What FISBA does

FISBA AG is a Swiss precision optics and photonics manufacturer founded in 1957 and headquartered in St. Gallen, Switzerland. The company designs and manufactures custom optical components, assemblies, and systems spanning microlenses (down to 0.3 mm diameter), precision molded glass optics, plano optics, FAC/SAC collimator lenses, imaging optics, and integrated micro laser modules (READYBeam, RGBeam, READYFlow). Its vertically integrated capabilities cover the full value chain from optical design and engineering through precision molding, optical coating (ISO 7 cleanroom), metrology, and volume production. FISBA operates 6,200 m² of production space at its Swiss headquarters with annual capacity exceeding 1 million lenses and 50,000 assemblies.

The company serves four primary verticals: Medical Technology and Endoscopy (rigid and flexible endoscopes, micro cameras, surgical imaging), Life Sciences (laser modules for flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, diagnostics), Aerospace and Defense (opto-mechanical systems for surveillance, target acquisition, missile defense), and Industrial Manufacturing (FAC/SAC lenses for industrial laser systems, machine vision, LiDAR). FISBA holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016 (medical devices), and AS9100D certifications, with ITAR, DDTC, and CMMC Level 2 compliance for North American operations. The customer base consists of enterprise OEMs engaged through build-to-print, build-to-spec, and build-to-idea project models with custom pricing.

FISBA distributes globally through wholly owned subsidiaries in Berlin (Germany, since 1998), Tucson/Saco USA (since 2014, expanded 2024), and Shanghai (China, since 2020), supplemented by channel partners in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and India. With 360+ employees from 30 nations, the company is privately held by the Fischbacher family and led by CEO Christian Zellweger as of 2026. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The business model is enterprise field sales with project-based revenue across custom component manufacturing, standard laser module platforms, and integrated imaging system development for regulated end markets.

Name

FISBA

Legal name

FISBA AG

Website

https://fisba.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

FISBA AG is a Swiss precision optics manufacturer founded in 1957 that designs and produces custom optical components, micro laser modules, and imaging systems for medical technology, life sciences, aerospace & defense, and industrial laser OEMs through vertically integrated manufacturing across four global locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Optical Components

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Optics & Laser/Light Engine Components (Lenses, Galvos, Laser Modules, UV Engines) (IMAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF), Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL), Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

Keywords

• Precision optical components
• Photonics manufacturing
• Micro lens systems
• Laser beam optics
• Optical assemblies

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Optical Components & Assemblies: FISBA designs and manufactures precision optics including custom lenses, multi-element systems, rod lenses, plano optics, and advanced optical assemblies. Revenue is generated through build-to-print, build-to-spec, and build-to-idea engagements, primarily as custom project-based work rather than catalog products.
2. Laser & Illumination Modules: Laser modules (READYBeam, RGBeam) and illumination solutions for life sciences and medical applications. Includes the READYFlow beam shaping platform for flow cytometry. Revenue from both standard product platforms and customized module development.
3. Imaging & Vision Systems: Custom optical subassemblies and system components for demanding defense and medical applications. Includes micro-camera modules, custom endoscopic systems, and integrated sensor systems. Revenue from complex system development through volume production.
4. Fast Axis Collimator (FAC) & Slow Axis Collimator (SAC) Lenses: High-volume production of FAC and SAC lenses for industrial laser systems. Focused on large-quantity manufacturing with competitive pricing through highly automated in-house processes.
5. Precision Molding Services: Precision glass molding for aspherical lenses in volume quantities for imaging systems and laser beam shaping. Serves medical technology, defense, and industrial vision markets.
6. Optical Coating Services: Application of functional optical coatings (AR, mirrors, beam splitters, filters, polarization coatings, black chrome) as part of the component manufacturing process and potentially as standalone service.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FISBA manufactures precision optical components, sub-assemblies, and fully integrated photonic systems for OEM customers. Its portfolio spans fast-axis and slow-axis collimator lenses, precision molded glass optics, plano optics, micro-optics for imaging, complete imaging and vision modules (e.g., FISCam), and compact micro-laser modules (READYBeam, RGBeam, READYFlow), including customized optical systems engineered to customer specifications.

