Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leica Camera AG Receives the 2026 G·E·M Award

Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leica Camera AG (headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany), has been awarded the 2026 "G·E·M Award" by the German Brand Research Association (G·E·M). At the gala award ceremony held in Darmstadt, Germany, the jury praised Dr. Kaufmann for his exceptional skill in brand management and his contributions to the international expansion of the Leica brand.

During the ceremony, Professor Achim Heine of the Berlin University of the Arts presented the award, noting that it was Dr. Kaufmann’s vision and dedication that transformed Leica into one of Germany's most desirable and popular brands. The presentation also highlighted how Dr. Kaufmann acquired the management rights to Leica approximately 20 years ago when the company was in financial distress, and how he steered it back onto a path of growth through long-term investment.

Professor Heine praised the current Leica brand as a symbol of "high precision," "craftsmanship," "timeless design," and "superior technological innovation." He credited Dr. Kaufmann with expanding the product portfolio from cameras, lenses, and sports optics to include high-performance smartphones, home cinema projectors, watches, and spectacle lenses. Furthermore, he emphasized Dr. Kaufmann's role as an entrepreneur who continues to expand the global network of Leica Stores and actively promotes global photographic culture through Leica Galleries and the "Leica Oskar Barnack Award."

In response to receiving the award, Dr. Kaufmann commented:

"For over 100 years, Leica has called Wetzlar in the Middle Hesse region of Germany its home, and from there, it has strengthened and maintained relationships with an international community. Every single Leica product reflects the brand's values and technical expertise. On behalf of Leica and our approximately 2,300 employees worldwide, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to G·E·M for this honor."

Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leica Camera AG

The "G·E·M Award" is presented annually since 2011 to individuals who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to brand building. Recipients are selected through a rigorous evaluation process from candidates nominated to G·E·M based on specific criteria, rather than through an open application process.

About Leica Camera AG

Leica Camera AG is a manufacturer of cameras, lenses, and sports optics...