Prologue: our historic roots show both our continuous commitment to customer benefits and our focus on developing innovative solutions for the future
Semiconductor technology has changed the world – and will continue to do so. In the course of the past few decades, our innovative ideas have enabled us to set new technological milestones again and again in one of the world’s most fascinating and dynamic sectors. And we want to continue to lead sector developments with our core skills – because semiconductor technology is pivotal to energy efficiency and environmental protection.
The 1960s – The “cradle of semiconductor technology” is established in Dresden
The Center for Molecular Electronics (AME) is founded by Prof. Dr. Werner Hartmann on August 1, 1961, in Dresden. Since then, Dresden has been known as the “cradle of semiconductor technology” in Germany and Europe.
- Humble beginnings next to Elektromat, 1961
- The company’s founder, Werner Hartmann, inaugurates the new building
The 1970s – The evolution of the switching circuit begins
The chips developed in the 1970s get smaller and smaller and more and more efficient. Technological progress continues to gather pace and microelectronic components lead to innovations in mechanical engineering and in the consumer goods industry.
- Cardiac pacemaker IC and layout
- Product ad
The 1980s – Prestigious high-tech projects against a backdrop of political change
The 1980s are very much characterized by political change. In technological terms, CMOS technology comes to the fore. The 1‑megabit chip attracts a great deal of attention as a prestige project in 1988, but production ceases for economic reasons.
- Presentation of the 1 megabit chip to Erich Honecker
- Company brochure
The 1990s – A new start following German Reunification
The state-owned enterprise (VEB) becomes the Zentrum Mikroelektronik Dresden GmbH in the summer of 1990. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the business is initially administrated by the Treuhandanstalt (Trust Agency). The advent of the market economy seriously affects the company’s sector, but the company nevertheless succeeds in maintaining its top-class quality standards.
- Company brochure
- Company brochure
2000 to 2010 – ZMDI once again demonstrates its position as a driver of innovation
The company becomes fully privatized in 2000 converting to ZMD AG. We are a founding member of the Silicon Saxony industry cluster. The company expands internationally with new locations in the USA, Japan and Bulgaria. In 2007, the company is one of the first businesses in the industry to discontinue fabrication, once again demonstrating its position as a driver of innovation with its new business model as a fabless company and with its clear strategic focus on energy efficiency.
- We go international (2004)
- New logo and message
The future – “Enabling Energy Efficiency” and sustainable growth
Our ideas and activities are focused on products and applications that offer our customers an especially high level of energy efficiency and which markedly reduce emissions. With our energy-efficient switching circuits and sensors, we are contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and are making lower gasoline and electricity consumption possible. This part we play in our customers’ environmental protection forms the foundations for our continued success and sustainable growth in the years to come.