements to avoid expensive overengineering. Additional levers include strategic shifts in materials, consistent strategies for carry-over parts, and a production-ready design in collaboration with suppliers. The objective is always a functionally brilliant, yet economically optimised product.

NUMBERS THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES: SUCCESS STORIES
The latest product successes are a testimony to the effectiveness of this approach. Together with semiconductor specialist FormFactor, WILD was able to identify a 25% cost-down potential for a microscope with a minimal workshop effort already during the concept stage. This was achieved above all through a successful reverse engineering of purchased assemblies, a huge reduction in the number of individual parts in the superstructure, and a simplification of the housing cover, despite an attractive design.

”From projects like this we have learned that one should not impose too narrow constraints at the beginning of the value engineering process. Ultimately, the more freedom and assurance you give to the transdisciplinary project team to use it, the greater the potential success“, stresses Stefan Werkl, Head of Sales Optical Technologies. This is also attested by Enrico Wöhe, Head of Technical Procurement at FormFactor: ”The cooperation with WILD and its partners was very positive. Our project  expectations were even exceeded by their professional approach.“

OPTIMISATION FOR EXISTING PRODUCTS
In an ideal scenario, value engineering begins at the same time as product development. Reality, however, often presents a different picture: Customers approach WILD with products that have performance issues already on the market, or with finished prototypes that need to go into serial production at competitive prices. VMCoach© delivers particularly efficient support here: it reads part cost lists and product information without any effort, develops cost-down scenarios and tracks according to a parts index – until the products are fully competitive again.

The AAO in Orlando is seen as a worldwide barometer for innovations in ophthalmology. Franz Aigner, Medical Technology Head of Sales at WILD, was there to assess the latest developments.

What impressions do you bring back from the US?
Franz Aigner: “Opthalmology is more dynamic than ever. We are particularly proud of having been directly involved in the creation of various products and assemblies on display there. WILD enjoys a reputation of being an expert among key players. Be it in retina tomographs (OCT), digital phoropters, or accurately positionable stands, our experience from successfully implemented product series gives us a technological edge that benefits customers in the form of faster market maturity and cost efficiency.”

Which trends are dominating the industry?
“The biggest game changer is AI. When it comes to imaging, e.g. in the case of OCTs or fundus photography, AI can sometimes analyse retina images more precisely than experts. Robotics will also have a massive impact on surgical precision in the future, though much of that is still in a development stage. In addition, western providers are increasingly focusing on high-end quality to set themselves apart from their Asian competitors, e.g. through extremely high resolutions and faster image acquisition.”

Which point-of-care developments were evident at the fair?
“Handheld and wearable devices for initial analysis at the optician or in primary care centres must become more robust without losing precision. Since WILD covers optics, mechanics and electronics technologies, we are the ideal partner for these compact all-in-one solutions. Moreover, optics must always be calibrated before delivery. Should those fine adjustments suffer during transport, manufacturers will need expensive specialists on site to recalibrate those devices. We develop products that are so stable, however, that they can survive transport unscathed and can be immediately put into operation without significant effort.”

Since 2025, new import tariffs are weighing on the US market. How are customers reacting to that?
”Due to the tariffs, but also due to bureaucracy and high energy costs in Europe, many European customers are thinking of establishing production sites in the US, at least for individual components. For them, our FDA certification is a key argument.  Those who want to be successful in this important market need partners who can deal with the regulatory requirements. In addition, we are currently increasing our support for our customers through value analysis projects to help them save additional costs in other areas.“

The results of the Great Place to Work® survey conducted in February 2026 are clear: PHOTONIC ranks among Austria’s top employers, scoring highest in terms of identification and purpose, team spirit and innovative strength.

When 97% of the employees confirm in an anonymous survey that ‘All in all, this is a very good place to work,’ this is not a marketing result, but proof of a genuine corporate culture. The fact that this quality also stands up to international comparison is confirmed by the award from the Great Place to Work® Institute. The direct comparison with other companies is particularly impressive: in many key categories, PHOTONIC is well above the benchmark of the so-called ‘Best Workplaces Austria’.

Identification and purpose: More than just a job

In addition to top scores in the areas of responsibility and fairness, one result stands out in particular: 91% of our employees see their work as more than just a job – they find it meaningful and significant. This identification with their own tasks is the basis for our daily excellence. It is the awareness of working on technologically relevant solutions that has a lasting impact on motivation at PHOTONIC.

Innovation at PHOTONIC: Why we embrace an open feedback culture

Another key factor in our technological leadership is our growing innovative strength. This is based on a climate of trust: at PHOTONIC, we firmly believe that we can progress faster by learning from our mistakes together.

Team spirit and solidarity

With a team spirit rating of 96%, the survey confirms what we experience every day in our offices and laboratories: we are one team. This unity is the foundation on which we realise complex projects for our customers – even under time pressure and in stressful situations.

