GH

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.

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

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

• Photonics components
• Defense optics
• Precision navigation
• Thin film lithium niobate
• MEP maintenance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Defense Programs: Revenue from supplying advanced optical systems to UK and NATO defense programs, including custom-developed components for specific defense applications.
3. 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

Core 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.

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Raytheon (RTX)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Raytheon 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 LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 February 2026The 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026Raytheon, 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

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ghjapan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GH