In UK move, JDS Uniphase acquires Sifam

JDS Uniphase (San Jose, CA) is continuing its run of acquisitions by buying Sifam Ltd. (Torquay, Devon, England) for approximately $96 million in cash. The company, founded in 1985 with roots going back to France in the 1920s, employs 180 people and makes fused components for fiberoptic telecommunications networks, including couplers, wavelength-division multiplexers, and gain-flattening filters. Sifam will divest itself of business units that are not involved in fiberoptics before an anticipated closing of the deal in December. The company said it does not require any governmental approvals and that holders of more than 90% of Sifam shares have already executed binding agreements to accept the JDS Uniphase offer. JDS Uniphase has been a customer of Sifam and expects its use of the company's fused coupler and other products to grow as JDS Uniphase expands its fiber-amplifier business.