Business briefs

24 Mar 2006

Including news from Rofin-Sinar, JDSU, FLIR Systems, Quantel and a possible merger between telecommunications giants Lucent Technologies and Alcatel.

•  Rofin-Sinar Technologies has acquired a 40% stake in H2B Photonics of Germany. Further details were not disclosed. H2B specialises in laser-based systems for cutting brittle metals such as glass, which are used for plasma screen displays, windows and automotive parts. H2B was founded in 2005 as a spin-off from Laser Zentrum Hanover (LZH), Germany.

•  Telecommunication giants Lucent Technologies and Alcatel have confirmed that they are in talks over a potential merger. "Lucent and Alcatel are engaged in discussions about a potential merger of equals that is intended to be priced at the market," said a statement from Lucent. "There can be no assurances that any agreement will be reached or that a transaction will be consummated."

•  Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is investing around EURO 30 million in its automotive headlighting competence centre in Aachen, Germany. The investment will pay for the installation of an ultra-modern production line for Philips' xenon arc lamps. The company says that xenon headlights produce three times as much light and consume 50% less energy that traditional halogen headlights.

•  Quantel of France and two financial bodies have invested a total of EURO 1.3 million into short-pulsed fiber laser specialist FEMLIGHT. Quantel and FEMLIGHT will now team up to develop a fiber-laser product for industrial applications that is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2007. Quantel says this investment reaffirms its strategic decision to become a significant player in the promising fiber laser market.

•  FLIR Systems has received a contract to provide 14 thermal imaging cameras for use at Houston's George Bush International and William P. Hobby airports. The cameras will form part of a video processing and radar surveillance system that protects more than 30 miles of perimeter at the two US airports. The thermal cameras will provide video coverage in areas where ground-based radar is obstructed by buildings or other objects.

•  Micronic Laser Systems, the Swedish supplier of laser pattern generators for photomasks, has established a subsidiary in Anyang, Kyunggi do, near Seoul, South Korea. Called Micronic Laser Systems Korea Co Ltd, the subsidiary will conduct sales, installation and customer support operations in the local market.

•  SANYO Electric and Quanta Computer are forming a joint venture targeting the flat-panel TV market. The new company will manufacture and sell flat-panel displays under the SANYO brand whilst continuing to expand upon Quanta's FP-TV ODM business.

•  JDSU has named Nosco of the US as a SecureShift partner for the production of pharmaceutical labels in North America. SecureShift inks contain color-shifting pigments to deter counterfeiting. JDSU's SecureShift authorised partner program allows participants to supply SecureShift technology for pharmaceutical brand protection.

•  Biolase of the US, a maker of laser-based systems for dentistry and medical applications, has launched operations in both Australia and New Zealand. Biolase Australia Pty Ltd and Biolase NZ Limited will provide direct sales, service and custom support in their respective countries.