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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ----------------------


                                    FORM 8-K



              CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                  May 12, 2006


                               THE GSI GROUP, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    DELAWARE
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)



                            333-43089     37-0856587
        (Commission File Number)     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


             1004 E. ILLINOIS STREET, ASSUMPTION, ILLINOIS     62510
             (Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)


                                  (217)226-4421
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

/ / Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)

/ / Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)

/ / Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

/ / Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




ITEM  1.01  ENTRY  INTO  A  MATERIAL  DEFINITIVE  AGREEMENT

          Cross  reference  to  Item  8.01

ITEM  2.01  COMPLETION  OF  ACQUISITION  OR  DISPOSITION  OF  ASSETS

          Cross  reference  to  Item  8.01

ITEM  2.04  TRIGGERING  EVENTS  THAT  ACCELERATE  OR DECREASE A DIRECT FINANCIAL
OBLIGATION  OR  AN  OBLIGATION  UNDER  AN  OFF-BALANCE  SHEET  ARRANGEMENT

          Cross  reference  to  Item  8.01

ITEM  8.01  OTHER  EVENTS

     On May 12, 2006 the registrant repurchased a portion of its outstanding 12%
senior  notes  due  in  2013  from  Charlesbank,  an affiliate of the registrant
(Charlesbank  being the majority shareholder of GSI Holdings, Inc., which is the
parent  corporation  of  the  registrant)  at 101% of the principal amount, in a
total  cash  amount  of  $7,474,000,  which  notes  will  be  promptly cancelled
following  the  repurchase.   The repurchase price for the notes was approved by
all  of  the  independent  members (being all members other than the three board
members  who are managing directors of Charlesbank) of the board of directors of
the registrant, and was determined after consulting with Lehman Brothers for the
most  recent  trading  price  for  the  notes,  although  such trading market is
extremely  limited,  and  also  taking into account that the record date for the
semi-annual  payment of interest on the notes was May 1, 2006 for payment on May
15,  2006.  The  cash  price  negotiated  with  Charlesbank by the registrant to
repurchase  the  notes  was  believed by the independent members of the board of
directors  to  be  no  less  favorable  to  the  registrant than would have been
obtained  in  a  comparable  transaction  with an unrelated person, and in their
judgment  was  in  the  best  interests  of  the  registrant.  In  addition, the
independent  directors  of  the  registrant,  upon  advice  from the appropriate
officers  of  the registrant, determined that there was "excess availability" as
that  term  in  defined  in  the  registrant's  Loan and Security Agreement with
Wachovia  Bank, as Agent, both immediately before and immediately following such
repurchase.  The  independent  directors  further  determined,  upon  advice  of
counsel, that such repurchase was permitted under both the registrant's Loan and
security  Agreement  with Wachovia Bank, as Agent, and under its trust indenture
with U.S. Bank National Association.  The effect of the transaction is to reduce
the direct financial obligations of the registrant with respect to its long-term
indebtedness.



                                   SIGNATURES

     PURSUANT  TO  THE  REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE
REGISTRANT  HAS  DULY  CAUSED  THIS  REPORT  TO  BE  SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED  THEREUNTO  DULY  AUTHORIZED.

                                   The GSI Group, Inc.

                                   By:     /s/ John Henderson
                                           ------------------
                                         Chief Financial Officer (Authorized
                                         Signatory)

                               DATE:  MAY 12, 2006