Thorlabs (Newton, NJ) added a new R&D and manufacturing site to its global operations. Based in Montreal, Canada, Thorlabs Canada ULC will focus on the development and production of a range of passive fiber-based optical components. The opening of the Canadian operation expands Thorlabs' geographical footprint to include 13 manufacturing entities in 9 countries spread over 4 continents.
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The Thorlabs Canada team will focus its R&D efforts on developing a broad range of optical fiber components necessary for next-generation medical imaging devices and advanced instrumentation for use in the physical sciences. Thorlabs' choice to establish a new office in Montreal was a natural given the talent, capabilities, and experience of the local optics and physics community.
"We look forward to collaborating with strong academic partners, such as Ecole Polytechnique & Université de Montréal, to bring innovative optical components to the market place. We are also excited to contribute to strengthening Montréal's position as a technological center in Photonics," said Eric Geoffrion, managing director of the Canadian operation.
Thorlabs Canada has recently begun hiring and expects to reach full employment of 40 people within a few years.
Thorlabs, a vertically integrated photonics products manufacturer, was founded in 1989 to serve the laser and electrooptics research market. Its manufacturing assets include semiconductor fabrication of Fabry-Perot, DFB, QCL, and VCSEL lasers, fiber towers for drawing glass optical fibers (silica, fluoride, tellurite, and hollow core), MBE crystal growth machines, extensive glass and metal fabrication facilities, advanced thin-film deposition capabilities, and optomechanical and optoelectronic assembly operations.
SOURCE: Thorlabs; http://www.thorlabs.us/PressReleases.cfm?ReleaseID=79