In This Issue
- Annual Meeting
- Conferences
- Open Houses
- Company Moves
- Educational Outreach
- VC Corner
RRPC Board Elections
Get Your Ballots In!
RRPC voting members ought to have received the ballots for this year's
election the week of March 21.
Completed ballots must be received no later than 5:00PM, Friday April
4th.
If your company's primary contact for RRPC business did not receive
a ballot, contact The Rivers Organization immediately at (585) 385-6053.
The nominees are:
- Chris Cotton, ASE Optics
- William Greener, Bond, Schoeneck & King
- John Hart, Lumetrics
- Katherine Kamenecka, Corning
- Gregg Sadwick, JML Optical
- Paul Tolley, Syntec Optics
New directors will be announced at the annual meeting on April 23.
Sydor Completes Facilities Consolidation
Sydor Optics, specializing in the fabrication of precision flat-surfaced
parallel and wedged optics, announced they have completed the relocation
of their final satellite operation, the CaF2/MgF2 laser optics fabrication
shop, into their newly expanded facility in Rochester, NY. The laser optics
shop, located in Fairport, NY, moved into the company’s headquarters
located at 31 Jet View Drive in Rochester, NY on March 26, completing
the consolidation of all operations.
After purchasing the 28,000 sq. ft. facility in 2007, Sydor Optics renovated
the building and moved their optics fabrication operation and their Instruments
group to the new location in June of 2007. With the recent completion
of a 12,000 sq. ft. addition, the consolidation project is concluded.
In preparation for long-term growth, Sydor Optics has also purchased the
adjacent 23,500 sq. ft. building.
As a result of the recent facilities expansion, as well as their latest
investment in capital equipment, Sydor Optics is well positioned to continue
their record breaking growth of over 200% over the past three years. “It’s
a good time to be in the optics business”, states company President
Jim Sydor. “The entire industry is busy and this is reflected in
the volume of business we have been experiencing here at Sydor. We now
have plenty of room to take on more large volume opportunities and to
expand our operations as needed” says Sydor.
Sydor's move was assisted, in part, by Monroe County Economic Development
and COMIDA.
Market Expansion Again for Squiggle
New Scale Increases Market With Agreement
New Scale Technologies, Inc. has expanded its SQUIGGLE motor license
agreement with Tamron Co., Ltd. (www.tamron.co.jp), a leading global manufacturer
of high-precision optics and optical assemblies.
The new multimillion dollar agreement extends and expands Tamron's license
to use New Scale's patented piezoelectric SQUIGGLE motor - the world's
smallest linear motor. The new agreement grants Tamron a license to manufacture
SQUIGGLE motors and integrate them into Tamron products at its high-volume
precision manufacturing facilities in Japan and other parts of Asia. Tamron
may also produce SQUIGGLE motors as a contract manufacturer for New Scale
as needed.
Tamron has a 50-year history of precision, high-volume manufacturing
and a reputation for high quality. New Scale will continue to produce
SQUIGGLE motors at its Victor, NY manufacturing facility with a production
capacity of up to 100,000 motors per month, for applications including
research, electronic locks and medical devices. Collaboration with Tamron
extends that capacity for high-volume consumer products such as mobile
phone cameras.
"Our successful collaboration with Tamron has allowed New Scale
to make inroads into the mobile phone camera market, and this expanded
agreement is a key part of our strategy to meet this market's demand for
millions of tiny motors per month," said Ted Franceschi, co-CEO and
chief development officer at New Scale. "It is another milestone
in our build-up of global manufacturing and supply chain capabilities
for SQUIGGLE motors, both at our US manufacturing center and at our partners'
facilities close to customers around the world."
Tamron is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSC- Section 1). "
Call for Papers
Technical Conference: October 19–23, 2008
OSA's Annual Meeting: Frontiers in Optics (FiO) 2008, the longest-standing
meeting in optics and photonics, will once again be held in Rochester,
New York this year. Colocated with the meeting is the American Physical
Society's (APS) annual meeting, Laser Science XXIV.
The meeting is also the occasion of OSA's Fall Optics & Photonics
Congress. Submission deadline for papers is May 19th for all three segments
of the Congress:
8th Annual Golf Tourney
Spread the word! The 8th annual WNY Photonics Golf Tournament will be
held on July 17th at Shadow Lake and Shadow Pines Golf Clubs in Penfield
NY.
Last year's event raised $14,500 for a total thusfar of $43K to benefit
the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. 
The participation from WNY photonics companies, their suppliers and and
friends, as well as companies from as far away as Opto Sigma in California
made the event another rousing success. Ron and Diane Schulmerich are
looking for volunteer committee members to help organize this year's event.
The organization of the tourney has become more challenging each year
with the increasing participation. They are in of a need of a little help
from their friends!! We also want to get an early start on soliciting
larger corporate sponsors this year.
