LaCroix Precision Optics just announced a big expansion at its Batesville facility. The company, known for high-precision optical products, plans to invest $13.8 million and add 107 jobs over the next five years.
This move responds to rising customer demand and highlights the need to bring critical supply chains back to the U.S. With new equipment and a fresh 10-year military contract, LaCroix aims to strengthen its position as a leader in precision optics manufacturing.
It’s a pretty big deal for both the industry and the Batesville community.
Key Highlights of the Batesville Expansion
LaCroix’s upcoming expansion shows its drive for growth and innovation. The company will add an 18,000-square-foot facility to keep up with customer needs and use advanced manufacturing methods to boost domestic production.
Investing in Innovation and Job Creation
This $13.8 million investment isn’t just about money—it’s a chance to create skilled jobs and grow local talent. Over the next five years, LaCroix will hire 107 people, opening up new opportunities for Batesville residents in a fast-moving, tech-focused field.
The move fits with national efforts to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and rebuild vital supply chains at home.
Meeting Military and Industrial Demands
A new 10-year military contract is really driving this expansion. The investment lets LaCroix meet tough military specs and boosts its role in national security.
With more manufacturing capacity, the company can better serve industrial clients who depend on top-quality optics for science, medical tech, and more.
The Legacy of LaCroix Precision Optics
Ray LaCroix Sr. founded the company nearly a century ago. Starting in Chicago in the 1930s and moving to Batesville in 1976, LaCroix has adapted to keep up with a changing industry.
This marks its fifth major expansion, which really says something about its ability to roll with the times.
A Historical Commitment to Excellence
LaCroix built its reputation on quality, offering products like:
- Custom lenses: Designed for specialized uses.
- Achromats: Components that control chromatic aberration.
- Aspheres: Precision lenses for complex systems.
- Windows and wedges: Key parts in many optical devices.
- Prisms and beam splitters: Materials for manipulating and measuring light.
These products helped the company earn respect in fields from telecommunications to defense and medical tech.
How the Batesville Community Benefits
Governor Sarah Sanders joined company leaders for the announcement, calling the expansion proof of Arkansas’s business-friendly approach. Local officials see this as a major turning point for Batesville, pushing the city forward as a center for advanced manufacturing.
The Expansion’s Economic Impact
Adding 107 jobs is more than a number—it’s a sign of real progress. Advanced manufacturing plants like LaCroix bring in talent and investment, raising Batesville’s profile across the country.
Construction and Timeline
Construction is already rolling, and they expect operations to start in December 2025. That’s a pretty quick turnaround, showing how urgent it is to meet demand and support the community.
What This Means for the Future of Precision Optics
The LaCroix expansion highlights a broader trend in manufacturing. Companies need to invest in advanced technology if they want to stay ahead.
LaCroix puts innovation and domestic production at the center of its work. They’re setting a high bar for others in the optics industry and holding onto their spot as a key player in everything from defense to scientific research.
As the Batesville facility grows, it will power economic activity in the area. It also shows what happens when companies, local governments, and communities actually work together.
By bridging gaps in critical supply chains, expansions like this give businesses and their communities a real boost. There’s a lot of potential here, but only time will tell how far it goes.
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