Where does Leupold source their glass ?

[01911]

I know all these optic companies that assemble imported components in America may be able to maintain current pricing but I don’t know if those imported components will be more expensive in the coming months and I am trying to decide what MPVO that I’ll be getting before the potential price increases.
I would prefer to not support certain countries so does anyone absolutely know where Leupold sources their glass ( crystals ?? ) or where any of the other stateside optics assemblers ( Nightforce ? ) source their glass ?
TY

 

[DIBBS]

Google search AI generated so no verification.

Leupold sources its glass from vendors who meet their stringent quality standards, and these vendors can be located domestically, in Europe, or in Asia. While the base material source is less important than the optical design, Leupold designs its lens systems and employs proprietary lens coatings and construction methods to achieve high-clarity optics.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Source of base material:
  Leupold doesn't have a single domestic supplier for enough high-quality lenses to meet their needs, so they source from a variety of vendors.
  
  
• Vendor selection:
  Vendors must meet Leupold's quality standards, and incoming parts are carefully inspected before being used.
  
  
• Optical design and processing:
  Leupold designs its lens systems, uses proprietary lens coatings, and employs specific construction methods to enhance optical clarity.
  
  
• Asia is a source:
  Leupold has stated that they source glass from a few select and qualified vendors in Asia, according to an Amazon Q&A thread.

 

[diggler1833]

Hasn't been all that long since they even confirmed it was Chy-nah... built to their specs of course. Maybe they've changed suppliers though?

 

[01911]

Hasn't been all that long since they even confirmed it was Chy-nah... built to their specs of course. Maybe they've changed suppliers though?

View attachment 8679730

Even the 4 & 5 HD ?

 

[johnnyvw]

Having been involved with optical grade glass the last 30+ years, I can tell you there are a LOT of optical companies in the US that could probably pick up the slack if need be for the actual finished lenses. However the raw glass stock may be problematic...I'm not sure of how much that may be actually produced here anymore. I know Schott did in their Duryea PA facility but they had a massive fire a few years ago and the product mix there is different now. In Europe they had a major shift away from lead in the glass and that did cause some temporary issues. At trade shows the number of Chinese firms increased every year (they were even showing complete riflescopes).
China can lead many types of manufacturing because they don't give a rats patoot about the environment or worker safety, which drives the cost up for anything made in "first world" countries.

 

[chevy_man]

Japan, Philippines, China.

Last I knew the rep said they weren't using Chinese glass in the scopes, but binos and rangefinders are Chinese to be cost competitive.

Glass is harder than most think. Vortex was real slow on inventory with the AMG line where they were making their own glass. Last I saw they dropped them because of glass availability.


There are a ton of prescription lens grinders in the US. There's not a lot of companies that can do the coatings or keep up with the volume for scope lenses.

 

[Matches Malone]

AGMs are still being made and still made in the USA. Minus the reticle which is made in Germany