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Swarovski binoculars are manufactured by Swarovski Optik, a division of the Swarovski group of companies, which was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, Austria. The Swarovski group was founded by Daniel Swarovski in 1895 as a crystal-cutting company and has remained a family-run business. The company's success is attributed to its innovative strength, product quality, functional and aesthetic design, and commitment to environmental sustainability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of Swarovski Group Headquarters | Absam, Tyrol, Austria |
| Year Swarovski Group was founded | 1895 |
| Swarovski Optik Headquarters | Absam, Tyrol, Austria |
| Year Swarovski Optik was founded | 1949 |
| Number of employees at Swarovski Optik factory | 960-1000 |
| Area covered by the factory | 39,000 m² (420,000 ft²) |
| Number of active parts in the product range | 9,800 |
| Number of machines used in production | 125, including 90 CNC machines |
| Percentage of products exported | 91% |
| Number of countries products are exported to | 92 |
What You'll Learn
Swarovski Optik is headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, Austria
Swarovski Optik was established by Wilhelm Swarovski, son of Daniel, who was born in 1918. In 1935, Wilhelm developed a prism fabrication and grinding process that he used in the design of his first 6x30 binocular. In 1949, he founded Swarovski Optik in Absam to produce the Habicht 7x42, which the company continues to produce today.
The Swarovski Optik factory in Absam covers an area of 39,000 m² (420,000 ft²) and employs around 1,000 people. The company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments in the premium segment of the market, including binoculars, telescopes, rifle scopes, range finders, and night sight devices.
The company's success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and aesthetic design. Environmental sustainability is key to Swarovski Optik's philosophy, and the company is committed to nature conservation projects.
The vast majority of the development and manufacturing processes for Swarovski Optik products take place at the company's main site in Absam, and this commitment to the local region will continue into the future. The staff, their expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and the unique setting have shaped the brand and its values for many decades.
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The Swarovski Group was founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski
In 1895, Swarovski moved to Wattens in Tyrol, Austria, with his business partners, financier Armand Kosmann and Franz Weis, his brother-in-law. Together, they founded the Swarovski company, originally called A. Kosmann, D. Swarovski & Co., which was later shortened to KS & Co. They established a crystal-cutting factory in Wattens to take advantage of the local hydroelectricity for the energy-intensive grinding processes that Swarovski had patented. This move revolutionised the jewellery business by creating a method for the mass production of crystals, with Swarovski's vision being to make "a diamond for everyone" by making crystals affordable.
The Swarovski Group has remained a family-run business, now in its fifth generation of family members. However, in 2022, for the first time in the company's history, senior management positions were filled by non-family members. The Swarovski Group has since expanded into three major industry areas: the Swarovski Crystal Business, Swarovski Optik, and Tyrolit.
Swarovski Optik, founded in 1949 by Wilhelm Swarovski, the son of Daniel Swarovski, manufactures optical instruments such as binoculars, telescopes, rifle scopes, and range finders. The Swarovski Crystal Business produces crystal glass, jewellery, rhinestones, watches, and accessories, while Tyrolit manufactures grinding, sawing, drilling, and dressing tools, as well as supplying machines and tools.
The Swarovski Group has a rich history spanning over 125 years and is headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, Austria. The company has a global reach, with approximately 3,000 stores in 170 countries and a revenue of about 2.7 billion euros in 2018.
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Swarovski Optik was founded in 1949 by Wilhelm Swarovski
Wilhelm Swarovski was born in 1918 and was an amateur astronomer. In 1935, at the age of 17, he developed a prism fabrication and grinding process that he used in the design of his first 6x30 binocular. With access to his father's factory, he was able to utilise the specialised glass production and finishing technologies used to manufacture jewellery stones to create his own binoculars.
In 1948 or 1949, Wilhelm founded Swarovski Optik in Absam, Tyrol, Austria, to produce and market binoculars, telescopes, and rifle scopes under the trade name "Habicht" (Hawk). The company's first serial product, the Habicht 7x42, is still produced today and is an industry standard in hunting optics.
