GH
G&H is a UK-listed photonics and optics manufacturer (LSE: GHG) supplying ring laser gyroscopes, advanced periscope systems, and thin film lithium niobate wafers to UK, NATO, and US defense customers, alongside MEP building services for UK commercial and educational clients.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What GH does
G&H is a UK-listed photonics and optics company (LSE: GHG) founded in 1967 and headquartered in Leeds, with a diversified portfolio organized across two divisions. The aerospace and defense division manufactures precision optical components — including ring laser gyroscopes for navigation, advanced periscope systems for UK and NATO naval programs, and thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) wafers for high-speed optical communications — while the MEP services division provides mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design, build, and maintenance contracts to UK educational institutions and commercial property groups through competitive tender processes.
The company's core technology rests on specialized photonics manufacturing know-how developed since 1967 and expanded through the 2025 acquisition of Florida-based Global Photonics. Its flagship emerging technology is TFLN wafer fabrication, a critical material for defense communications, advanced sensing, AI data movement, and commercial photonics applications. G&H is establishing domestic US TFLN wafer production capacity through a strategic partnership with Raytheon (RTX), supported by a US Air Force Research Laboratory contract, with production transitioning to G&H in early 2026. This positions the company as a qualified domestic supplier for both UK and US defense and AI infrastructure optical component supply chains.
G&H's revenue model is a mix of hardware sales (photonics components and defense systems) and professional services (MEP contracts). The company sells primarily through direct, enterprise-grade channels: government procurement for defense and aerospace customers, and competitive tenders for MEP services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed for defense and photonics products. In H1 FY2025 (six months ending 31 March 2025), G&H reported sales of £70.9M (up 11% YoY) and adjusted pre-tax profits of £5.1M (nearly double the prior-year period), with the aerospace and defense division growing 41% YoY to £23.5M.
GH firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GH
- Legal name
- G&H
- Website
- https://ghjapan.jp
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- G&H is a UK-listed photonics and optics manufacturer (LSE: GHG) supplying ring laser gyroscopes, advanced periscope systems, and thin film lithium niobate wafers to UK, NATO, and US defense customers, alongside MEP building services for UK commercial and educational clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GH industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Photonics and Optical Components
- NAICS
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Optics & Laser/Light Engine Components (Lenses, Galvos, Laser Modules, UV Engines) (IMAAAIAC)
Keywords
Where GH is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
GH business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Photonics and Optics Components: G&H manufactures and sells photonics components including ring laser gyroscopes, periscope systems, and thin film lithium niobate wafers to defense contractors and government agencies.
- Defense Programs: Revenue from supplying advanced optical systems to UK and NATO defense programs, including custom-developed components for specific defense applications.
- MEP Services: MEP maintenance contracts won through competitive tender processes for educational institutions and commercial property groups, including both short-term projects and ongoing rolling maintenance contracts.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
GH product offering
Product offeringCore offering
G&H manufactures and sells photonics components and subsystems—including ring laser gyroscope components, advanced periscope systems, and thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) wafers—to defense ministries, aerospace contractors, and industrial photonics customers. The company also operates a Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) services division based in Leeds, UK, delivering maintenance contracts to educational institutions and commercial property owners.
Product overview
G&H operates as a UK-listed optics and photonics company with a diversified portfolio spanning defense photonics, precision optical components, and MEP services. The core photonics business includes thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) wafers developed in collaboration with Raytheon/RTX for defense and commercial photonics applications, along with ring laser gyroscope components and advanced periscope systems for UK and NATO defense programs. The company expanded its photonics capabilities through the acquisition of Florida-based Global Photonics. Separately, the MEP services division provides maintenance contracts for educational institutions and commercial properties across the UK.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ring Laser Gyroscope Components Precision navigation components providing highly accurate rotational sensing for aerospace and defense applications.
- Advanced Periscope Systems Optical-engineered periscope systems developed for UK and NATO defense programs, intended for submarine and naval platform use.
