2020

GERMAN DESIGN AWARD 2020

SIDELITE ECO STANDING LUMINAIRE

Top-level design and lighting technology

The SIDELITE ECO free-standing luminaire is awarded the German Design Award 2020

2020

German Design Award 2020

MINGATA

Literally trailblazing

The outdoor luminaire MINGATA is awarded the German Design Award 2020.

2019

TRIPLE

Lighting innovation times 3

The TRIONA LED surface area luminaire will be awarded three design prizes in 2019!
It receives the iF Design Award 2019, the reddot award 2019 and the German Design Award 2019

2019

TOP100-Innovator

This is the third time RZB has received the Top Innovator award.

2019

Company anniversary

80 years of RZB

For 80 years, RZB has been dedicated to the development and production of luminaires of the highest quality.
The two guidelines Smart Technology and Excellent Design are the core and basis of every development.

2018

The major German brands 2021

Die großen deutschen Marken 2019

This is the sixth time that RZB has been allowed to present itself in the book series.

2018

reddot award 2018

PLANOX PRO

The innovative PLANOX PRO moisture-proof luminaire is awarded the reddot award 2018.

2017

TOP100-Innovator

This is the second time RZB has received the Top Innovator award.

Growth
Start of construction of an additional high-bay warehouse on the company and production premises of RZB Rudolf Zimmermann, Bamberg GmbH.

The major German brands
RZB has participated for the fifth time in a row.

Bavaria's Best 50
RZB is one of Bavaria's Best 50, and Dr.-Ing. Alexander Zimmermann accepted the award on 27 July 2017 at a ceremony held at the event at Schleißheim Castle near Munich from the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Ilse Aigner.

2020

The major German brands

Die großen deutschen Marken 2020

RZB is present in the book series for the seventh time!

2016

3. Mai 2016

Dr. Alexander Zimmermann is celebrating his 70th birthday.

2016

RZB acquires the business operations of shop lighting expert TDX GmbH Technisches Licht-Design Suhl.

Establishment of the new company RZB-TDX Lighting GmbH as a specialist for Shoplighting.

2014

LIGHT. YEARS AHEAD.

RZB is turning 75! A good occasion to briefly pause and - contrary to our usual practices - have a look at our history and achievements.

Ultra-efficient product solutions, progressive LED technology and excellent light quality - what is implicitly connected with the name Rudolf Zimmermann Bamberg is more than the résumé from the 75 years of company history. It is the result of continual company work and the ability to tirelessly think laterally and ahead.

The changes in the field of light- and LED-technology were and are tremendous; yet we have succeeded in creating exemplary solutions to the challenges posed by customers, the market and technology. Step-by-step, we become an all-rounder with an extensive competency when it comes to lighting and light fixtures, which frequently provides its customers and partners with clear competitive advantages.

We consider this development as something to be proud of. As well as the fact that our creative work has received 44 internationally recognised design awards to date. There wals also a special kind of appreciation as an "anniversary gift": The renowned German Design Council - one of the leading international competence centres for design - included the traditional Bamberg-based company in the exclusive book "Die großen deutschen Marken".

2013

The City of Sondershausen awards special prize to Dr.-Ing. Alexander Zimmermann on occasion of the 20th anniversary of RZB’s sister company SONLUX.

The QUADRALED LED wall luminaire wins the prestigious GOLDEN iF design award.
RING OF FIRE, COROS Kristall, SIDELITE Ellypsoid, LAVANO and the QUADRALED series win the GOOD DESIGN AWARD (USA).

2012

Our LED efficiency calculator provides quick and easy online information about energy efficiency, amortization period and carbon dioxide emission savings potential of LED lamps, LED retrofits and LED luminaires.

RZB‘s QUADRALED wall luminaire wins iF product design award. The PASCALA recessed downlight and the Slopia Top pathway luminaire win the iF product design award. The Econe® Hybrid luminaire is awarded the reddot Best of the Best product design award for design excellence.

Some 20 currently available RZB LED luminaire series are gracing the premises of the E-House exhibition. The E-House exhibition titled "Vernetzt wohnen und leben – das E-Haus“ is showcased at other regional trade shows in Germany.

The German architects‘ association (Bund Deutscher Architekten - BDA) is supported by RZB on occasion of the  Auszeichnung Guter Bauten in Franken 2012 award.

Smart Technology and Excellent Design is RZB’s motto at the 2012 edition of the light+building trade show.

Website relaunch with complete integration of the product catalog.

2011

A new metallurgy building is completed; a laser punching/nibbling machine, a wiring robot and an assembly conveyor belt are purchased. Expansion of the exhibition space at the Light Competence Center, which showcases various application domains of RZB luminaires.

Various RZB products win an iF design award, a Red Dot design award and the German Design Award; the Areno wins the silver medal in the latter competition.

2010

RZB products receive three iF awards and three Red Dot design awards. Four RZB products are nominated for the German Design Award by the Federal Department of Trade and Industry. The Sonlux Gladiator II professional work light receives the iF award, the Red Dot Best of the Best award and is runner-up in the German Design Award competition.