Contact them at wnyoptics@rochester.rr.com or
585-663-7230 if you are interested in volunteering for the Optics Industry's
largest networking event of the year.
Speaking of Golf:
New Photonics Golf League!
Carol Corey of Sydor Optics and Ron Schulmerich of Angstrom Precision
Optics are organizing a Photonics Golf League at Shadow Lake. After contacting
the area courses, there were limited options for time slots. As a result,
they've selected Friday nights after 5:00 and are looking for people who
would be interested in participating.
The league season will last from May 9 to August 22, however with the
Friday night slot, we'll be able to golf longer if we desire. We will
also be alternating between the front and back nine each week. Those of
you who have participated in the annual WNY Optics/Photonics Golf Tournament
at Shadow Lake, know what a great facility it is. It would be a wonderful
opportunity to come out and golf as well as get to know other folks from
the local industry.
The cost per person is $23 per week per person; $6 extra per week for
a cart
Those amounts include a $5.00/week fee that will be applied towards
an end of season tournament and dinner.
If you are interested please contact Carol at 585-271-7300 or Ron at
585-663-7230. Sign-ups will be based upon a first-come, first-serve basis
with full payment due by no later than April 18.
Events and Conferences
SUNY CAT Hosting Dinner /Showcase
Rensselaer Polytech's Center for Automation Technologies and Systems
(CATS) will host its annual Technology Showcase and Dinner
Wednesday, April 30
4:00pm - 8:00pm
Russell Sage Dining Hall
RPI Campus, Troy, NY.
A technical poster session and reception will be held from 4:00-6:00
p.m. featuring a broad range of Center activities and technologies.
The dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. Edward Reinfurt, Executive Director
of the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation
(NYSTAR), will be the speaker.
Attendees call or e-mail Jeanette Young
(youngj4[at]rpi.edu, 518-276-874
CCMR Facilities Open to Visitors
Facilities Overview for Regional Businesses
The Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) will host "Facilities
101."
Tuesday, April 8
9:30am - 4:00pm
701 Clark Hall, Cornell campus
Cost: $100
To register or access further information visit the CCMR website here.
Attendees will learn how to access CCMR's extensive materials testing
resources to help solve problems and increase competitiveness.
CLEO / QELS / PhAST 2008
4 - 9 May, 2008
San Jose, California
Conference
MD&M East
2 - 5 June, 2008
Jacob K. Javits Center
New York, New York
Conference
Optatec 2008
17 - 20 June, 2008
Frankfurt, Germany
Conference
OSA Annual Frontiers in Optics
2008
19 - 23 October, 2008
Rochester, NY
Riverside Convention Center
Optifab
11 - 14 May, 2009
Early Bird Contract, due February 15
here.
Rochester, NY
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Save the Date!
RRPC Annual Meeting
Special Guest panel,
Entrepreneurship and Optics
3:30pm - 5:30pm
featuring:
- John Bruning, Corning Corporation
- Stephen Fantone, President & CEO
Optikos (Wakefield, MA)
- N. Darius Sankey, Managing Partner
Zone Ventures (Los Angeles, CA)
- Dick Kaplan, President & CEO
Pictometry International (Rochester, NY)
- Turan Erdogan, Chief Technology Officer
Semrock (Rochester, NY)
Panel Moderated by Duncan Moore,
Rudolf & Hilda Kingslake Professor of Optical Engineering
Professor of Optics, Biomedical Engineering and Business Administration
Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship
University of Rochester
This year's Annual Meeting includes a late afternoon
panel discussion with entrepreneurs from the Optics and imaging fields,
moderated by Duncan Moore. The combined events, with your support, will
also be a fundraiser.
Here is how it works:
As a New York Photonics / RRPC member, each company
gets one free ticket. Additonally, e are encouraging all members to purchase
tickets and invite colleagues from outside the industry, and we are sending
out a suggested list of invitees just in case. This event will have broad
appeal to people from the tech, finance and economic development communities
and we want to make sure they get invited.
One registration is $45; five are$195. And of course,
the tickets can be business-expensed because you are also wining and dining
your guests.
- Host business colleagues
- Show off the industry
- Make a donation to the RRPC fundraiser
RRPC networking reception and Annual Meeting:
5:30pm - 7:30pm
including:
Announcement of new RRPC Board
RRPC Business
Panel Recap
Help make this our most successful Annual Meeting to-date!
Go
to Calendar and register on-line here.
Download
and print registration form here.
Thanks to this year's sponsors:
Optics Program Seeking Adjunct Faculty
 Monroe
Community College is home of both an Associate's degree program for opticians
and an advanced manufacturing program where technicians can learn about
optics manufacturing techniques. The College is looking for adjunct faculty
to teach in both programs. If you or someone you know might be interested,
both the College and the Industry need your help!
