Expanding on a relationship established several years ago through the Tucson-Ottawa economic partnership, OZ Optics of Carp, Ontario, has announced plans to open a research and manufacturing center at the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park by July 1.

The maker of fibre-optic components and test equipment for use in the telecommunications, bio-medical and defense industries is the first Canadian company to establish a permanent office in Tucson, said Molly Gilbert, director of tenant and public relations for the Science and Technology Park. "We have several other ongoing collaborations, but this is the first company to open a permanent office here."

Speaking about his company's plans, Marcelo Grinfeld, vice president of Business Development for OZ Optics, said cost, workforce and proximity of other high technology companies were the primary reasons for selecting Tucson as the site of their latest facility.

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"There are companies here we can interact with, right in Tucson, and we have a good proximity to California, where we have a number of other business relationships," he said. "There's also a university here with a strong program in photonics. So, we can be close to our existing customers and have the potential for more sales."

A southwestern U.S. location was part of a long-term growth strategy for the 25-year-old OZ Optics, named for founder Omur Sezerman and his wife and vice president of human resources, Zahide Sezerman. However, Grinfeld credits the two-year partnership between Tucson, the University of Arizona and Ottawa and Carleton University with the choice of Southern Arizona over other possible locations.

"Initially, we didn't know we could do something here, since my view of Arizona was a desert full of cactus and not much else. I didn't know you had a city here. Thanks to the trade missions, we got to know people, and have been able to have discussions and network," he said. "As a result, we learned what Tucson was all about."

Although OZ Optics initially plans only a small office at the Science and Technology Park, Grinfeld said "We're hoping to make a lot of money. Hopefully, in the next three years, we can have 50 to 100 people in Tucson. If our business grows, we can grow the business here."

Praising the company's choice of Tucson, John Grabo, director of marketing and international programs for the University of Arizona's Science and Technology Park, said "OZ will contribute to our high tech community, not just quantitatively in the number of jobs, but qualitatively, by bringing with them technological skills and connections. They will dialogue with our photonics companies, helping them, and provide a conduit back to Canadian companies," he said.

Grabo also praised Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup for his involvement in the Tucson-Ottawa partnership. "He traveled to Ottawa with us and has been there for their missions here," Grabo said. "This type of involvement in the economic development process makes an important statement to our partners."

Commenting on the OZ Optics announcement, Mayor Walkup said, "personal relationships build trust, and that's what makes the difference."

He said, "I'm very pleased that we went to Ottawa, that they came here, and that we've maintained consistent and positive relations since then. The public can expect more good things to come out of this Tucson-Ottawa relationship in the future."

Philip S. Moore may be contacted at pmoore@azbiz.com or at (520) 295-4238.