The Danish scientific instrumentation leader FOSS just made a big move into the optics and photonics space by acquiring Wasatch Photonics. Wasatch specializes in high-performance spectrometers and transmission gratings.
This deal is worth DKK 250 million (about $38.8 million), making it one of the largest acquisitions in FOSS’s nearly 70-year run. It’s a sign of how the industry keeps shifting toward integrating photonics into measurement and automation tech.
Wasatch Photonics, founded in 2002 in Utah, supplies advanced optical components. Their tech finds its way into everything from medical diagnostics to defense, so they’re a solid fit for FOSS’s growing tech lineup.
A Strategic Diversification for FOSS
FOSS built its name on analytical solutions for agriculture, feed, and food production. They’ve helped push food security and efficiency worldwide, with tools for everything from grain analysis to dairy testing.
Buying Wasatch Photonics signals a clear shift — FOSS is stepping into a high-growth field where data precision rules. They’re betting that photonics can push their innovation beyond what they’ve traditionally done.
From Agriculture to Advanced Optics
Headquartered in Hillerød, Denmark, FOSS employs over 1,400 people globally. That scale gives them what they need to bring a company like Wasatch Photonics into the fold.
Now, FOSS can tap into optical tech for all kinds of applications, including:
- High-resolution spectroscopy for industrial and biomedical analysis
- Photonic components in laser manufacturing and materials processing
- Advanced sensing systems for defense and security
- Next-generation automation and data-driven process control
Introducing FOSS Photonics
To handle this new direction, FOSS will fold Wasatch Photonics into a dedicated division called FOSS Photonics. The idea is to encourage collaboration among their optical companies, but let each keep its own way of working.
That independence matters, especially for preserving the innovative vibe that’s made Wasatch Photonics stand out. With this, FOSS adds a fourth optics-focused company to its growing network—pretty clear they’re in photonics for the long haul.
Leadership and Vision
Kim Vejlby Hansen, CEO of FOSS, will also chair Wasatch Photonics’ board. He wants to blend advanced optical technologies with FOSS’s existing instruments to solve tough measurement problems across industries.
On the Wasatch side, CEO David Creasey points to a strong strategic and cultural fit between the two companies. They both want to keep innovation and quality at the center of what they do.
Riding the Industry Wave
This acquisition is part of a bigger trend—analytical instrumentation companies are moving toward photonics solutions to meet rising demands for precision and automation. Photonics brings speed, accuracy, and non-invasive sampling, which works well for sectors that need real-time data.
By putting serious resources into optical tech, FOSS gains new tools and a shot at leading the intersection of photonics and analytical instruments. It’s a bold move, honestly.
Implications for Global Technology Markets
Photonics is fast becoming a backbone of industrial and scientific progress. Bringing Wasatch Photonics into FOSS could shake up more than just their own operations.
Better optical measurement systems might push medical diagnostics forward, catching diseases earlier and more accurately. In manufacturing, improved spectroscopy could streamline quality checks, cut waste, and boost productivity. These upgrades line up with global goals around efficiency, sustainability, and tech advancement.
Final Thoughts
I’ve watched major industry shifts for three decades, and honestly, this acquisition jumps out to me. It’s a landmark for FOSS, sure, but it also signals just how important photonics has become in scientific instrumentation.
Integrating advanced optics into analytical systems really changes the game. You get deeper insights, faster results—plus, automation gets a whole lot smarter.
With FOSS Photonics coming together, this blend of expertise could spark breakthroughs in all sorts of fields. I wouldn’t be surprised if it sets new benchmarks for precision and performance before long.
Here is the source article for this story: FOSS Expands into Photonics with Acquisition of Wasatch Photonics