Advanced Thin Films Celebrates 50 Years of the Hmong Community in the U.S. 

In 2025, the Hmong community will mark 50 years since their arrival to the United States. Many Hmong people migrated as refugees following the Vietnam War, striving to preserve their rich heritage while establishing new lives. 

This significant milestone has motivated employees at Advanced Thin Films (ATF) — a unit of IDEX in Longmont, Colorado, with a significant Hmong employee population – to sponsor and attend a community gala to honor the Hmong community and raise funds for the Hmong American Association (HMAAC). 

The inaugural gala, which took place in March, showcased the strong partnership between ATF and HMAAC. ATF was proudly represented, with 20 employees attending to support the cause. During the event, ATF and the IDEX Foundation were presented with a quilt, a token of gratitude from the HMAAC. 

This quilt, a tapestry of history and resilience, has been cherished by Hmong families for over 60 years. It vividly narrates their journey from Laos to refugee camps, where quilts were crafted to sustain livelihoods. 

For the past six years, ATF has collaborated with the Hmong American Association based in Colorado, U.S.A. Their partnership began during the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by the IDEX Foundation. The local team organized a Thanksgiving Food Drive and volunteered at various cultural events, including the Summer Festival and the annual New Year’s Event in November. 

In addition to these events, ATF has played a crucial role in the expansion of the association’s Dance Academy, which has grown from seven to 36 students across all age groups. Furthermore, there are nine students involved in mentorship programs, receiving direct support from ATF employees. 

As the year unfolds, ATF eagerly anticipates further engagement with the Hmong community during their highly anticipated New Year Event in November. 

Advanced Thin Films has a diverse background and technical expertise in coating, metrology and manufacturing.  The team provides precision laser optics and assemblies to the telecommunications, high energy research, industrial, aerospace, biomedical, and semiconductor industries.