Verified Nov 2026
Electronics & Software
·
Newton, New Jersey
·
Since 1989
Thorlabs is a photonics and optoelectronics manufacturer headquartered in Newton, New Jersey, United States, and founded in 1989. It employs roughly 1,000 to 5,000 people and reports revenue in the $500 million to $1 billion band, according to an estimate. The company is privately held and serves industries including automotive, electronics, medical, military and defense, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. Recent developments include the release of new optical coherence tomography systems in 2026 and a partnership with Xanadu to develop optical controls for photonic quantum computing.
Thorlabs at a glance
Revenue
$500M-1B
Est. band
Employees
1,000-5,000
Founded
1989
Headquarters
Newton, New Jersey
Certifications
ISO 9001 · ITAR registered
Import activity
689
Industries
Automotive
Electric Vehicles
Electronics
Medical
Military & Defense
Renewable Energy
Sourcing and import activity
From US customs bill-of-lading records
US sea imports
689
Named foreign suppliers
13
Top origins
United Kingdom · China · Germany · South Korea
Shared foreign counterparties do not establish that these companies buy from Thorlabs.
What this tells a buyer
Thorlabs announced a partnership with Xanadu in January 2026 to advance optical controls for photonic quantum computing.
The company holds ISO 9001 certification and ITAR registration, and its catalog includes lasers, optical fibers, imaging systems, and optomechanical components, with custom photonics and semiconductor, coating, and machining capabilities.
Thorlabs operates facilities in Jessup, Maryland and Shanghai, China, in addition to its headquarters in New Jersey.
Source: US customs bill-of-lading records and public filings · Last verified Nov 05, 2026
STABILITY SIGNALS
Established & active
37 years in operation (founded 1989).
Holds ISO 9001, ITAR registered certification(s) per public sources.
Overview
Thorlabs is a photonics and optoelectronics manufacturer headquartered in Newton, New Jersey, United States, and founded in 1989. It employs roughly 1,000 to 5,000 people and reports revenue in the $500 million to $1 billion band, according to an estimate. The company is privately held and serves industries including automotive, electronics, medical, military and defense, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. Recent developments include the release of new optical coherence tomography systems in 2026 and a partnership with Xanadu to develop optical controls for photonic quantum computing.
At a glance
Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
Founded | 1989 |
Headquarters | Newton, New Jersey |
Employees | 1,000-5,000 |
Revenue | $500M-1B (estimated) |
Primary capability | Electronics & Software |
Certifications | ISO 9001 · ITAR registered |
What Thorlabs makes
The company holds ISO 9001 certification and ITAR registration, and its catalog includes lasers, optical fibers, imaging systems, and optomechanical components, with custom photonics and semiconductor, coating, and machining capabilities.
Products and capabilities described on the company's own site include Semiconductor, Coating, Electronics, Machining, Assembly (source: thorlabs.com).
Certifications
Thorlabs is associated with the following certifications in public sources. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part:
ISO 9001 — thorlabs.com
ITAR registered — thorlabs.com
Trade and customs footprint
Thorlabs announced a partnership with Xanadu in January 2026 to advance optical controls for photonic quantum computing. US customs bill-of-lading records list 689 inbound shipments across 13 foreign suppliers, with top origins including United Kingdom · China · Germany · South Korea.
Latest developments
2026-10-12 — LOT 2 : Plateformes pédagogiques optique — THORLABS SAS · Adjudera (adjudera.com)
2026-07-30 — Thorlabs · Precisely Characterize Microstructures with Thorlabs' New Ultrahigh-Resolution, High-Penetration OCT Systems (thorlabs.com)
2026-04-30 — Mayor helps break ground on international company’s Ely expansion - Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce (cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk)
2026-01-13 — Thorlabs · Thorlabs and Xanadu Partner to Advance Optical Controls for Photonic Quantum Computing (thorlabs.com)
2025-10-21 — Lancaster Way Business Park unit expansion in Ely approved | Ely Standard (elystandard.co.uk)
2025-10-01 — Thorlabs · Thorlabs Expands Photonics Portfolio with Acquisition of Nu Opto, Inc. (thorlabs.com)
Facilities
Thorlabs is headquartered in Newton, New Jersey. Public sources also reference these locations:
Jessup, Maryland — thorlabs.com
Shanghai, China — thorlabs.com
Company details
Thorlabs operates facilities in Jessup, Maryland and Shanghai, China, in addition to its headquarters in New Jersey. Thorlabs was founded in 1989, has an estimated 1,000-5,000 employees, and is headquartered in Newton, New Jersey. On the LightSource stability read it is rated "Established & active": 37 years in operation (founded 1989). Holds ISO 9001, ITAR registered certification(s) per public sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does Thorlabs make?
Thorlabs is a photonics and optoelectronics manufacturer headquartered in Newton, New Jersey, United States, and founded in 1989. It employs roughly 1,000 to 5,000 people and reports revenue in the $500 million to $1 billion band, according to an estimate. The company is privately held and serves industries including automotive, electronics, medical, military and defense, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. Recent developments include the release of new optical coherence tomography systems in 2026 and a partnership with Xanadu to develop optical controls for photonic quantum computing.
Where is Thorlabs headquartered?
Thorlabs is headquartered in Newton, New Jersey.
When was Thorlabs founded?
Thorlabs was founded in 1989.
How big is Thorlabs?
Thorlabs has an estimated 1,000-5,000 employees, with revenue in the $500M-1B range (estimated).
What certifications does Thorlabs hold?
Thorlabs lists ISO 9001 · ITAR registered on its website. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part.
Does Thorlabs import from overseas suppliers?
US customs bill-of-lading records show 689 inbound shipments for Thorlabs, with top origins including United Kingdom · China · Germany · South Korea.
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Last verified Nov 2026. Is this your company? Request a correction.
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