Vision Engineering Ltd., Surrey, United Kingdom, a manufacturer of ergonomic inspection and measurement microscopes, opened its new global headquarters. The 129,200-sq.-ft. building replaces two buildings, a 33,000-sq.-ft. production and design factory and a 28,000-sq.-ft. commercial building.
The new complex has all company departments, including manufacturing, under one roof. This will facilitate closer collaboration to lead the way for future innovation in the inspection and measurement system marketplace. The modern design of the building is mostly open-plan, creating the feeling of space. The main entrance is circular and designed to resemble a microscope lens. Many of the materials used in the construction are sustainable.
"Vision Engineering was born from the British car racing industry in the south of England," said Managing Director Mark Curtis. "We are delighted to continue to grow our international business from our purpose-built R&D and manufacturing facility on the actual site where the original factory was located in 1958. We are immensely proud of our founder, Rob Freeman, MBE, after whom our new headquarters is named, and look forward to continuing to play our part in the long tradition of high-tech manufacturing and innovation."
One hundred twenty employees are based at the Freeman Building. While over 80 percent of the products are designed, developed and manufactured in the new building, the Mantis Family of eyepieceless microscopes will continue to be manufactured in the U.S. headquarters in New Milford, Conn.
