A Toronto-based firm’s commitment to establish its U.S. research and manufacturing headquarters in Rochester was announced today.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said Delta-X Imagine, the advanced technology unit of Delta-X Global Corp., will invest $25 million to purchase and renovate the building at 1964 Lake Ave. that currently is home to the AIM Photonics Testing, Assembly and Packaging facility, as well as a second facility near the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.
Delta-X plans to establish its U.S. research and development facility at the Lake Avenue location and house manufacturing operations at the Airpark Road facility.
The Toronto company has committed to creating up to 102 jobs in the Rochester region and expects to be fully operational here by the first quarter of 2026.
Empire State Development will provide up to $3.5 million through the Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for the job creation commitments, Hochul said. Monroe County, the city of Rochester and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also assisting the project.
The AIM Photonics TAP facility will remain at the Lake Avenue site, where it occupies two floors.
Delta-X Global designs, engineers and manufactures high-performance, fully automated solutions for industrial and digital automation, printing, security and encryption platforms. It plans to develop a supply chain network for the collaboration, development, testing, and manufacturing of silicon photonic devices and components.
“The market demand for advanced manufacturing and digital transformation solutions continues to outpace all expectations, as global brands and governments increasingly look for solutions in digital technologies to improve security, operational efficiencies and supply chain,” said Derek Dlugosh-Ostap, CEO of Delta-X Global. “The launch of Delta-X Imagine Hub here in Rochester … will be a great first step in bringing expanded digital transformation capability to our U.S. customers.”
Added Dlugosh-Ostap: “Rochester is known for fostering talent through nation’s premier research universities with graduates and faculty members addressing technological problems of high complexity. Additionally, companies like Kodak, Wegman’s and Xerox have developed a culture of commitment to innovation. When it came to establishing location for our U.S. headquarters, proximity to talent and supply chain played a significant role.”
Rochester Mayor James Smith said Delta-X Global’s announcement of more high-tech jobs coming to Eastman Business Park “continues Rochester’s renaissance as a City of Companies rather than a Company City.”
Mayor-elect Malik Evans lauded Delta X Global “for recognizing the talent in Rochester, and I am also grateful for the role ESD played in (the firm’s) decision to establish a headquarters in our great city.”
The move by Delta-X Global, said County Executive Adam Bello, “further proves why Monroe County was recently named the top area in the county to jump start our nation’s innovation economy. Monroe County is not only a leader in economic development, but is the perfect home for tech companies, and the high-paying, skilled jobs they produce.”
Paul Ericson is Rochester Beacon executive editor.