Gooch&Housego successfully acquires Phoenix Optical Technologies

Recently, renowned precision optical technology manufacturer Gooch&Housego (G&H) announced the successful acquisition of Phoenix Optical Technologies, a precision optical manufacturer located in St. Asaf, Wales, UK.

The acquisition transaction amounts to £ 6.75 million, which not only consolidates G&H's market position in the aerospace and defense sectors, but also significantly expands its influence in the UK and European defense product supply markets, moving towards the goal of becoming a key supplier of top defense products.

Phoenix Optical Technologies is renowned for its profound expertise in precision optical processes such as prisms, domes, specialized machining, and single point diamond turning (SPDT), as well as on-site production capabilities for glass forming and annealing. These capabilities will strongly support the product development of the G&H Optical Systems division.

G&H stated that this acquisition is not limited to enhancing capabilities in the aerospace and defense sectors, but will also provide broader support to customers in the industrial and life sciences markets.

Charlie Peppiatt, CEO of G&H, warmly welcomes the acquisition: "The addition of Phoenix Optical undoubtedly adds new vitality to the G&H Group. As a strong and respected supplier of precision optics in the UK, Phoenix Optical has an excellent product and service portfolio. Our combination of cutting-edge technology, professional knowledge, and efficient operational systems will undoubtedly provide customers with more outstanding optical system solutions, helping G&H become the preferred provider of optical system solutions and jointly create a better future through photonics technology.

Tony Palframan, founder and CEO of Phoenix Optical Technologies, is also looking forward to this collaboration: "We are delighted to join forces with G&H to pursue precision, quality, and innovation. With G&H's global scale and influence, we see tremendous potential to further develop our products and create more value for our customers.

This acquisition will accelerate G&H's growth pace, enhance its precision optics and optical system capabilities, and further consolidate its position as a leading supplier in the fields of optics and photonics solutions.

G&H was founded in 1948, initially focusing on the production of optical crystal devices. It is a process based optical engineering company with rich practical optical manufacturing skills. In the past 20 years, G&H has undergone a transformation towards photonics business by acquiring similar companies in a single technology field. It has consistently focused on research and manufacturing of optical devices, gradually evolving into a comprehensive optical technology company that integrates optical devices, subsystem design, and optical testing equipment. Its products are widely used in defense, life sciences, industry, scientific research, and other fields due to various reasons. Headquartered in Somerset, Ilminster, UK, with 11 factories located throughout the UK and the US. The company is renowned for its wide range of acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystalline optical, fiber optic, and precision optical products.

Phoenix Optical Technologies has been at the forefront of precision optical technology since its establishment by Tony Palframan in 1991, located in the heart of Saint Asaf, the optical manufacturing center of North Wales. For thirty years, the company has continuously adapted to the needs of technological development, providing comprehensive internal services from raw glass materials to polished and coated optical components, prisms, and assemblies, providing end-to-end solutions for the most complex needs.

In recent years, G&H has also frequently initiated acquisitions to consolidate its position and influence in the fields of optics and optoelectronics
June 2023

G&H has acquired GS Optics, a polymer optical design, manufacturing, and coating company, further developing the group's position in the aerospace, defense, and life sciences fields, while also promoting greater innovation progress within the organization.

July 19, 2023
G&H has acquired Artemis Optical, an advanced thin-film coating manufacturer. The transaction is worth £ 8.9 million ($11.5 million) and the new company will be named 'G&H | Artemis'. G&H plans to build the newly acquired factory into the group's center of excellence for coatings.

March 20th of this year
The company sold its Boston based optoelectronic company "EM4" to EMFOUR Acquisition Co. LLC for up to $12 million. Previously, in 2011, G&H acquired EM4 from the initial venture capitalists for a whopping $19 million. EM4 mainly produces active optoelectronic components and laser packaging modules (mainly used for aerospace and defense applications in the United States), as well as fused fiber couplers.

This August
Luminar Technologies, known for its laser radar sensors for autonomous vehicle, announced that it has acquired the optoelectronic components and laser module business of Gooch&Housego (G&H) to enhance its semiconductor business. This strategic initiative is part of the company's efforts to expand its business scope from the automotive industry to the aerospace and defense sectors.

Source: OFweek