Han's Laser

Han's Laser is a Chinese industrial technology company headquartered in Shenzhen and focused on the manufacture and sale of industrial laser equipment. Its portfolio covers laser sources, optical and photonic components, marking and engraving systems, cutting and welding machinery, microfabrication equipment, and integrated production solutions. The company serves manufacturers that use lasers for material processing, electronics production, automotive work, semiconductor-related applications, metal fabrication, consumer products, and other industrial processes. The company was founded in Shenzhen in 1996 by Gao Yunfeng, who had previously taught at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Its origins lay in a practical problem encountered while repairing an imported industrial machine. The difficulty and delay involved in obtaining foreign technical support led Gao to establish a locally based business that could develop and service industrial laser technology for Chinese customers. Han's Laser initially worked with button manufacturers, using laser technology to print logos and other marks. Shenzhen's large pool of engineering graduates helped the company build an in-house research and development capability. To fund expansion, Gao initially surrendered controlling ownership to outside investors, including Shenzhen HTI Group. The resulting governance arrangement later produced a conflict between Gao and the management team selected by the investor group. In 2001, Gao regained control through a share repurchase and the company underwent a restructuring. That same year, Han's Laser began developing overseas markets. The company strengthened its technical base by engaging prominent scientists and researchers, including Wang Daheng as a technology consultant in 2000 and other specialists associated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Han's Laser completed an initial public offering in 2004 and became a Shenzhen-listed company. Its growth benefited from the expansion of Chinese manufacturing and, later, from industrial-policy support for domestic advanced manufacturing and the demand associated with the Made in China 2025 agenda. A distinguishing feature of the business has been the breadth of its product range across multiple laser-processing applications rather than concentration on a single machine category. The company also pursued international expansion through acquisitions and overseas facilities. In November 2016, it acquired CorActive High-Tech, a Quebec-based producer of specialty optical fiber and fiber-laser modules. In 2019, the company faced intense scrutiny over the status and use of funds associated with a proposed European research and development center in Switzerland. Han's Laser denied that funds had been misappropriated, while the controversy led to substantial market-price declines and criticism of the company's communications. Han's Laser remains an active industrial laser supplier with business interests spanning equipment, laser sources, optical technologies, and automation-oriented manufacturing systems. In the 2020s, reporting described an expansion of its United States footprint through land purchased in Manor, Texas, potentially for a production project. Later reporting also described efforts to broaden the company's market exposure beyond semiconductors as demand conditions in industrial lasers changed.

Han's Laser was established in Shenzhen in 1996 by Gao Yunfeng, an academic with a background at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The business emerged from Gao's experience helping repair an imported industrial machine. Because foreign suppliers provided limited and slow technical support to customers in China at the time, the repair experience suggested an opportunity for a domestic company able to provide both equipment and technical service. Gao used approximately CNY 400,000 received for the repair work to rent premises and start the company. The young company initially supplied laser-based logo printing services to button manufacturers. Shenzhen was selected in part because its expanding technology economy attracted graduates who could form an engineering and research team. As the company sought capital, Gao gave up control to investors including Shenzhen HTI Group. The investor-backed management structure later became a source of conflict. In 2001, Gao borrowed money to buy back enough shares to restore his control, after which the company was reorganized. Han's Laser also began its international expansion during 2001. The company invested heavily in scientific expertise. In 2000, it appointed Wang Daheng as a technology consultant and recruited other researchers connected with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. These appointments supported the development of a wider technical platform covering laser sources, optical systems, and industrial applications. Han's Laser subsequently moved from service work and individual applications toward a broad portfolio of industrial equipment and manufacturing solutions. In 2004, Han's Laser carried out its initial public offering and became listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The listing supplied a larger capital base for product development, manufacturing, and market expansion. The company benefited from the growth of Chinese electronics and general manufacturing, as well as policy support for domestic advanced manufacturing. Its relatively extensive range of laser products allowed it to address several industrial sectors and processing requirements. Internationalization continued through corporate acquisitions. In November 2016, Han's Laser purchased CorActive High-Tech in Quebec, Canada. CorActive's specialty optical fiber and fiber-laser module capabilities complemented Han's existing laser-equipment activities and broadened its access to photonics technologies. The company encountered a major governance and reputational controversy in 2019. Tiger Vision Financial Research questioned the authenticity and use of funds connected with a Swiss European research and development center, alleging that approximately CNY 1.1 billion had been diverted to a luxury hotel project. Han's Laser denied the allegations and stated that the research center was an independent project. A visit reported at the center's registered address in Engelberg found a very small office, intensifying public criticism. The controversy was accompanied by sharp falls in the company's share price. The episode also involved public criticism of Gao Yunfeng's response to a China Central Television interview. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange criticized his remarks, and Han's Laser later apologized. Separately, in March 2019, the company's foreign-ownership level caused its shares to become unavailable for new purchases through the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect mechanism. MSCI removed the company from a relevant China All Shares index because foreign investors faced potential difficulties in obtaining exposure. In the 2020s, reporting linked Han's Laser to a possible manufacturing investment in Manor, Texas, after the company reportedly purchased roughly 262 acres there in 2023. Later reporting described the company as seeking additional markets beyond semiconductor-related applications while industrial laser demand was under pressure. The company remains an active Chinese industrial laser manufacturer with a portfolio spanning processing equipment, laser sources, optical components, and integrated production systems.

• 2023

  Reported Texas land purchase

  [1]Han's Laser - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  The company is reported to have bought approximately 262 acres in Manor, Texas, potentially for a future factory project.

