Leuze Company Profile: History, Ownership and Products
Updated: 7 days ago
Leuze is a German family-owned maker of optical sensors, safety devices and identification systems, with more than 1,600 employees. Its electronics business started in 1963 in Owen, in a family firm whose roots go back to a textile mill founded in 1861. This profile sets out its history, ownership and products.
Leuze at a Glance
Fact | Detail |
Company | Leuze electronic GmbH & Co. KG |
Family roots | 1861, in textiles |
Electronics business | Since January 1, 1963 |
Headquarters | Owen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany |
Employees | More than 1,600 |
Ownership | Family owned |
Network | 21 sales subsidiaries, six production sites and three technology centers |
Company History
The Leuze family founded a mechanical cotton weaving and spinning mill in 1861 and has been based in Owen since 1894. In the 1960s the family diversified beyond textiles, and on January 1, 1963, Leuze electronic began making optical sensors in Owen. The first subsidiary, in Unterstadion, followed in 1977, and further subsidiaries in Europe and beyond from 1981.
Key milestones
1861: Textile mill founded.
1894: Headquarters in Owen.
1963: Leuze electronic starts with optical sensors.
1977: First subsidiary.
1981 onward: International subsidiaries.
Products
Category | Examples |
Switching sensors | Optoelectronic, ultrasonic, inductive and capacitive |
Measuring sensors | Distance, positioning and contour sensors, area scanners |
Safety | Laser scanners, light curtains, safety switches and controllers |
Identification | Barcode and 2D-code readers, handheld scanners |
Image processing | Vision sensors and cameras |
Data transmission | Optical data transmission |
Its focus industries are intralogistics, packaging, machine tools, automotive and laboratory automation.
Can You Invest in Leuze?
No. It is a family-owned private company.
What Is Not Covered
Sales and the names of management are not stated in the source used, so they are left out.
Strengths and Challenges
Strengths
Long family ownership.
A clear focus on optical and safety sensing.
Strong ties to intralogistics, where mobile robots and conveyors need safety scanners.
Challenges
Smaller than its main sensor competitors.
Dependence on a few focus industries.
Current Catalogue Coverage
Catalogue checked on 15 October 2026: 2 associated product records. The links below are representative entries, rather than a claim that every historical model is currently available.
Leuze FAQ
Who owns Leuze?
The Leuze family.
Where is Leuze based?
In Owen, Germany.
When was Leuze founded?
The electronics business started on January 1, 1963; the family firm dates from 1861.
What does Leuze make?
Optical sensors, safety laser scanners and light curtains, and code readers.
How many people work at Leuze?
More than 1,600.
Sources
Wikipedia (German): Leuze electronic
