History
1976
Comar was started by David Marsh In 1976, in Cambridge, UK. Like a lot of great businesses, it started in a shed at the bottom of the founder’s garden, between the onion beds and the potato patch.
1979
lnitially, David worked as a consultant for the optics and electronics industry, but stock optics quickly became the primary focus of the business. In 1979 the first catalogue was produced, and it paved the way for Comar's success.
1989
ln 1989 the shed had run out of space; it was a choice between the business or the lawn-mower. The lawn- mower won, and Comar moved to a renovated office in Hartington Grove, Cambridge, an increase in floor area of approximately 2250%.
1995
With this new-found space, business grew fast, and it became increasingly focused on custom optics. Comar invested in manufacturing machinery and began manufacturing custom optics.
2000
In 2000, custom business overtook stock business, and Comar dedicated its primary resources to producing custom optics for OEMs. Comar launched the Customize service, for rapid production of custom optics in-house.
2012
2012 marked the instigation of a major business systemisation project, led by incoming new management and a business advice team. Over the next 3 years, this greatly streamlined the company, allowing it to focus it on its core strengths.
2013
2013 was a busy year: Comar incorporated, rebranded, relocated, and gained ISO9001 accreditation. The new office in Linton, Cambridge, was vastly bigger than the last, and the company concentrated its efforts on making the source and supply of optics as easy as possible for OEMs globally.
2018
Comar focuses on assisting design houses with ‘design for manufacture’. 5 years down the line, the new premises have proved a huge success, giving the company room to grow and space to think.
2020
Comar maintained seamless supply through the COVID pandemic, supporting our partners in essential industries.
2022
Comar moves to newer and larger premises nearby, in Haverhill, Cambridge, and achieves the Ecovadis silver medal.