History & Vision

Innovation is where we start

Born with an entrepreneurial spirit: Headwall Photonics^® began with a singular focus on diffractive optics and the unique ability to collect and manage reflected light to become the world's leading supplier of high-performance spectral acquisition instruments and exploitation software.

Company History

The Company was founded in 2003 after an operational divestiture from the holographic gratings division of Agilent Technologies of Santa Clara, CA.

As one example of commercializing innovation, the Headwall team designed and manufactured a new class of instruments called spectral imaging sensors.

The pairing of spectroscopy and imaging allows users to collect complex spectral information and then exploit that data to solve challenges in remote sensing, advanced machine vision, medical-biotech, and defense.

Today, Headwall is a global leader with facilities and partners around the world, providing spectral solutions for commercial users with critical, real-time application needs.

In 2022 the company completed a recapitalization led by Arsenal Capital Partners (“Arsenal”), a private equity firm that specializes in investments in industrial and healthcare companies. The recapitalization was completed in partnership with existing management and ownership, resulting in Arsenal becoming the majority owner

Also in 2022, Headwall acquired Holographix™, an industry leader in micro- and nano-structure replication of high-performance, custom-designed photonic solutions for the life sciences, semiconductor, aerospace & defense, and metrology markets. The company's replication technology enables high-performance, yet lower-cost, components for OEM customers.

Headwall also acquired perClass BV in 2022, developer of the industry leading perClass Mira^® spectral analysis software package, which integrates with various spectral sensors and enables intuitive spectral imaging analysis for advanced machine vision applications in research, industrial, and various commercial deployments.

Headwall^® and Headwall Photonics^® are registered trademarks of Headwall Photonics Inc.

Our Vision

Headwall focuses on the acquisition and exploitation of reflected light for commercial and government customers. Across its four markets, the Company provides:

Integrated hyperspectral imaging solutions
Spectral imaging sensors
Raman imaging spectrographs and OEM subassemblies
Diffraction gratings and optical modules for OEM applications

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Our Quality

Headwall is ISO 9001:2015 Certified by NQA

We will develop and deliver spectral instrumentation solutions for our customers that meet or exceed expectations while providing full product support. Headwall will invest in our core markets with a focus on continuous improvement for the benefit of all of our interested parties, including employees, suppliers, and our local and global communities.

Our Facilities

Bolton, USA

This is Headwall’s headquarters, home to sales, engineering, and systems assembly. Located less than an hour west of Boston, Massachusetts.

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Fitchburg, USA

Patented master-quality holographic diffraction gratings are produced in controlled clean rooms at Headwall's Fitchburg, Massachusetts facility.