Business briefs

03 Mar 2006

Including news from Bookham, CIP, Vodafone, FLIR, IEE and more.

General company news:

•  Bookham intends to acquire Avalon Photonics, a Swiss-based supplier of single-mode and multi-mode VCSELs. The $5.5 million all-share deal is expected to close this month and includes a bonus payment based on Avalon's performance over a two year period.

•  Vodafone has selected Oki Electric Industry's face recognition technology for use in its Japanese mobile phones. The system takes advantage of a handset's built-in camera sensor to verify the user's id and is said to be more convenient than password protection. Oki's so-called "face sensing engine" will be embedded in the Vodafone 904SH handset manufactured by Sharp, which is due for release later next month.

•  Sony and NEC have established a joint venture to develop, produce and market optical disc drives. Dubbed Sony NEC Optiarc, the firm is due to be launched next month following initial restructuring by Sony and NEC as the companies separate their respective optical disc drive businesses to create the joint venture. Shinichi Yamamura, currently deputy president of Sony's video business group, will serve as president of the new firm.

•  Luxembourg-based IEE, a developer of 2D and 3D imaging devices, has opened an office in Beijing, China. The firm, which specializes in automotive passenger detection systems, plans to open a factory in China at the end of this year.

•  FLIR believes that recreational marine vessels could offer a potentially large market for thermal imaging systems and has announced its first order for a sport fishing application. The firm's SeaFLIR III product is to be installed on an Ullberg 90 yacht to detect neighboring vessels at a range of up to 10 km.

Contracts and distribution:

•  The centre for integrated photonics (CIP), UK, has appointed AMS Technologies as its pan-European distributor. A specialist in optoelectronic and fiber optic markets, AMS has offices in Germany, Italy, Spain, France and the UK.

•  DALSA has received two image sensor development contracts worth a total of CAD$2.3 million. According to the Canadian firm, the contracts are from customers in professional imaging and life science sectors and have the potential for follow-on orders.

•  ACOL Technologies, Switzerland, has signed a distribution agreement with US firm Micro Lamps. The deal gives ACOL access to the North American HB LED market. Applications include automotive lighting, road and rail signaling, commercial signage and general illumination.