CST/berger is the union of two measuring tool specialist manufacturers: Chicago Steel Tape, founded in 1903, and Berger Instruments, founded in 1871. While Chicago Steel tape specialized originally in the manufacturing of precision long tapes for land surveyors, Berger specialized in the development and manufacturing of precision optical instruments. After acquiring Berger Instruments in 1994, the merged CST/berger developed global leadership in designing, developing & manufacturing levelling and layout instruments and accessories for the building, construction and survey markets.