WATFORD, ENGLAND – UK optoelectronics company Davin Optronics Ltd. has relocated its manufacturing, design, and office facilities from Borehamwood to Watford, following the company's acquisition of the optronics business of Coherent Ealing Europe Ltd., a subsidiary of Coherent Inc. The move more than doubles Davin's manufacturing space to 37,000 sq. ft. and gives the company access to in-house precision mechanical manufacturing. In addition, Davin has gained a skilled design and manufacturing team to complement its existing workforce.
Coherent Ealing Europe is best known for their Opto-Mechanical catalog, and claim to be market leaders in the design and manufacture of high precision opto-mechanical assemblies and high-quality optical systems for the defense, medical, and industrial markets. Privately-owned Davin Optronics was established in 1973 to design and manufacture precision optical components for use across the spectrum, from the ultraviolet through the far infrared. Since that time, the Davin Group has grown rapidly and is now a successful provider of optoelectronic systems and components for a growing number of markets including the electronics, semiconductor, telecom, print, medical, laser, and defense industries.
As a result of the acquisition, Davin will take over the design and manufacture of Coherent Ealing's opto-mechanical product range and the medical and industrial business segments. Coherent will retain ownership of the Coherent Ealing name and the Coherent Ealing Opto-Mechanical distribution business, headquartered in Auburn California. Davin and Coherent have entered into a strategic supply agreement covering the supply of opto-mechanical products for the Coherent Ealing Opto-Mechanical distribution business. The two companies will also work together as partners in markets of mutual interest, such as defense and lasers.
Nigel Jinks, Davin’s chief executive, commented: “This is a really exciting opportunity, as merging both companies' resources provides customers with a unique set of optical skills under one roof. Davin has grown rapidly over the past few years and this acquisition will boost its growth and enable Davin to become the premier ‘one-stop shop’ for the design and manufacture of optoelectronic and opto-mechanical systems and components. Leading-edge design will be supported by a world-class manufacturing and test facility capable of providing one-offs, prototypes, and volume production.”
Ian Moyes, sales director for Leicester-based Coherent Optics Europe Ltd added: “The divestment of the Watford facility is an opportunity for Coherent Optics Europe UK to focus on enhancing its position as the leading European supplier of thin film optical coatings, precision optical components, and sub-assemblies for defense, laser, entertainment lighting, and telecom markets. Our primary focus going forward will be to support these market requirements through investment in technology and the further development of close relationships with our customers.”
Bridget Marx | Contributing Editor, UK
Bridget Marx was Contributing Editor, UK for Laser Focus World.