CVI Expands Rapid Prototyping Capabilities with Acquisition.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- CVI is pleased to announce the acquisition today of Optical Components, inc. (OCi) of Covina, California. OCi manufactures custom optical elements and coatings for a variety of industries, especially aerospace and national laboratories. Key manufacturing capabilities include

Stuart Schoenmann, CEO of CVI states, "This acquisition is a component of CVI's plan to expand our capabilities and increase our manufacturing capacity to meet worldwide demand. OCi is recognized as a technology leader for the manufacture and coating of custom optical components. OCi has been a key supplier to customers such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories. CVI intends to increase manufacturing capacity through intensive capital investment projects at the OCi facility."

Manufacturers of opto-mechanical and opto-electronic equipment have been driving the optics industry to reduce lead-times on prototype optical elements. Time-to-market demands are increasing in all industries as global competition heats up. Additionally, demand for infrared imaging optics is increasing as remote sensing and thermal imaging applications and requirements are further developed.

CVI's acquisition strategy is focused to expand the product line, to increase capabilities, and address growing market opportunities. This acquisition will enable CVI to meet customer demand for rapid prototyping, high volume production, and infrared imaging optics and assemblies.

"OCi is pleased to be joined with the CVI group of companies," says Lynn Montgomery, Founder and President of OCi. "CVI has a strong world-wide brand, distribution network and access to capital. We look forward to growing our part of the business."

Lynn Montgomery, OCi Founder, will be reporting to CVI CEO, Stuart Schoenmann. Montgomery will be leading the new CVI division through the integration of the two companies with Vice-President of Operations, Mark West, and will then take on a technology development role to further grow CVI's capabilities in these markets.

About OCi

Optical Components, Inc. was established in 1971 and has built its reputation as a leading supplier of high quality and technically advanced optical components for R&D, aerospace, defense, medical and commercial applications. OCi meets customers' most exacting requirements through the use of experienced personnel, computerized instrumentation, and automated, high-speed production equipment. OCi is a fully integrated optics manufacturing facility that offers an exceptionally diverse line of products for use in wavelengths from 260nm to 14 micron.

About CVI

Serving semiconductor, biotech, industrial, commercial, aerospace and research industries, CVI combines 30 years of optics manufacturing expertise with precision machining and mechanical design to produce integrated opto-mechanical assemblies. CVI is a leading manufacturer of optical components, providing engineering, rapid prototype delivery, high volume production, and system integration for challenging optical requirements. Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, CVI operates manufacturing facilities in New Mexico, the British Isles, and South Korea with sales representatives and distributors located worldwide. CVI has been a portfolio company of Norwest Equity Partners, a leading private equity firm, since May 2003.

For further information, please contact Lynore Abbott, Marketing Communications Manager, 200 Dorado Place S.E., Albuquerque, NM 87123, by phone at 505-296-9541, by e-mail at labbott@cvilaser.com, or visit the CVI website at www.cvilaser.com.