Saint Louis – Seiler Instrument & Manufacturing Co., Inc., is proud to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2025 as a fourth-generation family business. Seiler is an Authorized Distributor for Trimble geospatial technology offering advanced survey and mapping solutions to capture, manage, and analyze high-precision data.
Seiler’s corporate headquarters is located in St. Louis, Missouri, with additional Geospatial sales offices in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
Their offices stock a wide variety of technology and supplies for your field crew and office needs, including GNSS receivers, robotic and mechanical total stations, scanners, data collectors, lasers, levels, supplies, and more. In addition, Seiler has nationally recognized repair centers that can service, repair, and calibrate your survey, GIS, and construction equipment.
Seiler also partners with Esri, Autodesk, Spectra Precision, Bluebeam, Wingtra, WISPR, DJI, and more.
Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Looking Toward the Future
In 1945, Eric H. Seiler and his wife, Dora L. Seiler, embarked on a journey that would shape the future of precision manufacturing and optical instruments. From a small survey instrument repair shop on Pine Street in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, Seiler Instrument has expanded into a company known for its dedication to quality and precision. Now, in 2025, the company celebrates 80 years, honoring its legacy while embracing the future.
A Legacy of Precision
Eric H. Seiler’s passion for optics and craftsmanship was cultivated at the Zeiss Jena School of Fine Optics in Germany. This foundation in fine optics and precision engineering set the stage for Seiler Instrument’s growth from a repair shop into a multi-division company specializing in high precision machining and a distributor of medical and dental microscopes and planetarium projectors across the United States.
Seiler Instrument has remained a family-owned and operated business, with generations of the Seiler family carrying on the tradition. Today, the company is led by Eric (Rick) Seiler Jr., President/CEO; Tom Seiler, Executive Vice President Geospatial and Medical Divisions; and Louise Seiler Schaper, Executive Vice President, Compliance Director, and Planetarium Division Manager.
Also instrumental in running the business are fourth-generation family members, Eric Seiler III, Vice President of Survey Sales; Matt Seiler, Vice President of Precision Manufacturing; and Kurtis Schaper, Vice President of HR and Marketing.
This leadership ensures that Seiler Instrument remains committed to quality, customer service, and innovation.
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Eric P. Seiler Sr. (1928-2024)
As Seiler commemorates this milestone, they also celebrate the life of their recent Chairman of the Board, Eric P. Seiler Sr. Eric passed away peacefully on January 7, 2024, at the age of 95. While his passing is a loss for the Seiler family and the entire organization, Seiler continues to honor his legacy. Eric Sr. was a leader, mentor, and inspiration to everyone at Seiler Instrument. His leadership propelled the company forward, always with a focus on precision, quality, and integrity. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he valued family, teamwork, and community. His legacy lives on in the company he built and the values he instilled.
Eric Sr. once wrote in his book, Precision: “We have a wonderful opportunity to leave a legacy to our children in the form of a company that thrives on vision, integrity, skill, hard work, and a spirit of service.” That philosophy remains at the heart of Seiler Instrument today, guiding the company into the future.
Innovation and Expansion Across Industries
Over the past 80 years, Seiler Instrument has adapted to technological advancements and industry changes, expanding its expertise across multiple sectors:
- Geospatial Division: A Trimble Authorized Distribution Partner and Preferred Service Provider, this division provides surveying, engineering, and GIS solutions making it possible to map, measure, and visualize our physical environment.
- Precision Manufacturing Division: A cornerstone of the company, this division is a trusted partner to the U.S. Department of Defense, specializing in high-precision optical instruments and military applications, with a track record of completing over 6,000 government contracts.
- Medical Division: Established in 1950, this division has expanded from distributing ZEISS microscopes to developing its own line of surgical, dental, and laboratory microscopes, serving medical professionals worldwide.
- Planetarium Division: As the exclusive distributor of Carl Zeiss planetarium projectors in North America, Seiler has helped science centers and educational institutions bring the wonders of the universe to life.
- Design Solutions Division: A leading Autodesk Gold Partner, this division provides software solutions and training for professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction, enhancing project efficiency and collaboration. GeoDrones is part of the Design Solutions Division and provides solutions for all your UAS needs including sales, support, and training for many leading drone manufacturers, including Wingtra, WISPR, DJI, and many more.
- BuildingPoint Mid-America: Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, BuildingPoint Mid-America addresses the Design-Build-Operate (DBO) construction lifecycle with user-friendly technology.
A Celebration of People and Partnerships
Seiler Instrument’s success over the past eight decades has been driven by employees, customers, partners, and suppliers. As the company celebrates 80 years, it extends its gratitude to those who have contributed to its growth.
To mark this special occasion, Seiler Instrument is hosting employees, customers, and longtime partners later this year with facility tours, technology demonstrations, and fun activities. These celebrations serve as a testament to the company’s commitment to its mission: “The employees at Seiler will manufacture and sell the highest quality systems, utilizing modern techniques and integrity, to anticipate and respond to the changing needs of our customers.”
Looking Ahead to the Next 80 Years
While celebrating its history, Seiler Instrument is also looking toward the future. With advancements in automation, AI, and emerging technologies, the company remains committed to staying at the forefront of innovation while maintaining the core values that have defined it for 80 years. Eric P. Seiler, Sr., believed in leaving a legacy of quality, service, and integrity. As Seiler embarks on its next chapter, it does so with the same dedication that has made it a trusted leader for eight decades.
Here’s to 80 years of precision, innovation, and family legacy – and to the future ahead!
