A clear vision Opticoelectron Group

A CLEAR VISION

Innovative optomechanical and optoelectronic devices specialist Opticoelectron Group JSC is leading the way in high-quality, technically advanced products and systems. Emma-Jane Batey spoke to the commercial director, Mrs Tsvetana Donova, to find out how this is being achieved.

Founded in Bulgaria in 1999 as the successor of the state-owned company Opticoelectron, which was established in 1971, Opticoelectron Group JSC is a private joint-stock company. The biggest Bulgarian producer of optomechanical and optoelectronic devices and systems for the defence, medical, device-building and machine-building industries, Opticoelectron today enjoys a strong footing in both military and civil applications worldwide.

Located in the Bulgarian city of Panagyurishte, 90km south-east of the capital Sofia, Opticoelectron is primarily focused on, the export of its products, with more than 97 per cent of its production sold outside its domestic market. Commercial director Mrs Tsvetana Donova told Industry Europe, “We sell our products worldwide, but we have a strong focus on central and western Europe. We also have strong activities in the Near East and the USA, with all these markets and others representing positive business development for the future.”

The Opticoelectron product range sees a range of optomechanical and optoelectronic devices and systems designed and manufactured to the highest quality. Its core products are anti-aircraft and ground artillery sights for firing both in daytime and nighttime, day and night optical sights, laser rangefinders, laser target designators, optical systems for armoured vehicles, video observation and surveillance systems. All the products which are used in military applications adhere to the incredibly strict NATO standards, including the ‘NATO Secret’ certification of registry.

Mrs Donova continued, “It is imperative for the continued success of Opticoelectron that all of our customers – which include some very high profile yet discreet organisations – can rely totally on every aspect of our equipment. We have been ISO9001:2000 certified since 2001 and certified according to the NATO Standard AQAP 2110, and we are fully committed to maintaining total control across our design, development and manufacturing processes.” This total control is well supported by Opticoelectron’s closed cycle of production a process which utilises the company’s advanced technology for design and manufacture as well as giving customers valuable peace of mind regarding the privacy of their requirements. Mrs Donova explained, “The closed cycle of production starts right from the research and development phase up to the production process and through to marketing, promoting and trading the finished products. We have our own industrial park which is 260,000m2 , of which 108,000m2 is dedicated to our production facilities.”

Opticoelectron has seven production plants, with each one dedicated to a certain production facility. There is a plant for mechanical parts, a plant for optics, a plant for tooling and equipment and one for the assembly division, which all work together to deliver the high quality, carefully designed and manufactured optomechanical and

optoelectronic devices and systems that carry the respected Opticoelectron brand. In order to maintain this respected reputation for excellence, the company is continually investing in its activities and facilities, with its latest improvements including advance testing equipment, climate chambers for climate tests, laminar boxes, coating machines and metal processing machines.

Such investment will certainly play a part in enabling Opticoelectron to meet its ambitious growth plans over the coming years. Mrs Donova added, “We are specifically aiming to expand our market share in North America as we believe this represents a key market for us going forward. We know there are considerable opportunities for existing and potential customers to benefit from our technically advanced product range so we are focusing our business development activities in this region. We also see strong possibilities for continued growth in Asia and across Europe, particularly central Europe, so we intend to utilise our excellent sales team in order to bring our products to new customers.”

With Opticoelectron’s growth strategy highlighting its intention to expand organically, it looks as though it will gain new market share worldwide and expand its customer base in Europe and the USA, as well as increasing output per customer. With the demand for such high-tech devices and systems predicted to continue with its upward trend, Opticoelectron is likely to perform well in 2012 and beyond. The continually growing product range is well-supported by a strong team of highly skilled employees with backgrounds ranging from defence specialists to electromechanical engineers, all of whom work closely together to create and build brand-new products that not only showcase their talents but also keep Opticoelectron at the top of its game worldwide.

Mrs Donova concluded, “We will add new products to our already extensive range in the near future too, as our R&D teams are constantly working on creating new devices that meet the exceptionally demanding applications required by our customers. Our idea is to develop new products based on our newly invested machines and to see a return on our investment. We believe all these actions together will enable us to achieve our goal of winning the coveted prize of ‘The Most Innovative Company of South-Eastern Europe 2012’.” n