Precision Optics Manufacturer Gooch & Housego Acquired

Recently, Gooch & Housego (G&H), a well-known precision optical technology manufacturer, announced the successful acquisition of Phoenix Optical Technologies, a precision optical manufacturer located in St Asaph, Wales, UK.
The acquisition, with a transaction value of £6.75 million (equivalent to approximately RMB 62,431,425,000), not only strengthens G&H's market position in theand defence sector, but also significantly expands its presence in the UK and European defence product supply market, and moves towards the goal of becoming a key supplier of top-tier defence products.
Phoenix Optical Technologies is known for its in-depth expertise in precision optical processes such as prisms, domes, specialised machining and single point diamond turning (SPDT), as well as on-site production capabilities for glass forming and annealing, which will support the product development of G&H's Optical Systems division.
G&H says the acquisition is not limited to strengthening itsand defence sector, but will also provide broader support to customers in the industrial and life sciences markets.
Charlie Peppiatt, G&H's chief executive, warmly welcomed the acquisition: 'The addition of Phoenix Optical undoubtedly adds a new dynamic to the G&H Group. As a strong and respected UK supplier of precision optics, Phoenix Optical has an excellent portfolio of products and services. Our combination, which blends top-notch technology and expertise with an efficient operational system, will surely provide our customers with even more superior optical system solutions, helping G&H to become the preferred optical system solution provider and work together to create a better future through photonics technology.'
Tony Palframan, Founder and CEO of Phoenix Optical Technologies, is also looking forward to the partnership: 'We are excited to join forces with G&H in our pursuit of precision, quality and innovation. With G&H's global scale and reach, we see great potential to further develop our products and create more value for our customers.'
The acquisition will accelerate G&H's growth and enhance its precision optics and optical systems capabilities, further strengthening its position as a leading provider of optical and photonic solutions.
Founded in 1948, G&H initially focused on the production of optical crystal devices as a process-based optical engineering company with extensive practical optical manufacturing skills. Over the past 20 years, through the acquisition of similar companies in a single technology area, G&H has undergone a shift to the photonics business and has been consistently engaged in the research and manufacture of optical devices, gradually evolving into today's set of optical devices, sub-systems design, optical test equipment for a comprehensive optical technology company, whose products are widely used in the field of national defence, life sciences, industry, scientific research and other fields. Headquartered in Somerset, Ilminster, UK, the company has 11 factories throughout the UK and the United States. The company is well known for its wide range of acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystalline, fibre optic and precision optical products.
Located in the heart of St Asaph, the optical manufacturing centre of North Wales, Phoenix Optical Technologies has been at the forefront of precision optical technology since it was founded in 1991 by Tony Palframan. Over the past thirty years the company has continually adapted to the demands of technological developments, offering a full range of in-house services from raw glass materials through to polished and coated finished optics, prisms and assemblies, providing an end-to-end solution for the most complex requirements.
In recent years, G&H has also launched a number of acquisitions to consolidate its position and influence in the field of optics and photonics:
June 2023
G&H acquired GS Optics, a manufacturer of polymer optics design, manufacturing and coatings, further developing the group's position in the aerospace, defence and life sciences sectors, as well as facilitating the drive for greater innovation progress within the organisation.
19th July 2023
G&H acquires Artemis Optical, a manufacturer of advanced thin film coatings, in a deal valued at £8.9m ($11.5m), with the new company to be called G&H ｜ Artemis G&H plans to establish the newly acquired facility as the group's centre of excellence for coatings.
20th March, 2024
The company sold its Boston-based optoelectronics company 'EM4' to EMFOUR Acquisition Co. LLC for up to $12 million, after G&H acquired EM4 in 2011 for up to $19 million from the original venture capitalists. EM4 manufactures active optoelectronic components and laser packaged modules, primarily forand defence applications in the US, as well as fused fibre couplers.
August this year
Luminar Technologies, known for its LIDAR sensors for self-driving cars, announced that it had acquired Gooch & Housego's (G&H) optoelectronic components and laser module business to strengthen its semiconductor business. This strategic move is part of the company's efforts to expand its reach beyond the automotive industry intoand defence.