Employee-owned since its founding in Ohio in 1999, Kent Optronics is a privately held research and development company led by founder Dr. Le Li. Based in Hopewell Junction with a field office in Kent, Ohio, it creates liquid-crystal electro-optical solutions for government and commercial customers in photonics and related fields, with a particular record in infrared scene projection.
AlphaMicron, IncFounded in Kent in 1996 by three professors, AlphaMicron develops and manufactures liquid-crystal photonics that control light, best known for its e-Tint® technology and rapid tint-changing eyewear. The company grew from a research effort for U.S. Air Force fighter displays into a vertically integrated operation serving military, consumer and industrial applications, with its eyewear approved for the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List. Its Kent facility combines laboratories, cleanrooms, design and prototyping, and ISO 9001-compliant testing and production.KENT, OH
Lumitek International, IncIncorporated in 1997 and employee-owned, Lumitek International develops and manufactures photonic products, including phosphor-based infrared and UV visualizers and electroluminescent lamps. Its sensor cards make otherwise invisible radiation visible as a localized glow, while its thin, flexible lamps are made to order for applications such as aircraft instrument-panel and display backlighting. The Ijamsville company also produces matching power supplies and tests every lamp individually for performance and conformance.IJAMSVILLE, MD
Black River Systems CompanyFounded in 1996 by two groups of engineers, Black River Systems grew from a small research team into an employee-owned company with more than 100 staff members. The Utica-based firm is known for moving advanced sensing work from research into fielded systems, particularly for government and defense customers, while its employee ownership—established through an ESOP in 2022—keeps the engineers who build and support those systems invested in the result.BEAVERCREEK TOWNSHIP, OH
Avo PhotonicsFounded in 2003 by physicist Joseph L. Dallas, Avo Photonics designs, develops, and manufactures optoelectronic products for customers who retain ownership of their intellectual property. The Philadelphia-area contract manufacturer works from concept through scalable U.S. production, with a 40,000-square-foot cleanroom facility and a strict confidentiality model that keeps Avo from competing with its clients. Avo is ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 certified and ITAR registered.HORSHAM, PA