History after 1990
On August 1, 1991 the Eisfeld plant of the Jenoptik Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH, which employed 550 staff, was taken over by Bernhard Docter, who lent his name to the company and products. The company now traded under the name Docter-Optic-Eisfeld GmbH and continued with the production of binoculars, riflescopes, spotting scopes, magnifying glasses and opto-electronic measurement equipment, which was rich in tradition.
As an acknowledged producer of bright-molded aspheric lenses, it was an important aim of the company's strategy to make progress in the use of aspheric lenses in imaging optics. This was first effected with the eyepieces of the telescopic sight 8x56 and the NOTAREM-binoculars with in-line optics. Having overcome initial difficulties, the process of bright molding was optimized to such an extent that the quality required for series production was achieved. Larger numbers of aspheric lenses were incorporated into the newly created product category "Flash Lights".
Here it was particularly the battery driven compact flash lights which were paid attention. Overall a strong expansion of the product range took place, particularly so for riflescopes, which have been complemented by devices with illuminated reticles in the recent past. In many places the finish has been visibly improved. It is also worth mentioning that considerable construction and technological efforts have been made to ensure and continuously improve the product quality.
The advances made in the field of visual observation and sight devices over the recent years can be seen in:
- the introduction of centered reticles for riflescopes
- the establishing of riflescopes with variable magnification as standard models
- the general use of eyepieces for persons wearing glasses for all new binoculars
- the improvements in the modeling of optical systems by using complex, highly optimized software with cleverly thought-out algorithms, which for 15 years have also been available for PCs
- the employment of CAD in the construction of devices and of mathematical modeling in the development process
- the advances in the coating technology with the introduction of broad band antireflection coatings and of phase correction layers on roof edge prisms
- the use of bright-molded aspherics on a large scale in devices with first-class performance
- the improved resistance to environmental exposure (rubber coating, water proof, nitrogen filling, lead-free glasses)
- creation of new device features, such as integrated compasses in binoculars, illuminated reticles and parallax compensation for riflescopes or
- completely new product groups such as compact reflex sights.
On November 15, 1995 the company Docter-Optic in Wetzlar declared bankruptcy for the whole business. Under the chairmanship of Dr. Wellensieck the company went into receivership, with the major part of the company subsequently being sold to a company consortium consisting of Bosch and Hella under the management of Rodenstock.
The Eisfeld plant with its 230 employees remained operative under insolvency conditions, while potential buyers were sought. During all this time the "Big Solution" was the focus of attention, a scenario where the company would be sold as a whole.
In total, talks were held with more than 30 interested parties. A bill of sale was agreed with the American company MMTI, but this never became legally valid, since no payment was made. Following further unsuccessful endeavors by the insolvency managers, the closure of the plant in Eisfeld was announced on April 15, 1997.