Rochester, N.Y., December 8, 2000 – Effective immediately, GM Vacuum’s name has been changed to Navitar Coating Labs, Inc., officials from Navitar Inc., (GM’s parent company) have announced.

Navitar Inc., which provides leading optical technology to the growing photonics industry, purchased GM Vacuum, located in Newport Beach, Calif., at the end of 1998.  Changing the company name to Navitar Coating Labs will help both companies to better tie their operations together.

In addition, coating operations will now share the navitar.com internet address.  Navitar’s goal is to make all of its coating and non-coating customers more aware of the vast range of services the Navitar family of companies offers to all of its customers. 

Navitar is committed to expanding and increasing its coating operations in Newport Beach.  Since Navitar’s purchase of the company, Navitar Coating Labs’ management team has worked closely with its coating staff to improve deliveries and speed up response times. 

Other improvements include major facility renovations and reorganization of factory equipment and offices to increase communication and improve productivity.  In addition, new, updated equipment is being purchased and existing machinery is being overhauled to improve efficiency and throughput.

Navitar Coating Labs is a “boutique” coating company.  It is especially good at working with its customers to solve the tough technical problems that others can’t solve.  It is also very good at producing beautiful colored and textured dichroic art glass for art customers.

The Navitar group of companies consists of the parent company, Navitar, Inc., with headquarters located in Rochester, N.Y. and a facility in Miami Beach, Fla.; and Navitar Coating Labs, Inc., located in Newport Beach, Calif.