From cameras to coordinate measuring machines

1869
Ernst Leitz takes over the Optische Institut and calls it Ernst Leitz.

1925
Leitz starts serial production of the first 35 mm camera Leica I, Leica stands for Leitz Camera.

1986
Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH and WILD Heerbrugg merge to the WILD LEITZ group.

1990
WILD LEITZ and Cambridge Instruments merge into LEICA.

1990
The division Industrial Metrology (IMT) is separated as Leitz Messtechnik GmbH. New owner becomes Brown & Sharpe.

1994
Renamed to Leitz-Brown & Sharpe GmbH.
 
1998
Renamed to Brown & Sharpe GmbH.
 
2003
The company is part of the Hexagon Metrology group and is called Leitz Messtechnik GmbH again.

2005
With effect of January 1st, Leitz Messtechnik is renamed to Hexagon Metrology GmbH. The coordinate measuring machines and gear testers are sold under the Leitz brand.

2007
Hexagon Metrology presents Leitz PMM-G – the biggest most accurate coordinate measuring machine and gear tester in the world.