Cooke Optics Announces Plans to Extend Factory and Workforce

Cooke Optics announced that it will expand its factory in Leicester, U.K. and hire additional employees to accommodate a growing demand for its hand-crafted lenses.

The company plans to add an additional 300 square meters, which will house more assembly and projection facilities as well as an R&D laboratory. A 10 percent increase in the workforce will be required to fuel the expansion.

A growing order book for Cooke’s new range of Anamorphic/i lenses, which were launched to great acclaim at NAB 2013, as well as continuing demand for the popular miniS4/I, 5/i and S4/i ranges, have necessitated the factory expansion.

“As the digital camera revolution continues, people want the best PL lenses to tell their stories,” said Les Zellan, chairman and owner, Cooke Optics. “We’re gratified by the demand we face for our lenses, particularly the recent interest that our Anamorphic/i lenses have garnered, and have taken these measures to increase production while maintaining our high standards. Our lenses are all individually hand-made in Leicester by a very skillful workforce, and our customers appreciate the time and effort that goes into making every lens as perfect as it can be.”

Cooke is being honored at Cine Gear Expo with a technical lifetime achievement award, in recognition of the significant contributions the company has made in advancing the art and craft of film making.