COMPANY BACKGROUND

HGH Infrared Systems was founded in 1982, by experts in infrared technology in France: Rene Houis, Gilbert Gaussorgues, and Francois Hubert. Before creating HGH, F. Hubert and R. Houis were working for AGA Infrared Systems, pioneer in the development of infrared cameras for industrial inspection. G. Gaussorgues was the director of the French Navy optronics laboratory and was working as a consultant for AGA. 

Initially, HGH’s main business segments were:

• Feasibility studies and opto-electronical prototype developments for the Defense, Space and Nuclear Industries: based on the founders’ expertise, HGH quickly became a key partner to the French defense laboratories, to develop specific test benches and optronic systems meeting client specifications
• Thermographic cameras (distributed in Europe): TVS cameras from AVIO and LAIRD cameras from NIKON.

In 2001, the founders sold the company to the HGH’s sales director, Thierry Campos. Thierry Campos then changed the strategy of the company, by focusing resources and efforts on technological innovation toward a specific range of advanced products readily available off the shelf. HGH’s activity was then re-organized around three main market segments:

• Defense and Civil Security, with the SPYNEL® series, infrared panoramic surveillance systems.
• Thermography for Industrial applications, with a complete line of IR scanners and sensors to control and monitor manufacturing processes in a wide range of industries such as cement, glass, steel, metallurgy, paper, tobacco, plastic and electronics industries.
• Optronic Test and Metrology Equipment, with products ranging from blackbodies and collimators to integrated test benches, for laboratories, IR sensors developers and manufacturers, and army maintenance services.

In addition, since the early 2000s, HGH has accelerated its international presence, with the opening of subsidiaries and sales offices outside France, and representatives in 50 countries:

• In 2004, opening of a sales and service office in Beijing, China.
• In 2008, opening of a subsidiary in Boston, MA – USA.
• In 2010, opening of a sales office in Bengaluru, India.
• In 2012, opening of ASIA Infrared Systems, subsidiary of HGH Systèmes Infrarouges in Singapore.