Fonon Technology International (laserphotonics.com) has relocated to a 319,800 ft² facility in Lake Mary, Fla. Manufacturing gets 65% of the space and will help contribute to FTI's move towards lean manufacturing. The new building is over five times the size of the previous facility and will become the manufacturing hub for all FTI subsidiaries and divisions, to include Laser Photonics, a manufacturer of industrial equipment; Fonon DSS, a manufacturer of flat panel displays and semiconductor equipment; and Advanced Solar Photonics, a solar panel processing equipment manufacturer.

The new facility will accommodate development of a large format high power Fiber Laser cutting systems. The facility lets Fonon better meet client needs through a dedicated customer support team and larger production capabilities for standardized Fiber Laser marking systems. FTI will hold a stock inventory of standardized laser systems to shorten lead times and let FTI become one of the first manufacturers of standardized marking systems.

The new space also gives FTI one of the largest laser-application labs in the U.S. with more than 15,000 ft² dedicated to processing samples and performing research and development. The 100-employee firm expects to add 40 more.