Product overview

FISBA is a Swiss photonics company that designs and manufactures precision optical components, assemblies, and systems, offering a portfolio of both standard and fully customized products. The core portfolio includes Fast Axis Collimator Lenses (FACs) and Slow Axis Collimator Lenses (SACs) for laser diode collimation, Precision Molded Glass Optics (double-sided aspheres and acylindrical lens arrays), Plano Optics (prisms, mirrors, wedges), Micro Lenses for Imaging Systems (including rod lenses down to 0.3 mm), Imaging Optics, Laser Optics, and Imaging & Vision Systems. These components are available both as standalone products and integrated into higher-level assemblies and Customized Optical Systems. The micro laser module line encompasses three sub-products: READYBeam™ (compact multi-wavelength turnkey laser source), RGBeam™ (customizable three-wavelength laser platform), and READYFlow™ (Top-Hat beam shaping module for flow cytometry). FISBA North America serves as the regional subsidiary with ITAR-compliant, AS9100D-certified production in Tucson, AZ, and Saco, ME. The company operates as a vertically integrated optical solutions provider, guiding projects from concept through scalable series production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• READYBeam: Compact multi-wavelength laser module ready to use for life sciences and industrial applications.
• READYFlow
• RGBeam
• FISCam
• READYModules
• Gray Optics

Products and services

• Fast Axis Collimator (FAC) Lenses
• Slow Axis Collimator (SAC) Lenses
• Precision Molded Glass Optics
• Plano Optics
• Micro Lenses for Imaging Systems
• FISCam Imaging & Vision Systems
• READYBeam Micro Laser Module
• RGBeam Micro Laser Module
• READYFlow Micro Laser Module
• Customized Optical Systems

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million lenses manufactured per year
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered regional and core.

• Dynotech Instruments Pvt LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Dynotech Instruments Pvt Ltd represents FISBA in India, distributing FISBA's optical products and supporting customers in the Indian market. This partnership was announced in 2023.
• Gray Optics (acquired May 2023)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Gray Optics, a privately held company specializing in product development and engineering services for medical, life science, and industrial markets, was acquired by FISBA in May 2023. Based in Portland, Maine, Gray Optics became part of FISBA North America, expanding engineering and development skills in North America with AS9100 and ISO 13485 production sites. Founded in 2017, Gray Optics has become a leader in precision optical system product development.
• Nalux Co., LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNalux Co., Ltd. based in Mishima-Gun, Osaka, Japan (6180001 Osaka) is a channel partner for FISBA in Japan. Nalux is itself a company in the optics industry (www.nalux.co.jp/en/).
• PANOPTICS Corp.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPANOPTICS Corp. based in Bundang, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, South Korea (13550) is a channel partner representing FISBA in South Korea (www.panoptics.net).
• TKKregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTKK based in Lu Chu, Taoyuan, Taiwan (33855) is a channel partner representing FISBA in Taiwan (www.tkk.com), focused on optoelectronic communication applications.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Edmund Optics: US-based manufacturer and distributor of optical components, lenses, and assemblies serving industrial, life sciences, and research markets. Closely comparable product portfolio in plano optics, lenses, and laser components, with overlapping customer base.
• Jenoptik: German photonics group with strong precision optics, laser, and optical systems businesses serving medical technology, semiconductor equipment, and industrial laser markets. Directly comparable in vertical mix and full-stack optics capabilities, though larger and publicly listed.
• Sill Optics: German manufacturer of precision optical components and assemblies, particularly laser optics and beam shaping modules. Comparable in laser optics, plano optics, and European industrial customer base, though smaller and more laser-focused.
• LightPath Technologies: US-based precision molded glass optics manufacturer producing aspheric lenses and infrared optics for laser, defense, and industrial markets. Direct overlap in molded glass optics, FAC lens production, and IR (chalcogenide) capability, though smaller in scale.
• Optimax Systems: US precision optics manufacturer specializing in custom optics, aspheres, and prototypes for defense, aerospace, and industrial laser customers. Highly comparable as a custom precision optics manufacturer, particularly in laser and defense markets.
• Excelitas Technologies (Qioptiq): Global photonics technology company with optics, lighting, and detection products for medical, life sciences, industrial, and defense markets. Highly comparable across precision optical assemblies, coatings, and medical/scientific laser modules.
• Thorlabs: US-headquartered photonics equipment and component manufacturer offering optics, lasers, and optomechanical components. Comparable in precision optics manufacturing and life-sciences/industrial laser products, though with a stronger catalog/sales channel orientation.

Broad incumbents

• SCHOTT: German specialty glass and optics manufacturer with deep competence in optical glass, molded optics, and custom optical components. Comparable in materials science and precision optics, but operates at significantly larger scale across many end markets including consumer electronics.
• Coherent Corp (formerly II-VI): Global photonics and compound semiconductor company producing laser optics, components, and materials for industrial, life sciences, and defense markets. Overlaps with FISBA in laser optics and components but operates at vastly larger scale across the full photonics value chain.
• Hoya Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of optical glass, photomask blanks, and contact lenses. Comparable in precision optical materials and some endoscope optics, but with a much larger and more diversified business spanning electronics and eyeglass lenses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fisba-ag
• LinkedInch.linkedin.com/company/fisba

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FISBA