News

Posted On: 09/30/2005

Diamond Machine Werks Brings Backing to Lighthouse Instruments

PharmaManufacturing.com

Lighthouse Instruments, LLC, a Charlottesville, Va.-based provider of optical-based, non-destructive headspace detection systems to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and contract manufacturing industry, on Sept. 26 reported it has received an equity investment from Diamond Machine Werks (DMW). This funding will be used to further expand Lighthouse's sales, support and service infrastructure in Europe and to accelerate the commercialization of new products currently under development. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"This investment is a key component of our growth strategy," said Dr. Jim Veale, president of Lighthouse Instruments. "We now have the necessary human and capital resources in place to respond to the increasing demand from the pharmaceutical market for our optical-based leak detection systems. Increasingly, our customers are committing to the implementation of our non-destructive leak detection and oxygen-monitoring technologies as part of their internal Process Analytical Technology (PAT) initiative. The combined resources of Lighthouse and DMW gives us a team of over 90 professionals focused on designing, building and supporting our VISTA in-line detection systems world-wide."

Philippe Maraval, president of Arlington Heights, Ill.-based Diamond Machine Werks, remarked, "We see our relationship with Lighthouse as another key step in DMW's strategy to offer our pharmaceutical customers advanced inspection solutions like the VISTA systems and our ACE-trac vial & syringes marking and inspection platforms. DMW's extensive experience with European installations will also complement Lighthouse's efforts in that part of the world."

DMW (formerly a division of Weiler Engineering), was founded in 1959. The company designs, manufactures and integrates custom automation equipment and pressure-sensitive labelers. The labelers are sold through DMV's sister company, Weiler Labeling Systems, in Moorestown, N.J. For more about DMV, visit www.dmwautomation.com.

For additional information on Lighthouse Instruments, go to www.lighthouseinstruments.com.