September 9, 2008--Trumpf (Ditzingen, Germany) and SPI Lasers (Southampton, England) announced that Trumpf intends to make an offer to buy the entire share capital of SPI Lasers. The combination of SPI Lasers' products, fiber laser technology, engineering, and manufacturing along with Trumpf's complementary technology and resources will enable Trumpf to quickly establish a leading position in the rapidly growing fiber laser sector, allowing Trumpf to offer a full range of laser solutions for its customers.
Trumpf expects that SPI Lasers will be a center of fiber laser excellence within the Trumpf group. SPI Lasers will operate as a merchant laser business unit within the Laser Technology and Electronics Division of Trumpf and will continue to produce its growing portfolio of OEM and stand-alone fiber laser solutions. The business will operate from the existing facilities in Southampton, England.
Commenting on today's announcement, Peter Leibinger, vice-chairman of the managing board and head of the Laser Technology and Electronics Division of Trumpf, said, "I firmly believe that both SPI Lasers and Trumpf will benefit from this proposed transaction. While the overall market for industrial lasers is expected to grow further in the future, particular growth is expected in the lower-power range, an area in which SPI Lasers' products have already established a strong market presence. A broad product portfolio of SPI Lasers in the fiber laser segment would complement Trumpf's existing product and technology platforms and create a stronger combined industrial laser offering."
David Parker, CEO of SPI Lasers, added, "We are delighted by this announcement. Whilst we are proud of our achievements to date there is no doubt that with the support of the Trumpf organization we can take the business to a higher level and be a major player in this exciting sector. We see many opportunities to leverage our world-class technology position into new products and markets and look forward to working within the Trumpf group to achieve this."
For more information, visit www.spilasers.com.
