ADC acquisition expands FTTX portfolio
ADC (Minneapolis, MN) is acquiring Fiber Optic Network Solutions (FONS; Marlboro, MA), a manufacturer of high-performance passive optical components and fiberoptic cable packaging, distribution, and connectivity solutions, for $172 million in cash. According to the companies, the deal will further enhance ADC’s existing line of fiber-to-the-x (FTTX) solutions and will support its long-term goal of being the leading global provider of network infrastructure solutions.
A privately held company financed by two rounds of venture investing and owned by Oak Investment Partners, Morgenthaler Partners, and its employees, FONS has approximately 60 employees worldwide and estimated 2005 sales of $95 million. In addition to its corporate headquarters in Massachusetts, FONS has strategic partnerships and outsourcing relationships in Mexico, Japan, and China.
Former Coherent VP becomes BinOptics CEO
Michael Cumbo, former executive vice president and general manager of the optical components business at Coherent (Santa Clara, CA), is now CEO of BinOptics (Ithaca, NY), manufacturer of integrated photonic components for datacom, telecom, and optical-storage applications. Cofounder Alex Behfar, who was BinOptics CEO, will continue to serve as chairman of the board and will also assume the newly created role of chief technology officer.
“The company is now poised to disrupt the market for fiber-to-the-home components, and is well-positioned in the market for the blue semiconductor lasers that will be used in next-generation DVD players,” said Cumbo. “Furthermore, BinOptics has unique IP that will enable cost effective, handheld chemical and biological detection devices needed for homeland security.”
U.K. collaboration targets infrared fiber surgery
ChG Southampton-a spinoff of the University of Southampton-is collaborating with a team from King’s College (London, England) to develop an infrared optical-fiber-based system for surgical applications. The glasses developed by ChG transmit infrared light, which cannot be transmitted by conventional silica optical fiber. Infrared radiation is readily absorbed by human tissue, making it ideal for laser surgery. The first potential application targeted by the company is a laser scalpel that can destroy salivary duct stones. ChG has been awarded a SMART grant for research and development from the U.K. Department of Trade and Industry.
Apogee Photonics born from merger
ASIP (Somerset, NJ) and T-Networks (Allentown, PA) are merging into a newly formed company called Apogee Photonics and have secured $9.7 million in new financing. Apogee Photonics will provide fiberoptic components that offer a high level of integration with reduced complexity and cost. Customers will benefit from an expanded product portfolio that uses hybrid and monolithic integration technologies to allow simplified design and production of communication systems. Mike Decelle, the former CEO of ASIP, has been named CEO of Apogee Photonics.
NeoPhotonics, Photon Technology merge
NeoPhotonics (San Jose, CA) and Photon Technology (Shenzhen, China) completed their merger; the combined company is called NeoPhotonics, expects revenues to exceed $50 million in 2005, has more than 1200 employees, and has more than 100 customers, many of which are tier-one network equipment suppliers.
“The merged company is a ‘one stop shop’ for optical components, with a complete line of active and passive modules from the core to the edge of the network-and a particularly strong product portfolio for the booming FTTP [fiber-to-the-premise] sector,” said Tim Jenks, chairman and CEO of NeoPhotonics.
Gail Overton
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Also in the news . . .
Redfern Integrated Optics (RIO; Santa Clara, CA), a developer and manufacturer of optical transmitters for the telecommunications and data transmission markets, secured $6.2 million in financing. . . . ILX Lightwave(Bozeman, MT) donated a laser-diode test system to the Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (Hubei, China) as part of its International University Donation Program, established to assist colleges and universities in creating quality photonics programs. . . . Sagitta (Hauppauge, NY), a fiberoptic process equipment supplier for components and connectors, will distribute its new Comet laser-cleaving system for optical connectors in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, through the Fiber Optic Center (FOC; New Bedford, MA). . . . Oxsensis (Oxfordshire, England) secured £890,000 (US$1.57 million) from public and private investors, to accelerate development of its fiberoptic harsh-environment sensors. . . . Continuum Photonics (Billerica, MA) and Polatis (Cambridge, England), makers of optical-switch subsystems and module products, have agreed to merge; the new company will maintain its U.S. and U.K. offices and operations.