Swarovski Optik specialises in developing and manufacturing long-range optical instruments in the premium segment of the market. Their products include binoculars, telescopes (spotting scopes), rifle scopes, range finders, and night sight devices. The company's success is attributed to its innovative strength, the quality and value of its products, and their functional and aesthetic design.
Swarovski Optik has enjoyed strong economic growth over the years, with a turnover of 163.5 million euros in 2020 and an export ratio of 91%. The company has around 1,000 employees and is committed to environmental sustainability through its environmentally friendly production practices and long-term nature conservation projects.
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Swarovski Optik's products are exported to 92 countries
Swarovski Optik, a division of the Swarovski group of companies, manufactures optical instruments. The company was founded in 1949 in Absam, Tyrol, Austria, by Wilhelm Swarovski, the son of the original founder, Daniel Swarovski.
Swarovski Optik specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments in the premium segment of the market. Its products include binoculars, telescopes (spotting scopes), rifle scopes, range finders, and night sight devices. The company's success is attributed to its innovative strength, the quality and value of its products, and their functional and aesthetic design.
Swarovski Optik's commitment to environmental sustainability and nature conservation is reflected in its production practices and long-term projects. The company has enjoyed strong economic growth, with a turnover of 163.5 million euros in 2020 and an export ratio of 91%.
The company's commitment to quality and innovation has resulted in its sport optics being sought-after by demanding hunters, birders, and outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. With its vast network and reputation for excellence, Swarovski Optik continues to be a leading exporter of optical instruments.
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The company has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability
The Swarovski Group has a long history of environmental sustainability, with principles established by its founder, Daniel Swarovski, that continue to guide the company today.
Swarovski has been committed to caring for the environment for over 125 years, driven by the pioneering principles of its founder to act as a responsible global citizen. The company has recently acknowledged that it must go further to mitigate the damage caused by human activity and lessen the worst impacts of climate change.
Swarovski has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon emissions and waste, joining the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to follow a clear path to reducing emissions. The company aims to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 47% and Scope 3 emissions by 28% by 2030, with reductions already made since 2019. To achieve these targets, Swarovski is investing in renewable energy infrastructure, introducing electrification, and encouraging suppliers to use more renewable energy in their production processes.
The company is also committed to using recycled materials and making its products more sustainable. By 2030, 50% of its products must be created in line with its Sustainable Products Guiding Principles, which include using recycled materials, ensuring products are produced efficiently and without waste, and promoting responsible use. Swarovski has also launched its Sustainable Materials Pipeline to enable its teams to work collaboratively and introduce more sustainable materials.
In addition, Swarovski is taking steps to improve its water usage and reduce chemical use in its crystal-cutting processes. Its closed-loop wastewater treatment system in its main crafting facility in Wattens, Austria, recycles 98% of water from the crystal polishing process and 88% of water from the crystal grinding process. The company is also transitioning its packaging to certified or recycled sources, aiming to make it fully recyclable by 2030.
Swarovski's commitment to environmental sustainability is further demonstrated by its support for nature conservation projects and its establishment of the Swarovski Foundation in 2013, which promotes sustainable livelihoods through education and initiatives focusing on equity, water, and creativity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Swarovski binoculars are made in Austria. The Swarovski Group was founded by Daniel Swarovski in 1895 and is headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, Austria. The company has remained a family business ever since.
The history of the Swarovski Group began in 1895 when Daniel Swarovski invented the first electric glass-grinding machine. The company was initially called A. Kosmann, D. Swarovski & Co., which was later shortened to KS & Co. In 1935, Swarovski's son, Wilhelm, created the company's first pair of binoculars. In 1949, Wilhelm founded Swarovski Optik, which is headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, Austria.
Swarovski binoculars are made at the Swarovski Optik factory in Absam, Tyrol, Austria. The company is committed to keeping all designing, manufacturing, and assembly operations for its sport optics products, including binoculars, at its Absam factory in Tyrol.
