Navitar, a manufacturer of precision optics and imaging system components, is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year. Founded by David Goldstein in 1972, Navitar has become a respected global optics leader over the past four decades. The Rochester, NY-based company will celebrate its successes over the past forty years with employee and customer appreciation events throughout the year.
‘Navitar’s success lies in both the high quality of our products and the calibre of people we employ,’ said Julian Goldstein, co-president of Navitar. ‘We are proud of our legacy and strive for continuous improvement in all we do. From our Zoom 6000 imaging lenses to our custom projection optics, quality and innovation are at the heart of our operations.’
In 1946, David Goldstein and two friends formed Elgeet Optical. In the 1950s and 1960s, Elgeet’s products were used in movie cameras, missile tracking devices, and microscopes. Twelve years later, Goldstein reorganised and Navitar was born.
The company purchased Buhl Optical (Pittsburgh, PA), which expanded offerings in the projection and video lens markets. In 2008, Special Optics in Wharton, NJ was purchased, leading to growth in Navitar’s custom lens design capabilities. And in 2011, the purchase of assets of Modulation Optics (Glen Cove, NY), including trademark rights to the Hoffman Modulation Contrast (HMC) imaging technique, allowed Navitar to increase its product offerings in the biotechnology and life science markets.
