Gooch & Housego (G&H), provider of advanced photonics solutions, has announced the purchase of Phoenix Optical Technologies, a precision optics manufacturer, based in St. Asaph, Wales.
The strategic move, valued to be costing up to £6.75 million, significantly strengthens G&H's position in the aerospace and defence sectors, while expanding its footprint in the UK and European markets.
Jamie Pindard, Senior Director of Global Sales and Business Development, Optical Systems, G&H, said: “We have acquired a business which already had a strong foothold in these markets, and whose capabilities align perfectly with our optical systems strategy. By combining our expertise, we’re in an even stronger position to support our customers with the high-quality, reliable solutions they expect, giving them confidence in our capacity to meet their growing demands.”
Elevating capabilities and expanding reach
Phoenix Optical Technologies, founded in 1991, is renowned for its expertise in the manufacturing of precision optical components, such as prisms, domes, specialist machining and single point diamond turning. These capabilities are hoped to complement and enhance the offerings of G&H's Optical Systems division, enabling the company to provide cutting-edge optical systems solutions to customers in aerospace, defence, industrial and life sciences markets.
Charlie Peppiatt, CEO of G&H, expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating: “I am delighted to welcome Phoenix to the G&H Group. Phoenix is a highly capable, well-regarded British precision optics supplier with a strong portfolio of products and services. Together we will be able to better solve our customers’ most complex optical systems requirements.”
Pindard also added: “Now, with our teams and expertise fully aligned, our customers gain the advantage of a broader skill set and deeper experience across these projects. The result is a more comprehensive service, where customers can tap into the unique capabilities of both G&H and Phoenix in aerospace and defence applications. We’re excited to continue these efforts with an even stronger foundation, providing the high-quality, specialised optical solutions that these demanding fields require.”
In addition to its expertise in precision optics, Phoenix Optical Technologies offers onsite capabilities for the moulding and annealing of glass, broadening the scope of G&H’s capabilities in both custom manufacturing and material processing. These developments are expected to further bolster G&H's ability to meet the demanding needs of defence primes, as well as expand its reach into other high-tech sectors.
Tony Palframan, founder and CEO of Phoenix Optical Technologies, also welcomed the acquisition, stating: “We are excited to join forces with G&H, a company that shares our commitment to precision, quality and innovation. By combining our expertise with G&H’s global scale and reach, we see tremendous opportunities to further develop our offerings and bring even more value to our customers.”
Pindard also explained that this acquisition of Phoenix Optical Technologies is evidence of G&H’s commitment to secure, reliable supply for our customers and partners, such as the UK, Europe, the U.S., NATO and allied nations. It is seen as a move that will allow G&H to continue to offer fully integrated, end-to-end solutions, such as electro-optical-mechanical design and component fabrication, among other developments.
Building on other strategic market moves
This latest strategic move follows the acquisition of polymer optics manufacturer GS Optics last year. At the time, Peppiatt commented on the purchase saying: “This strategic investment aligns with our long-term growth strategy to become an innovative customer-focused technology company.”
G&H has made strategic investments in other areas of optics, such as its purchase of thin-film coatings developer, Artemis Optical. G&H claim to have selected Artemis Optical as an opportunity due to its state-of-the-art facilities and highly skilled team. The investment was seen to complement G&H's acquisition of GS Optics, further advancing the group’s position in the aerospace, defence and life sciences sectors at the same time, while fostering greater innovation within the organisation.
G&H has also streamlined its operations with the recent sale of its Boston-based EM4 optoelectronics subsidiary in a deal valued at up to $12 million. The divestment took place at the time following a G&H review, which examined how the business would consolidate its aerospace and defence portfolio as part of a broader strategic realignment. At the time, Pappiatt said the company’s strategy was focused on filling gaps in coating, complex systems assembly, as well as G&H’s life science footprint.
