R&D personnel change: Harald Humenberger takes over R&D following the departure of Christian Amsel
Christian Amsel has decided to leave ZKW for personal reasons. He would like to thank his colleagues for their cooperation and the trust placed in him by customers and partners. An orderly transition has been ensured; he will be available for a seamless handover until his departure.
ZKW Lighting Systems USA, Inc. celebrates the opening of its new stand-alone office building in Troy, Michigan
Troy, Michigan – August 27, 2025 – ZKW Lighting Systems USA, Inc. is pleased to announce the opening of its new stand-alone office facility in Troy, Michigan. The move from a shared office to a dedicated facility is an important step in the company’s growth, allowing for increased capacity, greater efficiency and improved service to customers.
Vacations full of experiments: ZKW organizes first MINT children’s camp
From August 18 to 22, ZKW organized a STEM vacation camp for the children of employees for the first time. 16 children aged 6 to 10 immersed themselves in the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Under the professional guidance of two supervisors from the Science Pool VWV educational institute, the premises and garden of the ZKW company restaurant were transformed into a lively field of experimentation. The children had the opportunity to awaken their curiosity through playful activities and exciting experiments.
zoneZ project: ZKW researches AI-supported road safety together with Wiener Neustadt University of Applied Sciences and AIT
In the joint project “zoneZ”, the lighting systems specialist ZKW, the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt (FHWN) and the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) are working on the mobility of the future. The aim is to achieve greater safety for road users with fewer electronics in cars. The team of experts from the three companies is researching a new architecture for control units that requires fewer cables in the vehicle and significantly simplifies the structure of software and sensor technology. “Our aim is to develop innovative lighting functions in the vehicle. The concept of the Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) opens up new possibilities by using information from environmental sensors such as cameras, laser scanners and radar in real time. In order to be able to offer intelligent lighting systems, it is important for us to understand SDV architectures and the division of functions. In this project, the foundations for this were developed and new solution approaches worked out,” explains Dr. Christian Amsel, CTO of the ZKW Group.
Christian Amsel is the new CTO of the ZKW Group
Dr. Christian Amsel (57) took over the position of CTO of the ZKW Group on June 1. The experienced lighting technology expert succeeds Udo Hornfeck, who is leaving the company at his own request to pursue new professional challenges. Dr. Amsel was most recently CTO at Inalfa Roof Systems and Kongsberg Automotive AG, where he was responsible for technology development and was actively involved in the strategic realignment of both companies. Prior to that, he was responsible for the Electronics division at Hella as a member of the management board. He has 22 years of experience in the automotive and lighting technology industry. “My aim is to drive forward the development of future-oriented lighting, electronics and software solutions for the automotive market and to further intensify the cooperation with the LG Group,” says Dr. Christian Amsel.
ZKW among the top 10 of all Austrian applications at the European Patent Office
The ZKW Group filed a total of 38 patents – out of a total of 2,146 applications from Austria – with the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2024. This puts the Wieselburg-based lighting systems specialist in eighth place among all Austrian patent applications to the EPO. At the same time, ZKW is the most innovative company in Lower Austria when it comes to patent applications. Among the inventions registered by ZKW are the latest lighting innovations for the automotive industry – such as a headlight with a coupled light guide. ZKW has filed a patent application for the replaceable headlamp cover lens as a sustainable solution. Another innovation deals with neural networks and AI to optimize the temperature and light management of LED modules. “The numerous patent applications underline the high innovative strength of the ZKW Group. Our intelligent lighting systems enable greater flexibility in vehicle design and more safety on the road,” says Wonyong Hwang, CEO of the ZKW Group.
Won Yong Hwang is the new CEO of the ZKW Group
Won Yong Hwang (54) will take over the position of CEO of the ZKW Group on January 1, 2025. The experienced manager was most recently COO at LG Electronics Vehicle Solution Company, to which ZKW also belongs.
ZKW strengthens software engineering with LG Soft India
Close cooperation with LGSI to drive forward software development for automotive lighting systems
Hermann Seitz takes over management of ZKW Lichtsysteme GmbH with locations in Wieselburg and Wiener Neustadt
On September 1, Hermann Seitz (56) will take over the position of General Plant Manager at ZKW Lichtsysteme GmbH. He succeeds COO Andreas Nix, who most recently held this position. Seitz can look back on a wealth of industry experience and has already held several positions at ZKW – including General Plant Manager of the ZKW electronics plant in Wiener Neustadt. “I am looking forward to taking on this responsible role and contributing to the success of the ZKW Group. My goal is to drive forward the economic development of ZKW Lichtsysteme GmbH with its sites in Wieselburg and Wiener Neustadt through continuous improvements in all areas and to secure this in the long term. Solution-oriented and unselfish cooperation as a team that is prepared to go the extra mile with and for each other is essential for me, and the active demonstration of these values by me and all managers is a must.”
ZKW awarded the “safe and healthy working” seal of approval
The General Accident Insurance Institution (AUVA) has awarded ZKW the “safe and healthy working” seal of approval. This is in recognition of the lighting system specialist’s strong commitment to the health and safety of its employees. The award of the seal of approval requires a systematic evaluation by the AUVA, in which occupational safety and health protection are checked according to various criteria. “The seal of approval proves that we offer our employees demonstrably safe and healthy working conditions and devote the utmost attention to occupational safety,” explains Dr. Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.