CVI Melles Griot Buys CIOL

Photonics products supplier CVI Melles Griot announced today it has acquired Coherent Imaging Optics Ltd. (CIOL), a subsidiary of Coherent Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

CIOL, a supplier of infrared optical components for advanced thermal imaging and other electro-optic systems, is a wholly owned subsidiary of laser and optics manufacturer Coherent of Santa Clara, Calif. CIOL was founded in 1982 as Vinten Electro-Optics. It was acquired by Coherent in 1993 and integrated into its optical components division. According to the company's Web site, CIOL currently employs 70 and occupies a 35,000-sq-ft facility in Leicester, England.

"This acquisition increases our infrared optics manufacturing capacity, brings us unique coating technologies, and further strengthens our European manufacturing presence," said CVI Melles Griot CEO Stuart Schoenmann in a statement.

CVI Melles Griot said the CIOL purchase, part of an acquisition strategy that focuses on expanding its product line, enables it to meet customer demand with local manufacturing for defense contracts and provides new capabilities to manufacture infrared imaging optics and assemblies.

“We will be focused on developing our site as CVI Melles Griot’s Center of Excellence for infrared imaging optics fabrication and coatings, strengthening the business, and better serving our customers,” said Robin Henderson, managing director for CIOL, in the same statement.

Henderson will lead the new division through the integration and will report directly to Schoenmann, CVI Melles Griot said.

For more information, visit: www.cvilaser.com