PowerPhotonic Finds U.S. Home in Sahuarita

By Christy Krueger

When an international optics company was looking for a location to set up its U.S. facility, Sahuarita was the perfect choice.

PowerPhotonic started in Edinburgh, Scotland 20 years ago making precision lenses and other optical elements for high power lasers, said Mark McElhinney, CEO of the company’s U.S. facility in Sahuarita. 

“We start with a flat piece of glass and use a laser to shape the glass for optical functions needed in high-powered laser applications like shooting down drones and missiles,” he said. “The U.K. facility mostly deals with commercial applications such as laser cutting and welding for applications like automotive manufacture. One of the biggest uses for PowerPhotonic parts is in retinal imaging systems. The retinal imaging systems in an eye doctor’s office contain optics that are likely made by us.”

The U.S. operation in Sahuarita, however, mostly handles defense applications. “We support U.S. defense and big government labs,” McElhinney said. Customers include Raytheon and other defense companies in California, Colorado and Texas. “We’re in the center of our customers and there is a skill base here we can use.”

McElhinney previously worked in Tucson for Leonardo Electronics, a manufacturer of laser components and a customer of PowerPhotonic U.K., so he was already familiar with the Scottish company and was hired to open and operate a Tucson subsidiary. Tucson was initially selected to be the company’s U.S. location because of its proximity to defense clients.

“When we started our search in 2022, there weren’t a lot of places the right size,” McElhinney said. “We were looking for a space of 15,000 square feet and there wasn’t much in Tucson of that size. We widened our search and our realtor suggested a new facility in Sahuarita, established to attract high technology companies – SAMTEC (Sahuarita Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center).”

For McElhinney and PowerPhotonic employees, it was a great fit – they were still in Southern Arizona and close to defense clients. “It was 14,000 square feet and easily configurable. We worked with a local architecture company who helped us design and we built the clean room. It was operating by March 2023. We told the architect we wanted a European feel; inside there’s aluminum and glass, bright colors, a modern feel. Everything is clean and bright. It feels like the U.K. facility,” he said.

As far as the town itself and the people, McElhinney has all positives to say. “The town is very supportive. Mayor Murphy helped us set up and made us feel welcome. Sahuarita wanted to bring high-tech companies to the town to broaden the local employment base. It was a great fit for both of us. Engagement with the town helped us develop a feeling of place. We wanted a sense of belonging, we wanted to engage with the community. That was a great advantage of locating in Sahuarita. We could develop a company culture that felt welcoming and friendly.”

PowerPhotonic has 10 employees, some of whom live in Sahuarita, he noted. “That’s important to have them live here locally in Sahuarita.”

In order to connect with other like businesses in the region, PowerPhotonic belongs to Optics Valley. Optics Valley refers to the Southern Arizona optical cluster that is home to a high concentration of optics companies, many originating at UA. It is also a trade association for members. 

McElhinney believes the business climate of Sahuarita is forward-thinking. “Sahuarita is trying to encourage other companies like us to come here. We expect more technology companies to come to Sahuarita.” 

He feels the town is very engaged with growing the community while also being welcoming, supportive and enthusiastic. “I can’t stress how supportive they’ve been.” And the mayor is right up there. During construction inside PowerPhotonic’s space, McElhinney didn’t have a place to sit down and work. “So the mayor offered me his office,” he recounted.

Pictured above – Mark McElhinney, CEO, PowerPhotonic. Photo by Brent G. Mathis

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