New US/Japan joint venture optics company debuted at SPIE Annual Meeting

To meet the growing demands of a new generation of optics users, OptoSigma Corp. (Santa Ana, CA) chose the SPIE Annual Meeting last month in San Diego to introduce itself to the industry. The new firm is a joint venture between Sigma Koki Co. (Saitima Prefecture, Japan)—a rapidly growing manufacturer of electro-optical and laser components that will retain 51% of OptoSigma—and a group of individuals with extensive experience in the US optics industry. Company founder and president Paul Kendrick was formerly CEO of Melles Griot (Irvine, CA).

OptoSigma will offer a broad-based catalog of laser-quality optical components and optomechanical products. Shigeki Sugiyama, president of Sigma Koki said, "We plan to invest in a modern production facility in the USA." Kendrick explained, "We will offer engineering services and value-added manufacturing in the USA. We are here solely to respond to the needs of optics users."

The mood at this year`s 40th-anniversary meeting was generally upbeat, with more than 5750 attendees (up from last year) perusing the booths of at least 271 exhibitors.