RZB launches its new trade show stand concept and unveils its high-end products at Light+Building, both of which are acclaimed by industry professionals.

Completion of the renovation of RZB’s factory buildings is marked by the roll-out of one of the region’s largest solar power installations – a 30,000 square meter facility that also enables RZB to sell power back to the grid.

RZB’s exhibition space is expanded and modernized and is successfully unveiled to the public on Professional Lighting Day.

2009

New luminaire product families replace the Reggiani portfolio and are successfully launched.

RZB celebrates the seventieth anniversary of its founding. New conference rooms are inaugurated.

Dr. Zimmermann is awarded the federal Distinguished Service Cross.

The Mera and Mondana luminaires win the Red Dot design award.

2008

Roll-out of RZB’s Light Emotion Park, which showcases the company’s exterior lighting portfolio.

Reiner Jürgens joins RZB as an additional corporate officer.

2007

Building remodeling increases the amount of display space to showcase new lighting planning solutions.

2006

RZB’s emergency luminaire division showcases its products in a dedicated (and additional) stand at the Light+Building trade show. Unveiling of the Flat Polymero Super XXL and Stadion Oval products, probably the world’s largest mass produced luminaires.

RZB extensively modernizes its tool-making processes.

RZB’s interior, exterior and emergency lighting portfolios are expanded through the use of latest generation LED technology.

2004/2005

RZB makes further substantial capital investments in all manufacturing areas, e.g. expansion of metallurgy activities via the introduction of fully automated steel-sheet processing. Introduction of an enterprise wide uniform SAP platform.

2000

RZB’s web site rolled out. A versatile and automated robot-assisted luminaire production line goes into operation. Information and communication systems restructured. RZB exhibits at the Light+Building trade show in Frankfurt, which is held every other year.

1996

A logistics center/warehouse for just-in-time deliveries goes into operation. RZB’s quality management processes are granted ISO 9001 certification, a distinction that also entails international recognition of RZB’s quality assurance system via EQ Net. Sculpture garden established in cooperation with Germany’s Federation of Fine Artists (Bundesverband Bildender Künstler (BBK)).

1992

Lighting technology lab upgraded to allow for use of a completely new measurement procedure. Sonlux, an electrical products firm with more than 100 employees, is founded following German reunification.

1990/1991

Sales rep network that encompasses all of the new East German states is established.

RZB’s tenth plant and office building at the Bamberg harbor site goes into operation.

1989

Institution of a new surface-technology production facility. Activities of injection molding and metallurgy departments expanded thanks to the introduction of CIM/CAM preparation-enabled CNC machines.

1988

Manufacture of high-tech spotlights and downlights. RZB takes over a major portion of the Zeiss-Ikon portfolio.

Light Information and R&D center (Licht-Informations-Forschungs-Entwicklungs Center (L.I.F.E.)) goes into operation. The facility offers exhibitions, conference rooms for presentation purposes, and the RZB Kunst im Licht (“Art in Light”) gallery.

1987

RZB begins partnering with Reggiani S. p. A. of Monza, Italy in the field of low-voltage luminaires.

1984/1985

Products developed using CAD technology. Lighting technology lab goes into operation. Manufacture of luminaires for halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps and high intensity discharge lamps.

1978

Alexander Zimmermann registered in Bamberg Commercial Register as chief executive and sole shareholder of RZB Leuchten. Garden lighting portfolio introduced.

1971/1974

Manufacture of emergency luminaires, luminaire signs and communication systems. Projector and track system portfolio expanded.

1970

New site at the Bamberg harbor goes into operation.

All areas of activity are built out. An electrical engineering and material testing lab for quality assurance purposes goes into operation.

A dedicated test lab for domestic and international approvals goes into operation.

1962

Surface-finishing installation goes into operation.

Crystal-glass and all-plastic luminaire portfolio expanded.

1960

Introduction of RZB’s pioneering rapid attachment system for all-glass luminaires, known as DKN system (push/tilt system).

Manufacture of ISO oval bulkhead luminaires begins.

1959

A thermoset and thermoplastic installation is instituted.

Metallurgy activities expanded.

1953

An extensive network of sales reps in Germany and abroad is established, along with proprietary warehouses.

1948

RZB purchases additional buildings.

Glass and ceramic manufacturing activities expanded.

Production of all-glass luminaires begins.

RZB exhibits at the inaugural edition of the industrial exports trade show in Hannover and begins export activities.

1939

Rudolf Zimmermann founds the consumer electronics manufacturing company RZB (Rudolf Zimmermann Bamberg) on 15 March.

Initial manufacturing portfolio: Circuit breakers, fuses and junction boxes components as well as porcelain luminaires.

RZB becomes a member of the Bayreuth chamber of commerce and continues on as a member after World War II.

RZB joins the electrical industry association known as Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.V.