Global semiconductor development company BluGlass (ASX:BLG) has appointed industry veteran company President Jim Haden as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Haden has over 30 years’ experience in lasers which he has gathered from senior leadership positions at several of BluGlass’ potential customers and competitors, including Kyocera SLD, nLight, Coherent, and JDS Uniphase (now Lumentum). BluGlass adds Haden also has a proven track record transitioning advanced technology businesses to profitable, ‘high-growth’ commercial entities.

The company says Haden has transformed BluGlass under his leadership and has poised it for growth during his tenure as President.

“Our technical and commercial progress since his appointment cannot be overstated”

Key achievements include bringing BluGlass’ GaN laser technology to market, which has ‘significantly’ improved laser performance and reliability in order to successfully launch its first suite of products and secure initial customer orders.

BluGlass adds Haden was also instrumental in the acquisition of a purpose-built laser production fab, which is currently enabling BluGlass to vertically integrate its downstream manufacturing processes, expedite development and production, and improve laser quality while reducing manufacturing costs.

Addressing the appointment of Haden, BluGlass Chair James Walker said: “Jim’s technical expertise, industry network, and commercialisation know-how has been instrumental in transforming BluGlass from our R&D origins to a commercial provider of GaN lasers. Our technical and commercial progress since his appointment cannot be overstated. We are now a genuine player in a fast-growing market with very few competitors and high barriers to entry.

Our unique value proposition caters to our customers’ biggest challenges and feedback on our newly launched products has reaffirmed we have the right team and strategy in place to become a market leader. As CEO, Jim will have greater operational control across our three production facilities in Sydney, Silicon Valley, and Nashua and will be responsible for the continued transition to revenue generation and sustainability.”

Also speaking on his appointment, Jim Haden says he is proud of the achievements the company has achieved over the last 18 months.

“I’m incredibly proud of BluGlass’ achievements over the past 18 months and am honoured to be leading a highly talented and innovative team to commercialise truly disruptive laser technology, in rapidly growing markets. I’m looking forward to driving BluGlass’ continued growth and transformation, as we leverage our innovative product portfolio and deliver exceptional value for customers, shareholders, and our staff.”

BluGlass is an ASX-listed leading supplier of GaN laser diode products to the global photonics industry, focused on the industrial, defence, bio-medical, and scientific markets. The company represents one of just a handful of end-to-end GaN laser manufacturers globally, with operations in Sydney, Nashua, and Silicon Valley offering cutting-edge, custom laser diode development and manufacturing small-batch custom lasers to medium and high-volume off-the-shelf products.