History & Future
Celebrating 30 Years
The year 2021 marks Optimax's 30th Anniversary. We have come a long way from starting in a barn in Webster, New York, to becoming the largest optics manufacturer in America. During these years of business, the company has continued to grow and thrive and celebrate many milestones.
To all our employees, customers, and friends – We thank you for your continued commitment to Optimax.
Optimax Growth
Each year Optimax grows in revenue, facility size, customers, and employees. This provides more revenue potential, career opportunities, and technological advancements and solutions. "We are creating solutions beyond what we ever thought it would be,” said Rick Plympton, CEO, of Optimax.
From a start-up to a thriving company, there are now more than 400 employees, with an average revenue growth of 20 percent a year, and a 155,000 sq. ft. facility that continues to expand.
A unique company culture of team empowerment to create value, improve efficiency, and adapt to changes in the marketplace fuels our customers and employees to be successful and expand.
Did You Know?
Get to know the Optimax culture, from our Tie Dye traditions to the Business Hall of Fame.
![Optimax Corporate Uniform - Tie-Dye]()
Tie-Dye because the official "Corporate Uniform"
Optimax's corporate culture began and with a workforce encompassed of Grateful Dead loving musicians, tie-dye became our official uniform still worn today.
![Optimax Acquired Gould Precision Optics]()
Optimax Acquired Gould Precision Optics
Optimax acquired Gould Precision Optics. There were 80 employees in Rochester and around 30 employees in Binghamton, New York.
![Optimax encourages Employees]()
Optimax Presented a Message of Hope to the Workforce
In 2004, Optimax Angel's message provided the workforce with a message centered around hope and prosperity.
![Optimax embraces a Self-Led Culture]()
Optimax Embraces a Self-Led Culture
Optimax embraced a self-led culture, which means the organization is shaped by the people and not the objectives of the leaders.
![Rochester Business Hall of Fame Inducted Mike Mandina and Rick Plympton]()
Rochester Business Hall of Fame Inducted Mike Mandina and Rick Plympton
Rick Plympton and Mike Mandina were inducted into the Rochester 2018 Business Hall of Fame.
![Optimax Billboard]()
Optimax Featured in Multiple Billboards Around Rochester
In 2019, Optimax leaders Mike and Rick were featured on billboards throughout Rochester supporting Wayne County.
Expansion
As a company, Optimax has continued to expand and grow on multiple levels. From starting our company in 1991 in a barn to continued growth and expansion in future years.
Our company is based on these core values:
- Openness & Transparency
- Fairness
- Willingness to trust and empower others to make decisions
- To power with, not power over
These principles not only guide our culture but how we do business. We all have accountability to each other which drives our mission of putting customer success and employee prosperity first.
Our culture continues to grow as our company has grown, but these core values have been with us from the start and are what drives Optimax's success.
Succession
Since its founding in 1991, Optimax has always been a privately owned company. As the two leading owners, Mike Mandina and Rick Plympton, started to near retirement age, they wanted to leave a succession plan that would ensure Optimax’s sustainability beyond their tenure.
The plan they enacted in 2020 was an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) with a perpetual purpose. What this ensures is the three covenants that were important to Mike and Rick:
- The company can never be sold
- Profits will always be shared with the employees
- Optimax leadership for the guidance of innovation and growth of the business
Would you like to find out more?
With a deep understanding of diverse optical challenges, Optimax offers tailored solutions through a combination of traditional and advanced CNC machining. Explore our precision optics, opto-mechanical assemblies, and optical systems design expertise, serving industries like aerospace and semiconductor.