Two years after signing lease with Ozzy Properties, maker of infrared optical elements enjoys growth at Osgood Landing site

North Andover, Mass., Dec. 22, 2009 – Ophir Optics, Inc., makers of infrared optical products for military uses and other applications, today announced it is expanding its facility at Osgood Landing in North Andover by nearly 20 percent and has increased its workforce by more than 50 percent since moving here two years ago.

“This is certainly very positive news for us,” said Dennis Cope, president of Ophir Optics. “We’ve been fortunate to be in some good markets, which allows us to provide solid products for our customers while growing our workforce.”

Cope said the expansion is being driven largely by defense-related work orders. Ophir manufactures lenses and optical components for use in infrared optical systems, including night vision equipment used in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cope said Osgood Landing has the necessary infrastructure that allows the company to create critical products. “Osgood Landing has proven to be an ideal site for us because of its significant electrical capacity required to manufacture various infrared optical products,” said Cope.

In December 2007, Ophir Optics signed a multi-year lease with Ozzy Properties to occupy a 32,000-square-foot space on the grounds of Osgood Landing. At that time, the company had 72 workers. The expansion will allow Ophir to grow by about 20 percent by end of February. The company also now employs 111 workers, a 54 percent increase.

“In this economy, we always like to know that there’s some light at the end of the tunnel,” said Curt Bellavance, community development director for the town of North Andover. “It’s also reassuring to know we have owners here at Osgood Landing who continue to fill up space with new and existing tenants.”

Ophir Optics’ arrival marked the first tenant to occupy space in Bell Labs’ research and development facility at the 1600 Osgood St. site in North Andover. Cope anticipates occupying the entire first floor of that facility by end of February.
Although the majority of Ophir’s current customers are defense-related, there are a growing number of non-military uses such as homeland security, automotive night vision and industrial applications.

Ozzy Properties President Orit Goldstein said Ophir’s growth signals hope for other companies seeking to expand in the rebounding economy. “At a time when businesses continue to struggle, Ophir’s expansion is a hopeful sign for the Osgood Landing facility but also for the larger business climate throughout the Merrimack Valley,” said Goldstein.

In addition to Ophir’s expansion, other companies at Osgood Landing have seen modest expansions recently. The main logistics center for Nexamp, Inc., a full service clean energy solutions company; and Panel Claw, Inc., which develops photovoltaic mounting solutions, have grown at the Osgood site.

“We’re seeing more activity at Osgood Landing as well as more market activity in general,” said Goldstein. “Those are clearly positive economic signs.”

Osgood Landing, an office and manufacturing complex made up of nearly 2 million square feet, was formerly occupied by Lucent Technologies. Ozzy Properties acquired the half-century-old building in 2003 and continues to reconfigure it for multi-tenant use.

About Ophir Optics, Inc.
Ophir Optics, Inc., founded in 2003, manufactures a wide variety of infrared optical elements and optical lens assemblies for extensive military use as well as for non-military use such as homeland security, automotive night vision and industrial applications. For more information, contact Ophir Optics at 1-800-820-0814 or visit  www.ophiropticsinc.com.