IDEX Health & Science to create Optical Center of Excellence

The company plans to lease close to 100,000 square-feet in a newly constructed facility in New York and will create up to 34 full-time jobs with 186 positions retained as a result of state investment.

It expects to break ground on the Optical Center of Excellence this fall with completion of construction expected in 2018.   

The center will bring together the Semrock and Melles Griot Rochester businesses that does optical filters, lenses, shutters and optical assemblies, as well as manufacturing operations in Melles Griot Carlsbad, California that specializes in laser light sources and integrated optical systems.

Gus Salem, group president of IDEX Health & Science, said the Optics Center of Excellence will allow it to advance in life science optics and optical assemblies.

“We selected the Rochester area for our new facility due to its strong history in optics technology and its base of people, universities and supporting businesses.​ We are pleased we can maintain our base of existing employees and business functions in the Finger Lakes Region.​

“Additionally, we will be establishing a commercial, research, and development center for innovation in Carlsbad, California, that will enable continued growth in illumination technology and optomechanical assemblies.”​

To encourage IDEX Health & Science to expand operations in New York State, Empire State Development will provide up to $2.4m in exchange for job creation commitments.

IDEX Health & Science will install machinery and equipment with cleanroom space on-site.

The firm will initially occupy 83,000 square-feet with plans for future expansion.

Products include connections, valves, pumps, degassers, column hardware, microfluidics, consumables, integrated fluidic assemblies, filters, lenses, shutters, laser sources and integrated optical assemblies.

"The Finger Lakes is a growing global hub for the optics, photonics and imaging industries helping to spur economic growth and create jobs across the region,"​ said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.