Our goal: space for personal development

The Great Place To Work® award is a visible sign that we create a framework in which our team can deliver excellent performance. We give our employees the freedom to develop their ideas. They are given a lot of responsibility, which they repay us with extra motivation. ‘I am particularly pleased that they are all proud of their company and describe their work as meaningful. This in turn guarantees full focus on our customers and great commitment to their projects,’ says Managing Director Stefan Zotter, delighted with the above-average positive ratings.

Would you like to become part of this culture? Discover current career opportunities at PHOTONIC.

Already a reality in flexible endoscopy, multi-spectral lighting could revolutionise tomorrow‘s operating theatres. PHOTONIC contributes the necessary development know-how and manufacturing expertise to actively shape this change.

So far, the application of multispectral lighting has been limited to diagnostic endoscopy, especially to gastroscopy and colonoscopy, using flexible endoscopes. With this technology, which is currently available only in high-end systems, it is possible to highlight vascular structures with greater contrast, render subepithelial vessels visible, improve the detection of bleeding and penetrate into deeper tissue layers.

In contrast, surgical endoscopy overwhelmingly relies on white light, which can be supported or replaced by near-infrared light in certain stages of surgery. Meanwhile, this method has been established as the gold standard. Yet PHOTONIC firmly believes that this restriction to a dual spectrum has an expiry date. ”Applying the principle of multispectral lighting from diagnostics to surgical endoscopy as an addition to established procedures opens completely new opportunities in intraoperative visualisation“, says Business Developer Ingo Wiest. This can enhance the rendering of blood vessels and structures during surgery, further improving safety and precision in operating theatres.

Why is PHOTONIC already capable of venturing into this with potential customers? Because the company possesses the necessary knowledge, experience and clearly structured processes – from spectral analysis and the selection of suitable emitters and filters through optical design to prototyping and tests in its in-house laboratory. Up to 7-channel concepts have been developed here, flexibly combining LED and diode lasers.

During development, PHOTONIC simulates optical paths using raytracing, integrates digital twins of optical components and optimises imaging quality, stability and beam profile. An iterative control circuit with sensitivity and tolerance analyses ensures that critical parameters are stabilised and solutions are continuously fine-tuned. The result are state-of-the-art systems, which are at the same time designed to meet exact parameters like space, interfaces or costs. Moreover, having secured FDA registration for all its manufacturing sites, PHOTONIC also meets all regulatory requirements to implement projects for the US market.

A STEP AHEAD
Wiest points out to another major advantage: the company‘s close partnership with renowned manufacturers. ”We get samples of the latest light sources before they officially reach the market. This secures a decisive headstart, allowing us to get our customers‘ products ready for the market much faster.“

Innovative spectroscopes collect complex information in real time – any time and everywhere. This paves the way to completely new applications. By working together with WILD, customers can be sure their ideas will result in a precise, robust product that is ready for serial production, regardless of its intended use.

What used to be reserved for laboratories can now fit in any jacket pocket: miniaturised spectroscopic systems are opening up completely new fields of application for quick, precise and cost-efficient analyses in everyday scenarios. Already today, consumers can use their smartphone to measure the humidity of their skin, winegrowers can check the maturity of their grapes directly in the vineyard, and compact breath analysis devices will soon be able to detect signs of disease like diabetes. This is made possible by new sensor principles, intelligent software and miniaturised optical components that are rapidly expanding the limits of what is technically feasible.

For a quick time to market for these powerful spectroscopic systems, however, you also need a development and manufacturing partner who can contribute in-depth knowledge in the optics, mechanics and electronics. Thanks to its close cooperation with research centre Silicon Austria Labs (SAL), the WILD Group can offer even more: together, the two can identify cutting-edge technologies early, develop customised solutions and get products ready for the market in the shortest time possible.

INDUSTRY DIVERSITY MEETS TECHNOLOGICAL DEPTH
”Our core expertise lies in optics, which is in turn at the heart of every spectroscopy application – be it UV-VIS, emission, fluorescence, IR or NIR spectroscopy. What distinguishes these analysis methods is their wavelength. Therefore, each system requires precisely adjusted light sources, optical filters and detectors. Thanks to our longstanding experience, we have become experts in the composition and selection of these factors and components – always keeping an eye on an efficient transition to serial production and device design“, explains Martina Trinkel from Business Development at the WILD Group. Especially when requirements for tightness, resistance to temperature, robustness and precision are very strict, WILD plays to its strength of enormous experience, as numerous reference examples demonstrate.

FROM GOODS RECEIPT TO RECYCLING
For instance, the stable optomechanical design of an NIR spectrograph co-developed and manufactured by WILD ensures that the device can be used directly in the process line at sorting facilities. ”Our optical components, such as diffraction grating, imaging optics for the camera and custom-made mechanical components can easily withstand dust, vibrations and temperature variations of up to 50 degrees,“ stresses Stefan Werkl, Head of Business Unit Optical Technologies at WILD GmbH.

