NOVEMBER 7--Navitar Inc. (Rochester, NY; www.navitar.com) has created a new research-and-development team headed by William D. Bridson and Dmitry Gorelik. Navitar's new R&D team is focused on the development of new products for the machine-vision and visual presentation industries.
Bridson returned to Navitar in September 2002 as director of new product development after a five-year absence. Previously Navitar vice president of engineering, Bridson originally came to Navitar nearly 20 years ago from Bausch & Lomb. Bridson has considerable experience in microscope and video-system development with a focus on the semiconductor-equipment market.
Gorelik, who joined Navitar in February 2002 as director of research and development, has extensive experience in machine-vision system design and development, with particular emphasis on illumination. He is responsible for the integration of new technologies into Navitar's standard products. Gorelik was most recently the R&D manager for Orbotech Ltd. in Israel.
The focus of the new R&D team is to take Navitar's core competencies and expand them into new products for diverse markets. Specifically, the team will be developing products to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the automation, electronic imaging, bioimaging, biometrics, inspection, LCD projection, and visual presentation markets. The in-house R&D team will facilitate a faster flow from product conception to production, helping Navitar get new products to market sooner.