Detectors & Imaging

Thermal image sensor maker ULIS doubles R&D spending, marks 15 years of 20% growth rate

June 14, 2017

The company generated €61.5M ($69.3M) in sales in 2016.

ULIS (Veurey-Vorioze, France), a manufacturer of thermal image sensors, will significantly increase its R&D spending for 2017 to reach €15M ($16.8M). The company generated €61.5M ($69.3M) in sales in 2016, a rise of nearly 30% compared to 2015. Buoyed by the spurt in additional growth and market changes, ULIS’ new level of R&D investment will represent 20% of its annual sales. Previously, the company pledged 10% of its annual revenue to R&D.

The goal of this increase is to further simplify access to thermal imaging within growing smart building, automotive and consumer electronics markets by making the key component—the thermal sensor—more compact, more affordable, easier to integrate and available in mass volumes. As applications of thermal imaging become increasingly diversified, attracting new players worldwide, ULIS deems this investment necessary to sustain the pace of market developments and further advance its market lead. ULIS, which is a subsidiary of Sofradir, exports 97% of its products.

The company says it will accelerate the design of models and features better adapted to system maker and end-user needs in new markets (leisure equipment, smart buildings, driving assistance for cars with or without drivers, etc.). It will pursue development of disruptive technologies that reach new heights in performance of thermal image sensors for clients in traditional markets, for example defense and security. The company will also commence 24/7 non-stop production to meet new demands for mass volume.

“ULIS is happy to mark its 15th anniversary with an even stronger commitment to democratizing thermal image sensors, making them available and affordable for all,” said Jean-François Delepau, managing director of ULIS. Since its founding in 2002 as a spin-off from CEA-Leti, ULIS says it has become the second largest producer of thermal image sensors (microbolometers) for defense, surveillance, thermography, firefighting, outdoor leisure and automotive markets in the world. It now employs 200. And has averaged 20% growth per year since inception.

Source: ULIS

About the Author

Conard Holton | Editor at Large

Conard Holton has 25 years of science and technology editing and writing experience. He was formerly a staff member and consultant for government agencies such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and engineering companies such as Bechtel. He joined Laser Focus World in 1997 as senior editor, becoming editor in chief of WDM Solutions, which he founded in 1999. In 2003 he joined Vision Systems Design as editor in chief, while continuing as contributing editor at Laser Focus World. Conard became editor in chief of Laser Focus World in August 2011, a role in which he served through August 2018. He then served as Editor at Large for Laser Focus World and Co-Chair of the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar from August 2018 through January 2022. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at the Colorado School of Mines and Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.