IBM purchases HRL Labs for undisclosed amount
In an effort to scale its quantum capabilities, global tech firm IBM has purchased HRL Laboratories, a flagship research and development institution, for an undisclosed amount, the company announced July 23.
Based in Malibu but housing major operations in Camarillo, HRL is a private company jointly owned by Boeing and General Motors. Both Boeing and GM will continue to partner with IBM on quantum applications and advanced technology development following the transaction, according to the press release.
“Joining IBM is the natural next chapter for what we have built at HRL, where our team has dedicated years to exploring paths to how future quantum computers could be built at scales that today seem impossible,” said Rob Vasquez, president and CEO at HRL.
“We now look forward to leveraging IBM’s industry leadership and working alongside their world-class talent on fundamental infrastructure to take this vision forward. Additionally, our cutting-edge physical and information science innovations will combine with their advanced research capabilities to deliver an unmatched suite of technology solutions for our commercial and government customers.”
HRL has developed innovations in novel quantum materials that have the potential to unlock better semiconductors and more sensitive sensors — all of which can optimize the performance and scalability of a wide range of quantum technologies, according to the press release.
Additionally, HRL brings deep expertise in advanced sensors, high-speed and high-power communications, electronics, advanced manufacturing and materials science, developed through decades of research and development for both commercial and U.S. government customers.
HRL has been the birthplace of numerous technological breakthroughs, including being a leader in the radar technology space. In 2024 alone, HRL was granted 69 patents.
“With over 1,100 patents and counting, we’re proud of our talented group of researchers, who continue the long tradition of technical excellence and innovation,” HRL’s history page said.
This broad technology portfolio will complement IBM’s innovation leadership and help accelerate the development of next-generation computing, communications and mission-critical systems, according to the press release.
“The HRL team will help IBM push even farther forward toward the frontiers of quantum innovation,” said Jay Gambetta, IBM’s director of research and IBM fellow. “This talented group of researchers brings a broad portfolio of technologies that will strengthen IBM’s long-term plans to deliver useful quantum computing to the world, bringing together advances across quantum computing, quantum sensing and quantum networking to enable the applications of the future.”
In May 2025, HRL moved into a new 60,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Camarillo. The Camarillo facility focuses on the fabrication and manufacturing of infrared focal planes primarily for space applications, but also for defense-related applications, Brad Jones, vice president of HRL and the manager of the Camarillo facility, told the Business Times last year.
At the time, HRL employed about 60 people at the Camarillo facility alone, with many others still working at the company’s headquarters in Malibu. The plan was to grow to about 120 employees at the Camarillo facility in the next few years. The Camarillo facility also gave HRL about six times its previous capacity.
“I have aspirations that one day we’ll need more than 60,000 square feet. But for right now, for the foreseeable future, this is going to be plenty, and we are excited,” Jones said.
IBM representatives did not return the Business Times’ request for comment about plans for HRL’s Camarillo facility.
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