Sheaumann Laser Inc. has opened a new 57,800-sq-ft facility in Billerica, Massachusetts. The manufacturer of semiconductor lasers announced its expansion and relocation in July. Supported by a $2.34 million grant from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) and matching funds from the company, Sheaumann will increase both its workforce and production capabilities to meet demand for laser-based technologies in multiple industries. Sheaumann specifically plans to broaden its wafer growth capabilities, expanding its existing near-infrared gallium arsenide (GaAs) wavelength range offerings (780 to 1080 nm) to include indium phosphide (InP) wavelengths (1120 to 1875 nm). “The M2I2 capital grant helps immensely in supporting Sheaumann’s passion for innovative technology by helping broaden our capabilities in laser growth to include InP wavelengths,” Sheaumann President Gary Sousa said. Sheaumann will rely on its new technologies and personnel to nearly double its current product line and continue competing with overseas foundries with production based exclusively in Massachusetts, Sousa said. The company anticipates growing its workforce by 40%. The new facility triples the size of Sheumann’s original location and adds 15,000 sq ft of cleanroom space for manufacturing and R&D activities. The company also plans to construct an incubator space for photonics-based startups with complementary process needs.