Seiler Instrument & Mfg. Co.
Seiler Instrument & Mfg. Co. is a full service contract manufacturer specializing in optical fire control equipment as well as a major distributor of surveying software and instruments, microscopes, and Zeiss planetariums. There are several main divisions within the company which include Manufacturing, Geospatial-Survey, Microscope, Planetarium, and Night Vision. It is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri with Geospatial-Survey sales offices located in Kansas City, Illinois, Nebraska, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
History
Seiler Instrument was founded in 1945 by Eric H. Seiler and his wife Dora L. Seiler. Seiler had been trained in the field of optical design and construction by the Zeiss Jena School of Fine Optics in Jena, Germany. He had originally worked for Zeiss Jena, the first incarnation of what is now Carl Zeiss AG, but continued to work in the optical field for the David White company in Wisconsin after emigrating to the United States. Seiler began his own optical company at 922 Pine Street which specialized in repairing existing survey instruments.[1] Since this time, the company's focus has shifted toward designing or retailing survey, military, medical, and planetarium systems.
Manufacturing
Seiler Instrument’s Manufacturing Division specializes in manufacturing precision optical instruments and components primarily for the United States Military. Seiler is the Original Equipment Manufacturer of the optical fire control used on all United States howitzer and mortar systems as well as many howitzer systems used around the world. From start to finish, Seiler is responsible for the machining, assembly, and testing of all components of the optical fire control system. Along with manufacturing optical instrument assemblies, Seiler also specializes in refurbishing artillery optical fire control equipment which can extend the life of a weapon system.
Geospatial-Survey
Seiler Instrument’s Geospatial-Survey Division is segmented into various industries: Survey, Architecture, Engineering, Design Build Construction, and Mapping GIS/GPS. Seiler specializes in product sales, training, implementation, support, rentals, and repairs. They are one of the largest distributors in the United States for Trimble Navigation Limited/Trimble® and an Autodesk® Silver Partner Reseller. Seiler is an Authorized Autodesk Training Center, Autodedsk Consulting Specialized, and AIA CES provider. There are six office locations across the Midwestern United States. Seiler Instrument is also a Trimble Preferred Service Provider with authorized service and repair centers located in St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee. [2]
Microscope
Seiler Instrument’s Microscope Division was created in 1950 when Seiler formed an agreement with Carl Zeiss (Jena) to distribute their microscope line in North America. After many successful years as a North American dealer for Zeiss, Seiler and Zeiss parted ways. This split allowed Seiler to create a new microscope to compete with the Zeiss product line and to develop partnerships in Germany, South America, and Asia. Seiler’s Microscope Division provides high quality optics and services to the medical and dental industry. Seiler offers a full line of medical microscope products including: Colposcopes, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Audiology, Compound and Laboratory Microscopes, Multidisciplinary Surgery Microscopes and Surgical Loupes. They also offer a complete line of dental microscopy products including: Surgical Microscopes, Dental Loupes, Loupe Lights, and Dental Stools. [3]
Planetarium
In 1987, Seiler Instrument and Carl Zeiss reunited through their planetarium line, and the Seiler Instrument Planetarium Division was created. Seiler Instrument is the sole distributor and first point of contact for sales, service, and repairs on all Carl Zeiss Planetariums in the United States and Canada. Over 600 Zeiss Planetariums around the world have been installed to date for the purposes of simulation, education, and entertainment. Seiler has installed and serviced these projectors in planetariums and science centers such as the Noble Planetarium at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.[4]
Night Vision
Seiler’s Night Vision Division manufactures and distributes day and night vision precision rifle scopes under the name VISIONMASTER® for the military, law enforcement agencies, and hunters. The VISIONMASTER® eliminates the need to maintain a dedicated night vision weapon system and a dedicated day weapon system. These rifle scopes allow marksmen to use a single weapon system 24 hours a day. When light levels fall below the minimum required for day operations, the VISIONMASTER® can be switched from a day scope to a night vision scope in less than 30 seconds with no tools and no shift in point of impact.