Celebrating 25 Years of High-Tech Manufacturing
June 21st, 2024 marks a significant milestone in the world of high-tech manufacturing as Hana Technologies, Inc. (Hana) of Solon, Ohio celebrates its 25th anniversary. Over the past quarter-century, Hana has transformed from a promising startup into a powerhouse of innovation, embodying the spirit of technological advancement and manufacturing excellence in the USA.
The Genesis of a Visionary Enterprise
Hana Technologies was established in 1999 as Hana Microdisplay Technologies, Inc., with a focused mission on Liquid Crystal Displays and Devices. Co-founders Luc Bauer and John Erdmann brought together their extraordinary expertise and vision to create the first Hana company outside of Asia. Dr. Bauer, a seasoned semiconductor industry veteran with a PhD in Engineering Science from Caltech, and Dr. Erdmann, a PhD in Physics from the Liquid Crystal Institute specializing in LCD factory start-ups, laid a robust foundation for Hana’s future.
Diversification and Expansion
As technology evolved, so did Hana. The company quickly diversified beyond Liquid Crystal Displays, venturing into various high-tech domains including embeddable tire tags, infrared camera modules, and radio frequency identification (RFID) inlays. This strategic expansion led to the dropping of “Microdisplay” from its name, signaling a broader technological horizon.
One of Hana’s groundbreaking achievements came in 2005 with the creation of a reliable RFID tire tag. This innovation enabled tire manufacturers to embed tags during the tire-making process, ensuring trustworthy identification that lasts the tire’s lifetime. Today, Hana continues to dominate the industry, supplying the majority of RFID tire tags globally.
Technological Milestones and Global Reach
In 2004, Hana began producing RFID Inlays and has since ramped up its production capacity to over 3 billion inlays annually. The company’s commitment to innovation and quality has made it a global leader in the production of infrared camera modules and Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) devices, with millions of units produced.
The recent move to a new 120,000 square foot facility in 2023, situated on over 10 acres of land, underscores Hana’s commitment to growth and innovation. With Ohio as its RFID technology hub, Hana also leverages its sister companies in Thailand and China to meet the global demand for its RFID products.
A Legacy of Excellence and a Future of Promise
“I’m proud of our 25-year history and the position we are in today. We are very capable and looking forward to continued growth, creating rewarding careers with terrific benefits for our employees here in Ohio, and around the world. I am very thankful for the support of the Hana family, especially in the first two years before we could stand on our own. I am also very grateful for the wisdom and mentoring of Luc Bauer in the first couple of years, which helped us launch in the right direction.”
John Erdmann – CEO at Hana RFID
As Hana Technologies celebrates this significant anniversary, it stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence in high-tech manufacturing. The company’s journey from a niche startup to a global leader is a testament to its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and growth. Hana Technologies is looking forward to the next 25 years continuing to shape the future of technology and manufacturing in the USA and beyond.