WILD can also contribute its expertise when it comes to the development and manufacturing of mobile VIS and NIR measuring instruments. For a customer specialising in mobile spectroscopy systems for industrial and agricultural applications, WILD integrated its innovative sensor system into a portable handheld system.

In the metals industry, optical emission spectrometers from a longstanding WILD customer and market leader in industrial measurement technology and laboratory equipment are used to reliably analyse steels and alloys such as aluminium, nickel or copper. From raw material through goods receipt to recycling: these spark spectrometers guarantee quality in each phase, even in safety-critical applications or 3D-printed metal components. In addition, they are essential for cost control, risk minimisation and productivity.

PARTNERSHIP WITH SAL IS AN ENGINE OF INNOVATION
Thomas Ladstätter, Senior Business Development Manager for sensor systems at Silicon Austria Labs, sees a lot of potential in the future, especially in miniaturisation. ”The combination of integrated optical microsystems and AI-enabled data evaluation opens completely new possibilities. Therefore, a research focus at SAL is on non-linear spectroscopic methods that demonstrate a significantly higher sensitivity to molecular details, while allowing for the measurement of ultrafast processes with high temporal resolution. Medical technology applications, e.g. in cancer diagnosis or label-free pathology, and even in food analysis or environmental monitoring, can massively benefit from this“, Ladstätter insists.

Moreover, he believes miniaturisation has a positive impact on costs. ”Especially in personalised medicine, applications currently reserved to laboratories will become feasible in the future. Compact spectral engines integrated into portable devices can also yield benefits in the detection of hazardous chemical or biological substances. This is an important topic in view of the current challenges in European security policy“, adds Ladstätter.

For the second year in a row, the lighting specialist is ranked among the Top 10 Best Workplaces™ in Austria. In addition, PHOTONIC was one of only five companies to receive the Best Employer Branding Award 2025 for particularly effective and authentic initiatives to enhance employer attractiveness.

“The fact that we are among the Top 10 employers in the category XS for the second year in a row and have now also been honored with the Best Employer Branding Award makes me incredibly proud,” emphasizes PHOTONIC Managing Director Stefan Zotter. “It shows that we are not only on the right path internally but also present ourselves convincingly as an employer brand. We place great importance on ensuring that everyone feels valued here – this builds trust, unity, and motivation.”

The award is proof that the entire PHOTONIC team lives a strong corporate culture. The prize is based on an anonymous employee survey that covers five dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and team spirit. Once again this year, PHOTONIC received particularly positive ratings in all areas. For example, 97% of respondents agreed with the statements “We have fun at work” and “I believe I can make an important contribution here.”

PHOTONIC’s strong team spirit is also successfully communicated externally, as evidenced by the Best Employer Branding Award 2025. Anne Killmeyer, responsible for marketing, is especially pleased about this honour: “Employer branding works best when it comes from genuine collaboration. That’s why this award is a wonderful confirmation that our communication truly brings PHOTONIC’s values to life – not just internally, but also for applicants and external partners.”

PHOTONIC was represented by a strong team at the award ceremony: In addition to Martin Kiryakov (Lead Project Manager Sales and Works Council) and Christian Czech (Account Manager / Internal Sales), Ingo Wiest (Business Development), Tobias Mrachacz (SCM Launch Manager), and Anne Killmeyer (Marketing & Management Assistant) attended the event and celebrated the repeated success together.

Fotocredits: © leadersnet / Gabriel Rizar & PHOTONIC

All 30 ‘PHOTONICers’ took part in the latest Great Place to Work® employee survey and once again voted their company a top employer with excellent ratings.

A culture of trust, appreciation and open dialogue – all this makes PHOTONIC a popular employer. The latest Great Place to Work® employee survey shows that this is not just a subjective feeling: All 30 ‘PHOTONICers’ rated the company – and the results speak for themselves. 100% of the employees confirm that they have a very good workplace.

The survey particularly emphasises the positive error culture, the open and clear communication, the atmosphere of trust and the mutual support – aspects that are essential for a strong corporate culture. This creates an environment in which employees feel valued and listened to. ‘This renewed exceptionally good result for our company makes us proud and confirms that our employees greatly appreciate our outstanding workplace culture,’ says PHOTONIC Managing Director Stefan Zotter, delighted with the successful recertification.

The PHOTONIC team also praised the support of a co-operative working environment in which ideas are exchanged and innovative solutions are developed together. This contributes to the personal development of each individual and strengthens the company’s success.  Working on medical technology projects is seen as particularly meaningful, as the solutions they provide create real added value for people’s health and well-being.

Would you also like to get started at PHOTONIC? Then take a look at our vacancies and become part of our team: https://www.photonic.at/en/company/career/