Schäfter+Kirchhoff

About us

Schäfter+Kirchhoff GmbH has its headquarters in Hamburg, Germany. At this location, high-quality optical products are developed, manufactured and shipped to customers all over the world, and beyond.

The company was founded 1955 and started with classic lens design and customer-specific optical solutions. The focus has gradually shifted to today’s product lines: polarization-maintaining fiber optics, lasers for machine vision as well as line scan cameras and scanner systems.

After 60 years of private ownership, Schäfter+Kirchhoff GmbH was transferred in 2016 to the Gregor Federau Foundation, which was established by the former owner of the company to support child and youth welfare.

Schäfter+Kirchhoff completes generational transition and announces dual leadership

Schäfter+Kirchhoff GmbH and its owner, the non-profit Gregor Federau Foundation, are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the company’s leadership transition. After a planned one-year overlap period with a three-person management board, the company moved to a dual leadership structure on 1 October 2026.

During this period, long-standing managing director Dr Ulrich Oechsner gradually handed over his responsibilities to Dr Tobias Klafka and Michael Schulz, ensuring a seamless transfer of knowledge before retiring. "We thank Dr Oechsner for nearly twelve years as managing director, during which he made a lasting contribution to the development of Schäfter+Kirchhoff, and for the care with which he handed the company over to us," says Michael Schulz.

Before joining the management board in 2025, Dr Tobias Klafka and Michael Schulz had already held key positions within the company. Dr Tobias Klafka is a physicist who received his doctorate from the Institute for Laser Physics at the University of Hamburg. He previously headed the development department. Michael Schulz is a physical technology engineer. After many years with the company, he most recently led the production department.

"This transition's successful completion offers our business partners the best possible continuity. We're optimistic about the future as we continue to expand our product portfolio," says Dr. Tobias Klafka. Schäfter+Kirchhoff GmbH is well positioned to meet evolving market demands and to continue its growth.

Our Focus

A major focus is our winning combination of high optical and mechanical precision, which is the basis for the high quality, stability and durability of our products.

in one hand

Extensive know-how and highly qualified, dedicated employees are the driving force of our company.

Research and development, manufacturing and technical sales all have a strong technical background and are closely linked, ensuring an exchange at an equal level and a fast and efficient response to customer needs.

We are celebrating 70 years!

Founded on May 5, 1955, Schäfter + Kirchhoff started out as a classic lens design company known for its customized optical solutions. Gradually, the focus shifted to today's product lines, which are still manufactured right in Hamburg and distributed worldwide. 70 years later, we are excited to celebrate our company’s big birthday with a big thank you to our customers, and a small voyage through our history [more].

Company Presentation

If you want to find out more about Schäfter+Kirchhoff, please click through the Company Presentation below.

You want to work for us?

The Schäfter+Kirchhoff team consists of more than 60 motivated employees.
Our diverse backgrounds and trainings, as well as the different specializations required for the development and production of all three product lines, are our greatest asset.

Working in a smaller company has many advantages!
Everybody is working under one roof and our open-door policy allows one to talk to all specialists as well as decision makers.

We have short communication channels, flat hierarchies and an open corporate culture.

Our ideas stem from conversations with our customers, but also from personal inspirations.
Personal initiative and commitment is highly appreciated!

Please check here for available opportunities.

Quality and reliability

Schäfter+Kirchhoff has a quality control team that is dedicated to working continuously towards the achievement of our quality goals as well as the compliance with the laws and standards.

Our continuous improvement process includes our products, the manufacturing process, other core and support processes, the documentation and the quality control based on risk management.

Our goal is to produce products that are high quality and long lasting. We are convinced that this is one way we can contribute to sustainability in a natural and purposeful way.

Schäfter+Kirchhoff GmbH is certified according to the ISO 9001 standard.

How to get here

Map

Schäfter + Kirchhoff GmbH

Kieler Str. 212

22525 Hamburg , Germany

Tel.: +49(0)40 85 39 97-0

Fax: +49(0)40 85 39 97-79

E-Mail: info@SuKHamburg.com

Details

Company Policy

Schäfter+Kirchhoff GmbH is an optical technologies company specializing in the provision of customized solutions and products. We are primarily a supplier to customers and clients from science, research and industry, worldwide, of components in small to medium product series. We create long-lasting, crisis-proof partnerships with our customers and accompany them through many generations of their applications and end-products. This success arises from the acclaimed precision, quality, reliability and durability of our products, the competent advice provided by our employees, our flexibility in response to customer requirements, and our care in the manufacture of the products.

Our complete statement of company policy can be read here.