COTSWORKS Announces New R&D Center in Highland Heights, Ohio

For Immediate Release:
December 20, 2018
NEWS RELEASE

COTSWORKS Announces New R&D Center in Highland Heights, Ohio
Investment Supports Innovation in Aerospace Opto-Electronics

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS – COTSWORKS, LLC, a designer and manufacturer of rugged optical components for the commercial aerospace, military and industrial product markets, announced it will build a new R&D facility in Highland Heights, Ohio.

Ken Applebaum, CEO of COTSWORKS, stated that “a total of $4.1 million will be invested in the design and innovative development of optical components and sub-systems for harsh environments. COTSWORKS is excited and appreciative of the support from JobsOhio for the R&D center called FORCE, or Fiber Optic Research Center of Excellence. With this Center, we will create new engineering positions over the next several years focusing our research efforts on advanced optical packaging. This will enable COTSWORKS to continue to grow its high-tech manufacturing presence in Northeast Ohio.”

Founded in 2006, COTSWORKS develops fiber optic components with advanced manufacturing processes. The company’s products enable a 30 percent weight reduction in aircraft wiring and facilitate the use of composite materials. Military aircraft and tactical systems as well as rugged ground systems also benefit from weight reduction, EMI improvements, and faster speeds in smaller network devices. JobsOhio is supporting the project with an R&D Center grant.

“We are pleased to see COTSWORKS invest in the FORCE R&D Center ensuring continued growth at its Highland Heights headquarters,” said Glenn Richardson, JobsOhio managing director for advanced manufacturing, aerospace and aviation. “This northeast Ohio high-tech center will keep COTSWORKS on the leading edge of avionic communication systems providing its customers worldwide with the latest in advanced optical components technology.”

COTSWORKS has averaged double digit growth each year for more than a decade from substantial demand for its opto-electronic and fiber optic interconnect products worldwide. Customers include industry leaders such as with The Boeing Corporation and The Lockheed Martin Corporation.

###

COTSWORKS manufactures rugged optical transceivers and custom cables used in harsh environments. COTSWORKS is based in Highland Heights, Ohio and Fulda, Germany operating with an AS9100:2015 + ISO 9001D quality system. The company’s products are changing the way aircraft and military systems are designed and manufactured.

JobsOhio is a private nonprofit corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion efforts. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth, Columbus 2020, Dayton Development Coalition, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

For more information, contact:
Matt Englehart, JobsOhio
(614) 300-1152
englehart@jobsohio.com