Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that two legacy optics companies joined forces through Advanced Glass Industries’ (AGI) acquisition of Glass Fab Inc. to operate under the new brand name, EvolvOptic, reflecting their innovation to support the dynamic optics industry. EvolvOptic will be expanding operations in Rochester and is committed to creating up to 40 new jobs over the next five years. ESD is assisting the project with up to $600,000 through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for job creation commitments. Monroe County, the City of Rochester, and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also assisting with the company’s growth. The total project cost has been placed at $5.1 million.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is emerging as a global hub for the semiconductor industry. Our support for innovative companies like EvolvOptic reinforces New York’s commitment to a robust semiconductor ecosystem that’s vital to growing this important sector, boosting our economy and creating the jobs of the future statewide.”
With AGI’s legacy in Rochester starting 80 years ago and Glass Fab having just celebrated its 50th anniversary, the companies are recognized among the world’s leading suppliers of precision optical blanks – which prominent optics companies then polish and transform into lens and mirrors for an array of applications. The new company is focused on next-generation optics, producing large, complex optical components and serving New York state’s advancing semiconductor, directed energy and high-energy laser industries, while reinforcing its commitment to enhanced service and technical support for current customers.
EvolvOptic President, Ted Mooney, PhD. said, “We are excited to be entering this new chapter of New York’s leadership in optics technologies, as our targeted capability expansion will enable EvolvOptic to provide solutions for the growing, unmet needs of the optics industry, including the semiconductor industry, space- and ground-based imaging systems, directed energy, and high-energy laser research. AGI and Glass Fab — now collectively known as EvolvOptic — have been preferred partners for supplying high-quality precision blanks to leading global companies for the creation of optical lenses and instruments used in space, the medical field, and mission-critical defense. Combining our capabilities creates a stronger, more competitive optics company — with deep local roots in New York for more than 80 years and a growing global reach.”
This announcement also complements the State’s investments to build a modern economy in New York by growing a dynamic and innovative semiconductor industry and building out the vital ecosystem need to support it. In 2022, Governor Hochul signed New York’s historic Green CHIPS legislation to make New York a hub for semiconductor manufacturing, creating 21st century jobs and kick-starting economic growth while maintaining important environmental protections. As part of the FY24 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul secured a $45 million investment to create the Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration (GO-SEMI), which leads statewide efforts to develop the chipmaking sector. In December 2023, Governor Hochul announced a $10 billion public-private partnership — including $9 billion in private investment from IBM, Micron, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron and other semiconductor leaders — to bring the future of advanced semiconductor research to New York’s Capital region by creating the nation’s first and only industry accessible, High NA EUV Lithography Center at the Albany NanoTech Complex which was awarded $825 million in federal funding and was designated the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator under the CHIPS and Science Act.
State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “Our region continues to prove time and again that it is a leader nationally when it comes to optics and semiconductor manufacturing. I want to congratulate the team at EvolvOptic and I want to thank Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for their continued commitment towards embracing cutting-edge technologies that create good-paying job opportunities for the residents of Monroe County.”
State Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, “The expansion of EvolvOptic in Monroe County is a significant step forward for our region and a testament to the continued strength of Rochester’s legacy in optics and advanced manufacturing. This $5 million investment not only brings up to 40 new, high-quality jobs to our community but also strengthens our local economy by creating new opportunities for education, workforce training, and long-term career growth in high-demand, high-tech industries. EvolvOptic’s work in semiconductor technologies, directed energy, and next-generation optics will help position our region at the forefront of innovation on a global scale. It’s exciting to see companies investing in Rochester’s talent and infrastructure, and I’m especially encouraged by the potential this has to uplift underserved communities. I’m proud to support efforts like this that honor our industrial past while preparing our workforce for the future.”
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “The launch of EvolvOptic and the resulting job growth in Monroe County is a powerful testament to the strategic investments we are making at the county, state, and federal levels to position Monroe County as a national hub for semiconductors and dynamic optics. Thanks to our strong federal partnerships, the leadership of Governor Hochul, and transformative projects like the $69 million Advanced Technology Center coming to MCC—which will house the state’s first associate degree program in optics—we are laying a foundation for innovation and opportunity that will benefit our community for generations. Congratulations to the EvolvOptic team on this exciting milestone that will create high-quality jobs and drive economic growth across the region.”
City of Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans said, “Rochester has long been a global leader in optics, and the creation of EvolvOptic builds on that legacy. I’m proud to see two of our region’s leading companies join forces, combining their ingenuity to strengthen our economy and expand good-paying jobs in Monroe County. I thank Governor Hochul, and all our partners for their continued investment in our innovation economy. Developments like this are evidence that the future of optics is being built right here in Rochester.”
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Bob Duffy said, “Congratulations to Ted Mooney and the EvolvOptic team for this exciting milestone, building on the longstanding successes of AGI and Glass Fab. This announcement is an important and powerful reminder of the role that collaboration plays in expanding Greater Rochester’s reputation as a world-class hub for optics and photonics, setting our region up for continued future prosperity. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development, Monroe County, the City of Rochester, and all other partners who have helped make this possible. We look forward to continued partnership ahead to capitalize on building momentum and drive our community forward.”
Matt Hurlbutt, president and CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise said, “Advanced Glass Industries and Glass Fab Inc. are joining forces to create EvolvOptic in Rochester, NY, reinforcing this region’s world leadership as the epicenter for optics, photonics, imaging, and laser technologies. Greater Rochester has the talent, the ecosystem, and the low cost of doing business, which creates the right environment for EvolvOptic to thrive. GRE connected EvolvOptic leaders to state, county, and city leaders as well as local suppliers and will look forward to continuing to support the company’s growth plans.
For additional information about EvolvOptic, visit: https://www.evolvoptic.com/