The History of Ground Zero

History:
A world-wide operating company
Just after a few years the German brand with American roots is already internationally renowned. In America, Ground Zero has been the leading manufacturer for subwoofers with large surrounds.
The Ground Zero brand, which is trademarked world-wide, is one of the world’s most respected names in car hifi. The best evidence is provided by comparison-tests in independent trade magazines in which the Ground Zero products have consistently placed by the winner’s circle with best ratings for price / performance, features and quality.
Story of success
1995: The company Ground Zero was founded in Frankfurt, Germany, by Karl F. Lautner and Peter Unterharnscheidt under the name of Ultimate Sound / MaGmA GmbH. From the very beginning, the company focused on distribution of outstanding car hifi products ”Made in USA“.
1997:The revolution of subwoofer construction!
In cooperation with the speaker designer Bob Carver, the American company Ground Zero developed an unprecedented subwoofer construction that was able to produce lowest bass with extreme levels in tiny enclosures. Huge, strong surrounds, oversized magnets, extremely heavy cones and more incredible construction details that have been unimaginable till then, caused a sensation in the Car Hifi scene. The current Ground Zero GmbH took over the rights of sale for these subwoofers in the European market.
1999:
The company moved to the town Egmating near Munich and got the complete trademark rights for Europe. From there on, the development of all products and service took place there. The GZ-typical subwoofer construction details were improved continuously, the product range has been completed by powerful amplifiers and high quality speaker systems.
2000:
The first subwoofers designed in Germany (GZPW 15 & GZNW 15) were able to set new sound pressure records measured by AutoHifi.
(AutoHifi 04/2000) "With these results, the Ground Zero sub should be worldwide unrivaled"
2003:
The first digital high power amplifiers developed in Germany caused a sensation - the GZPA 1.3000D is the most powerful mono amplifier on the market at that time. (Autohifi 04/2002) "...by far the most powerful mono amplifier know by the editorial staff"
In this year, the company, took over the worldwide trademark rights of the brand "Ground Zero“ and the company was renamed to ”Ground Zero GmbH“.
2004
A new voice coil type with 8 layer flat wire and 4 x 1 Ohm helped the GZPW 15XQ to become the best 15” subwoofer.(Autohifi 04/2004)
"The Ground Zero Plutonium GZPW 15XQ is the most explosive 15" woofer the editorial staff has ever seen."
2005
Ground Zero manufactured the legendary SPL woofers from Nuclear and Plutonium series. These woofers are able to provide unbelievable SPL Power ratings up to 10.000 W. Numerous world records in many classes of dB Drag competitions were set with those GZ – SPL Subwoofers. Countless awards of the specialized press followed.
2007
Due to their long achievement in subwoofer designing, Ground Zero has been voted to ”Best Brand“ at the renowned reader’s choice of the German autohifi – magazine. Even internationally, the Ground Zero Subwoofers stand in the forefront - the GZPW 15SPL is appointed to the ”European Mobile Subwoofer of the year“ by EISA.
2008
The gigantic GZPA 2.20000SPL brakes all existing power rating records.( Autohifi 03/2008) "...strongest amplifier ever tested by autohifi“ Autohifi readers choice award 2008 "High End amplifier of the year"
This year was also the hour of birth for the new enclosures. Starting from Radioactive line, all enclosures got a new, noble design with an illuminated plexiglass front.
2009
Ground Zero expands the product range with the High End Sound Quality Plutonium Reference line which impressed right away. Handmade speakers, crossovers “Made in Germany” and precious amplifiers with selected parts and noble materials persuade the international press and Sound Quality competitors.
CAR & HIFI 01/2009
"High End sound paired with enormous stability - the Reference 4 sets new standards!"
Autohifi 04/2009
"Ground Zero clearly reached the High- End- level with this amplifier."
Beside the great success of the new High End Line, the Dual Power compo system GZPC 165SX + GZPK 160K sets new records - it‘s SPL exceeds the maximum possible measurement level from autohifi.
Autohifi 04/2009
"The Ground Zero not only got the maximum score at features and workmanship, it also broke the existing level record."
2010
The most significant company maxim was, is and will remain: maximum operating safety, longevity and sound quality of the Ground Zero products in every market with every model. These are the points that make a well known and appreciated brand out of Ground Zero. The car hifi world now anxiously waits to learn what new and pleasurable audio experiences Ground Zero will bring them in the future.

2013 &2014 Ground Zero has added numerous new Distributors to its family. They include a re-entry into the US market as well as a new presence in Brazil
Ground Zero today
With more than 300 unique products in 9 lines and nearly 60 distributions worldwide
Ground Zero has became one of the leading Car Audio manufacturers in the world.
But that is no reason for us to rest – together with our outstanding distributors,
we are working on getting bigger and better every day.

That's and interesting read, thanks!

So Ground Zero started as a German company importing speakers from the US? It's odd how things have changed.

I remember the ultimate audio brand. Cool stuff.

Holy thread resurrection.

Ya I was just doing some reading I know it old but I liked it:D

And they are still made in the US, but designed and serviced in Deutschland?

Astrochex, I'm not sure what you mean. Ground Zero products are all Engineered in Germany. They're made in China, Korea, Europe, Italy, etc.

Brandon, I was basing my manufacturing question on the 1995 statement that said "Made in USA". There was no subsequent reference to manufacturing outside of the US, only design and development, which can certainly not be co-located with production. I was thinking how great it would be for GZ products to be made in the US.

Thanks for your response and I hope the best for GZ USA in its endeavors.