Organization and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and Basis of Presentation	1. Organization and Basis of Presentation Novanta Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Novanta”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is a leading global supplier of core technology solutions that give medical and advanced industrial original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) a competitive advantage. Novanta combines deep proprietary technology expertise and competencies in photonics, vision and precision motion with a proven ability to solve complex technical challenges. This enables Novanta to engineer core components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance, tailored to the customers’ demanding applications. Basis of Presentation These consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., applied on a consistent basis. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Novanta Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Prior to January 10, 2017, the Company had an approximately 41% ownership interest in Laser Quantum Limited (“Laser Quantum”), a privately held company located in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), which was accounted for under the equity method of accounting. On January 10, 2017, the Company acquired an additional approximately 35% of the outstanding shares of Laser Quantum for $31.1 million in cash. As a result of this transaction, the Company’s ownership in Laser Quantum increased from approximately 41% to approximately 76%. Since January 10, 2017, Laser Quantum has been consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. On September 27, 2018, the Company acquired the remaining approximately 24% of the outstanding shares of Laser Quantum for an aggregate consideration of $45.1 million in cash and restricted stock.

Organization and Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Novanta Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Novanta”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is a leading global supplier of core technology solutions that give medical and advanced industrial original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) a competitive advantage. Novanta combines deep proprietary technology expertise and competencies in photonics, vision and precision motion with a proven ability to solve complex technical challenges. This enables Novanta to engineer core components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance, tailored to the customers’ demanding applications.

Basis of Presentation

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., applied on a consistent basis.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Novanta Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Prior to January 10, 2017, the Company had an approximately 41% ownership interest in Laser Quantum Limited (“Laser Quantum”), a privately held company located in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), which was accounted for under the equity method of accounting. On January 10, 2017, the Company acquired an additional approximately 35% of the outstanding shares of Laser Quantum for $31.1 million in cash. As a result of this transaction, the Company’s ownership in Laser Quantum increased from approximately 41% to approximately 76%. Since January 10, 2017, Laser Quantum has been consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. On September 27, 2018, the Company acquired the remaining approximately 24% of the outstanding shares of Laser Quantum for an aggregate consideration of $45.1 million in cash and restricted stock.