In a formal ceremony in June, the Carl Zeiss Group unveiled a microscope assembly hall at its factory in Göttingen, Germany. The facility produces microscope systems and components for applications in biomedical research, health care, materials science and industry. The 3000-square-meter space was constructed at a cost of €10 million (approximately $11 million) in less than one year, with some of the funding from the Lower Saxony region of the country.

In attendance at the event were the mayor of Göttingen and the economics minister of Lower Saxony, who said that the new assembly hall is evidence that business opportunities continue to exist, even in the recent economic downturn.