- Thin Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) Wafers High-performance electro-optic wafers serving as core building blocks for high-speed optical systems used in defense communications, advanced sensing, AI data movement, and commercial photonics applications.
- MEP Maintenance Services Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing maintenance services delivered under contract to educational institutions and commercial property groups across the UK.
Companies that use GH
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
GH technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
GH partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Raytheon (RTX)coreRaytheon collaborated with G&H to establish domestic production of thin film lithium niobate wafers in the U.S., reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. This positions RTX closer to secure communications hardware supply chain rather than just being a downstream system integrator.
- US Air Force Research LaboratorycoreThe US Air Force Research Laboratory awarded Raytheon a contract to create a production line for thin-film lithium niobate wafers, with G&H as the manufacturing partner. Production is expected to transition to G&H later in 2026.
- Raytheon (RTX)coreRaytheon, an RTX business, partnered with G&H to develop domestic production capability for thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) wafers. Raytheon was awarded a contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory, and will assist G&H in developing the manufacturing process, with production transitioning to G&H in early 2026.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
GH competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Excelitas Technologies: Private photonics and optoelectronics company serving defense, aerospace, and industrial customers. Closely comparable to G&H's defense photonics portfolio and customer mix.
- Lumentum: Supplier of photonic components and optical subsystems for telecom, datacom, and defense applications. Comparable to G&H's TFLN and high-speed optical communications exposure.
- Hamamatsu Photonics: Japanese photonics manufacturer producing optoelectronic devices, sensors, and optical components for scientific, medical, and industrial markets. Comparable in core photonic component technology.
- Coherent Corp: Global photonics and laser components manufacturer serving defense, communications, and industrial markets. Direct comparable to G&H across laser-based optics, electro-optic materials, and defense photonics.
- MKS Instruments: Manufactures photonics, laser, and optical components for semiconductor and defense end markets. Comparable to G&H in electro-optic and precision optical subsystems.
- Thorlabs: Privately held photonics company manufacturing optical components, lasers, and measurement systems. Comparable to G&H's optical components and photonics subsystems business.
Broad incumbents
- Teledyne Technologies: Large diversified supplier of defense electronics, instrumentation, and digital imaging. Overlaps with G&H in defense photonics and electro-optic subsystems, though across a much broader portfolio.
- Leonardo DRS: US defense electronics and photonics provider serving the Department of Defense. Comparable to G&H's defense customer base and photonic subsystem integration for military platforms.
Emerging players
- nLIGHT: Develops high-power lasers and photonics for defense, industrial, and semiconductor applications. Comparable to G&H in laser-based optical components for defense.
Regional players
- CML Microsystems: UK-listed small-cap technology company serving defense and industrial markets. Comparable as a UK-listed defense/industrial supplier, though focused on semiconductors rather than photonics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
GH social profiles
Digital presenceGH financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GH leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
GH subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
GH funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GH M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GH
What does GH do?
G&H manufactures and sells photonics components and subsystems—including ring laser gyroscope components, advanced periscope systems, and thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) wafers—to defense ministries, aerospace contractors, and industrial photonics customers. The company also operates a Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) services division based in Leeds, UK, delivering maintenance contracts to educational institutions and commercial property owners.
Is GH a public or private company?
GH is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was GH founded?
GH was founded in 1967. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is GH based?
GH is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does GH make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Photonics and Optics Components are the primary driver. The others are defense Programs and MEP Services.
Who are GH's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Excelitas Technologies, Lumentum, Hamamatsu Photonics, Coherent Corp, MKS Instruments and Thorlabs. Broad incumbents are Teledyne Technologies and Leonardo DRS. nLIGHT is listed as an emerging player. CML Microsystems is listed as a regional player.
Does GH have an API?
No public API is recorded for GH.
What industry is GH in?
GH's product category is Photonics and Optical Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAAAH, Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs), with a secondary code of IMAAAIAC, Optics & Laser/Light Engine Components (Lenses, Galvos, Laser Modules, UV Engines). Its NAICS code is 33429 and its SIC code is 3827.