A Scotland-based optics company plans to set up its first U.S. manufacturing operation at Sahuaritaβs town-owned technology business park.
PowerPhotonic, a maker of optics for advanced lasers and optical systems based in Dalgety Bay, has signed a long-term lease for manufacturing facilities in the Sahuarita Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center (SAMTEC) on South La CaΓ±ada Drive in Sahuarita.
The company is leasing 14,000 square feet at SAMTEC, where it plans to have five employees by the end of 2022 and employ 20 workers when it reaches full production, according to terms of a 10-year lease approved by the Sahuarita Town Council on Feb. 28.
Annual salaries at PowerPhotonic are expected to average $125,000 initially and about $90,000 at full production.
The company will pay annual base rent of $109,200 with 3% annual increases, and the town has agreed to reimburse the company up to $430,000 for initial tenant improvements and up to $630,000 for additional improvements including construction of a clean room, according to town documents.
PowerPhotonic says that by expanding its engineering and manufacturing footprint in the U.S., it will be better able to support customers including defense contractors that require U.S.-based design and manufacturing of key high-tech components.
PowerPhotonic founder and CEO Roy McBride said the choice of Sahuarita as a U.S. base was driven by the regionβs strength in optics, which includes the University of Arizonaβs highly ranked James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences and a cadre of optics companies that form Optics Valley.
