NY Photonics and Greater Rochester Enterprise form strategic partnership

08 Sep 2017

Key aims are to leverage region’s advantages in optics technologies and to attract new business.

Greater Rochester Enterprise, an economic development organization committed to attracting new businesses to the region, and New York Photonics Industry Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the New York State optics, photonics and imaging industry, have formed a strategic alliance.

The partnership allows both organizations to leverage Greater Rochester, NY’s advantage in optics, photonics and imaging to support business attraction and expansion in the region.

“The Greater Rochester, NY region is a world leader in optics, photonics and imaging,” saidGRE interim President and CEO Matt Hurlbutt. “Our partnership with New York Photonics enhances business development efforts to leverage our region’s strengths with OPI companies across the globe.”

The Greater Rochester, NY, region has substantial experience and a record of innovation in optics manufacturing, metrology and imaging. Currently, more than 120 OPI companies employ approximately 17,000 people in the region, generating $3 billion in annual sales. The industry continues to grow, reporting a 5% to 7% annual employment increase in small and medium-sized enterprises.

’Unmatched’

“No region in the nation can match our strategic advantage in optics, photonics and imaging industries. Now is the time to work together to strategically promote our region and enhance its economic growth,” said Thomas Battley, executive director of the New York Photonics Industry Association. “This partnership between GRE and New York Photonics is what is needed now. We are delighted with the prospect of undertaking a marketing effort with GRE.”

The region also is a research and manufacturing hub supported by the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics, the Laboratory for Laser Energetics and Rochester Institute of Technology.

The University of Rochester is responsible for educating more than 60% of the optics PhDs in the USA. The region also generates a vast number of the nation’s patents in optics, photonics and imaging technologies and holds the number one spot for per capita patents in the nation. Approximately 95% of OPI patent holders still live in Rochester.

To support the partnership, both organizations will attend OPTIFAB, the optical manufacturing conference and exhibition held between October 16-19; and SPIE Photonics WEST, the world's largest photonics technologies event held on 30 Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2018.