Under its existing industrial coding system, the US Census Bureau does not have a distinct designation for lasers and electro-optics. Productivity data from the agency has been of little use to electro-optics and laser manufacturers.
To remedy the problem, Breck Hitz, executive director of the Lasers and Electro-Optics Manufacturers Association (LEOMA); Pat Edsell, Spectra-Physics president; and David Hardwick of Melles Griot visited the Census Bureau's office in Suitland, Md., to discuss revising the classifications. According to LEOMA, it will take several years for the new classifications to go into effect.