About Us
Learn more about Northumbria Optical Coatings
Established in 1995
Northumbria Optical Coatings Ltd was established in 1995, specialising in design and manufacture of Infrared Optical Filters and Coatings, covering the spectral range ~1.5um – 20.0um.
We have a well established national & international customer base and as a major manufacturer, (not simply a stockist), we offer very competitive prices for standard and non-standard filters.
Our vast stock of standard size filters allows us to despatch many orders within 48 hours.
Our filters have many applications including environmental monitoring, analysis and control of gaseous effluent, analysis of vehicle exhaust gases, ozone layer monitoring, night vision systems and space applications.
We are happy to QUOTE for any specific requirements you may have.
Formerly operating as a business unit for Rolls Royce International Research & Development based in Newcastle upon Tyne, ownership of the successful business was transferred to ourselves (the specialists who ran it for IRD) in 1995.
Operating totally independent of Rolls Royce plc, the success of NOC required a move to larger premises in March 2003. The new modern premises in South Tyneside were designed and fitted to meet our increasing needs due to the demands of the market place.
Being a customer driven company, we will endeavour to meet your requirements through our quality systems and service.
Mission Statement
Northumbria Optical Coatings are dedicated to achieving total customer satisfaction, we understand that the following points are of the highest importance to our customers;
We want our customers to have confidence in placing orders with us, no matter how large or small the requirement.
We are dedicated to continually improving our knowledge and the effectiveness of our quality management system.
We aim to develop and further maintain closer working relationships with our customers and suppliers.
We operate safely, ethically and responsibly in all the work that we do.
We are committed to the principal that safeguarding the environment is essential, and wherever possible and practicable we will ensure that we are reducing any adverse affects on the environment and at the very least complying with the appropriate laws and regulations.
Continually developing personnel who will uphold our company’s values and beliefs, will ensure we achieve our mission.
Northumbria Optical Coatings History
Thin Film Division formeard Grubb Parsons & Company Ltthin Sir Howard Grubb Parsons & Company Ltthin Sir Howard Grubb Parsons & Company Ltd part of C.A. Parsons & Co. Ltd.
Bob Wilson (former NOC MD) joins Grubb Parsons
Thin Film Division is closed, all equipment, materials and filter stocks are transferred to International Research & Development Company Ltd (IRD) part of the Northern Engineering Industries group (NEI)
Nick Gilland (current NOC MD) joins IRD
Rolls Royce merges with NEI
Sole Distributor agreement signed with Laser Components GmbH for the territories of Germany, Austria and Switzerland
A fire erupts at IRD and approximately 50% of the building is destroyed. The Optical Filter department is back up and running within 6 weeks
Rolls Royce sells the Optical Filters department to the 4 employees that run it and the new company - Northumbria Optical Coatings Ltd (NOC) is formed. All plant, equipment, materials, stock and existing orders are transferred to a new 2,000sqft factory in Jarrow, Tyne & Wear
Bob Wilson, Managing Director retires due to ill health.
Distributor agreement signed with Electro Optical Components, Inc. (EOC) for the territory of North America
The company outgrows the Jarrow factory and relocates to a new building which is fitted with bespoke offices, inspection areas and production hall. The new 5,000sqft factory is located on the modern hi-tech Boldon Business Park, Boldon, Tyne & Wear
As part of the company’s vision and continuous improvement plan the company is accredited with ISO 9001 quality management system
Launch of New Website
Investment into new production and inspection equipment to improve manufacturing and testing capabilities
Launch of e-commerce web site
Acquisition of FK optical Ltd
Acquisition of KLZ Optics adding substrate manufacture along with laser and electro optics manufacture to NOC's constantly expanding production capability
Factory expanded to a total of 10,000sqft to keep up with growing demand
Facilities continue to be updated with the addition of a new state of the art spectrophotometer