To look at the available position click here.
- Then select "search postings"
- From Search Postings select "Adjunct Faculty, Optical Technology"
from the drop down menu
- Click "Search"
You will then be able to view and apply for the position.
Industry Educational Outreach
Schools, Teachers & Students Talk Optics
March was a busy month for outreach between schools and the Optics Industry
in the Rochester region. MCC held its first "Hot Jobs Career Night"
on Thursday, March 20th and Michael Mandina from Optimax was a guest speaker.
On Wednesday, March 26th, Sydor Optics hosted The Rochester Area Career
Education Collaborative and some twenty teachers from around the region
interested in learning about the Optics Industry. Mike Mandina of Optimax
and Bob Novak from MCC shared presentation duties.
On Thursday, the 27th, The Monroe County School-To-Work initiative and
RIT hosted over 100 students and their teachers for a multi-track workshop
covering education and career opportunities in Optics & Imaging, Information
Technology, Biosciences and Hospitality. Joe Pow from RIT's School of
Imaging Sciences led the Optics & Imaging portion of the workshop.
Science teachers from the Greece Athena School District
learn about diamond turning from an expert at Rochester Precision Optics
Friday, March 28th saw 16 science teachers from the Greece Athena School
District touring Rochester Precision Optics in order to learn more about
careers where physics, mathematics, science, and engineering are crucial
for success. Thanks to Bill Hurley, Ed Patton and all of the crew at RPO,
and Kathy Schindler from Greece Athena Schools for making that tour happen.
Thanks are also due to the OSA for promotional materials that were shared
with students and teachers last week.
You can host events and participate in events such as these to promote
both your company and our industry. If you are interested, drop an email
to Tom Battley at the email address on the bottom of this newsletter.
VC Corner
Preparing for the Storm
Perhaps I'm a bit contrarian because I don't believe we're going to
experience a severe economic downturn. (I even refuse to use the "R"
word.) But I have enough practical business and investment experience
to know that this is an opportune moment to prepare for one and take precautionary
measures to insure that your company isn't excessively harmed by it. In
a sense, make that trip to the supermarket and hardware store to stock
up on water, candles and other supplies in case the storm does hit.
As a venture capitalist, I was an active investor during two severe
downturns - the credit crisis in 1990-91 and the dot-com/telecom meltdown
during 2001-02. My advice is the product of numerous firsthand encounters
that were costly and painful.
It is always preferable to prepare beforehand by assuming that your
company will experience a material sales shortfall. When preparing or
reviewing your '08 - '09 budget, produce several scenarios assuming with
a 10% and 25% revenue shortfall. In each case, determine how you will
pare back costs (or defer them) in order to assure your long-term viability.
I encourage you also to identify how many of those expenses were incurred
during the recent period of prosperity - and perhaps you will conclude
that some belt tightening indeed makes sense now. Larger companies are
usually guilty of incurring excess expenses when the economy is healthy;
entrepreneurs are generally better at managing costs when times are good.
A word of caution: treat client relationships as the family jewels. Cutbacks
that will have a direct effect upon the client experience should be avoided
if possible. That means areas like new product development and training
should be targeted first.
Postpone any long-term commitments or investments if possible. If you've
been contemplating a move to a larger, more costly facility and are in
a position to postpone that decision, you may be best served by hanging
tight. Not only will you preserve cash, you may benefit if the real estate
market softens. That holds true for certain capital and IT purchases,
too.
Consider what you will do if you face a major reduction in cash flow.
Where are your alternative capital sources in a moment of need? Remember,
the economy is cyclical, so there is always an upturn after a downturn.
How are you going to have enough cash to make it through the downturn?
In the event you need additional liquidity, do you have a line of credit?
What are your borrowing sources? Do your investors have the ability to
fund the company? Do you? There are some traditional and creative sources
of capital to get you through this. Banks fall into the former category.
Make sure your banking relationship is in good order. Have you been in
regular contact with your loan officer sharing reliable financial information?
Have you had conversations with your investors about how they might support
you in a pinch?
Running a company is about the most demanding and rewarding occupation
- other than raising a child. It is management's responsibility to plan
for the future and abide by the parental advice that "an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Richard A. Glaser is a financial advisor at
a major securities firm. You can send him an email here.
Contact RRPC
New York Photonics and the Rochester Regional Photonics
Cluster are active and growing collaborative organizations. Efforts are
under way on joint training events, workforce development, collaborative
advertising opportunities, promoting the commercialization of I.P., and
the development of our website to further facillitate business development.
Join us! There are advantages to working together, and
we are interested in working with you. Send an email to us at membership@rrpc-ny.org.
To subscribe, to unsubscribe, to submit a news item or upcoming event,
to suggest a feature or column, or to offer feedback, contact Tom
Battley, at 585-329-4029.
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