Fiber-optics boom escalates Thermo RGL's production

17 Jun 2002

US-based diffraction-grating manufacturer expands to meet increasing fiber-optics demand.

ThermoRGL is extending its 'High-Volume Production Facility' (HiFAC) to meet the huge demand for diffraction gratings in the fiber-optics telecoms industry.

"The first phase of HiFAC was completed last year and now produces more than 1000 gratings per month for telecoms customers," said president and chief scientist of Thermo RGL, Christopher Palmer. "Our growth projections were too conservative so we are embarking on the second expansion phase to meet projected shipments."

Expecting the latest expansion to double current capacity by the end of 2001, Palmer added, "Establishing and expanding HiFAC are crucial components to becoming the preferred diffraction-grating manufacturer to OEMs in the fiber-optic telecoms market."

Thermo RGL plans to shift its manufacturing operations to just outside its current location, Rochester, US, to make room for the extra capacity.