A subsidiary of Scotland-based PowerPhotonic, a leader in design and manufacture of wafer scale optics for advanced lasers and optical systems, will locate manufacturing facilities and its U.S. headquarters in Sahuarita, Arizona. The project is expected to create 20 jobs.

By expanding its engineering & manufacturing footprint in the U.S. the company will be better able to support customers, particularly those in the defense sector who require U.S.- based design and manufacturing of key, high technology components and modules.

“I am delighted to announce this very significant milestone for PowerPhotonic on our journey of rapid expansion into the U.S. market,” said PowerPhotonic founder and CEO Roy McBride. “Our U.S. customer base is keen to see PowerPhotonic establish a strong U.S. presence and Southern Arizona is an excellent choice for an advanced optics company because of the strong optics community in the region.”

PowerPhotonic products are precision optical parts that are both complex to design & challenging to make. Consequently, PowerPhotonic has developed its own unique production machines that produce products from wafers of glass. These machines are quite similar in concept to some electronic semiconductor wafer systems, and also need to be operated in a “clean room” environment to eliminate dust.

“PowerPhotonic’s manufacturing facility in Sahuarita highlights Arizona’s attractiveness as a semiconductor destination,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). “We are grateful PowerPhotonic is establishing its first manufacturing facility in the U.S. in Arizona, bringing quality jobs while driving further economic activity in Southern Arizona.”

The company has signed a long term lease at the Sahuarita Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center (SAMTEC), a 32,000-square foot, multi-tenant advanced manufacturing center.

“We’re thrilled that PowerPhotonic chose the Tucson region and the Town of Sahuarita as the site for its U.S. headquarters, with high-paying jobs in engineering and manufacturing,” said Joe Snell, President & CEO, Sun Corridor Inc. “Headquartered companies become ingrained into the fabric of a community and create demand for support industries, which in turn attracts other companies. The ripple effect will be felt across our economy.”