• 2019

  Foreign-ownership threshold affects trading access

  [1]Han's Laser - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  The company's shares are removed from new purchases through Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect after foreign ownership approaches the applicable statutory ceiling.

• 2019

  Swiss research-center controversy

  [1]Han's Laser - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  A research report challenges the company's account of a Swiss R&D project; Han's Laser denies any misuse of funds.

• 2016

  CorActive High-Tech acquisition

  [1]Han's Laser - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  Han's Laser acquires the Quebec-based specialty optical-fiber and fiber-laser-module manufacturer.

• 2004

  Initial public offering

  [1]Han's Laser - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  Han's Laser becomes a publicly listed company on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

• 2001

  Control is restored to Gao Yunfeng

  [1]Han's Laser - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  Following a dispute with investor-appointed management, Gao repurchases shares and the company is restructured. Han's Laser also begins overseas expansion.

• 2000

  Wang Daheng joins as technology consultant

  [1]Han's Laser - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  The company brings in Wang Daheng and other scientific personnel to strengthen its research and development capabilities.

• 1996

  Han's Laser is founded in Shenzhen

  [1]Han's Laser - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org

  Gao Yunfeng establishes the company after an imported-machine repair experience highlights the need for domestic industrial laser expertise and service.

A broad-line industrial laser and photonics supplier combining laser sources, processing machinery, components, and integrated automation for manufacturing customers.

• Industrial laser processing

  Laser marking and engraving systems

  Systems that use focused laser beams to mark, engrave, or code components and finished goods. These products are used for logos, serial numbers, traceability information, and decorative or functional patterns across electronics, consumer products, industrial parts, and other manufactured items.

• Industrial laser processing

  Laser cutting systems

  Industrial machinery designed to cut sheet, plate, or other materials with controlled laser energy. Han's Laser's broad industrial positioning places cutting equipment within a wider manufacturing portfolio serving metalworking, electronics, automotive, and other production applications.

• Industrial laser processing

  Laser welding systems

  Laser welding equipment for joining components with concentrated heat and controlled process parameters. Such systems support applications where manufacturers require precision, repeatability, low thermal distortion, or automation in assembly and fabrication.

• Laser sources and photonics

  Fiber lasers and optical components

  Laser-source and photonics technologies used as subsystems in industrial processing equipment. The 2016 acquisition of CorActive High-Tech expanded Han's Laser's capabilities in specialty optical fiber and fiber-laser modules.

• Automation and production systems

  Integrated laser manufacturing solutions

  Equipment and systems that combine laser sources, motion control, optics, software, and production automation. These integrated offerings enable customers to deploy laser processing within larger manufacturing lines rather than as isolated standalone machines.

• 2019

  Swiss European R&D center allegations

  Tiger Vision Financial Research alleged that money assigned to a Swiss European research and development center had been diverted to construct a luxury hotel. Han's Laser rejected the allegation, describing the center as an independent project. Reporting about the small office at the center's registered address intensified scrutiny, and the company's shares declined sharply.

  Source

• 2019

  Chairman criticism and subsequent apology

  During a television interview about the R&D-center controversy, Gao Yunfeng reacted angrily to the reporter's questions. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange criticized the remarks, and Han's Laser later issued an apology.

  Source

Read more

• 2025

  Broaden market exposure beyond semiconductorsStrategy

  Background

  Industrial laser demand was reported to be weakening, increasing the need for applications and customer segments beyond semiconductors.

  Action taken

  Han's Laser was reported to be expanding its product offering into additional markets.

  Aftermath

  The cited material does not provide enough information to assess the financial or operational outcome of this shift.

  Source

• 2023

  Develop a possible Texas manufacturing siteStrategy

  Background

  Han's Laser was reported to be increasing its physical presence in the United States.

  Action taken

  The company reportedly purchased approximately 262 acres in Manor, Texas, in a transaction associated with a potential factory project.

  Aftermath

  The reported project could eventually support more than 1,000 jobs, although the cited material does not establish that the factory was completed or fully operational.

  Source

• 2016

  Acquire CorActive High-TechM&A

  Background

  Han's Laser sought to deepen its photonics and laser-source capabilities as it expanded internationally.

  Action taken

  It acquired CorActive High-Tech, a Quebec-based producer of specialty optical fiber and fiber-laser modules.

  Aftermath

  The transaction broadened the company's component and fiber-laser technology base.

  Source

• 2001

  Expand overseasStrategy

  Background

  After a dispute over investor-appointed management and a subsequent restructuring, Han's Laser sought to extend its business beyond China.

  Action taken

  The company stated that it was beginning overseas-market expansion.

  Aftermath

  International activity later included the acquisition of Canadian photonics company CorActive High-Tech and reported plans for a U.S. manufacturing presence.

  Source

• 1996

  Build a domestic industrial laser businessStrategy

  Background

  Gao Yunfeng's difficulty obtaining timely support for an imported industrial machine exposed a service and technology gap in the Chinese market.

  Action taken

  He established Han's Laser in Shenzhen and initially focused on practical laser services for manufacturers.

  Aftermath

  The company developed from button-logo marking into a broad industrial laser-equipment and photonics supplier.

  Source

• 2020.11.10

  Han's Laser announces plan to spin off Han's CNC for a Shenzhen listing[2]大族激光宣布拟分拆大族数控上市stock.caijing.com.cn

  Han's Laser announced a plan to spin off its subsidiary Han's CNC for a listing on the ChiNext market. The plan still required shareholder approval and regulatory approval, and the offering size, timing and pricing had not been determined.

Read more

1. 1Han's Laser - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2大族激光宣布拟分拆大族数控上市stock.caijing.com.cn