Business briefs

01 Sep 2008

Featuring news from Rofin-Sinar, LG Display, StockerYale, JPSA, GT Solar and more.

• Rofin-Sinar and Manz Automation have announced a strategic alliance aimed at developing a new machine concept for the production of thin-film solar modules. The intention is to combine laser edge ablation and laser cutting of thin-film solar modules, integrating the two successive processes into a single production line. Rofin-Sinar will be responsible for developing the laser cutting technology, which will be used exclusively by Manz Automation in the photovoltaic sector. Manz will develop the production system and integrate the laser technology. The project is expected to take 12 months to develop market-ready machines.

• Amtran Technology and LG Display will establish a joint production facility in China for the manufacture of LCD modules (LCMs) and assembly of LCD TVs. The joint venture will be named Suzhou Raken Technology, and will involve an investment of $48 million according to reports. Operations are expected to start in 2009, with an output of three million LCMs and five million LCD TVs each year.

• StockerYale's cash takeover bid for Virtek Vision International has expired, and StockerYale will not be taking up any of the tendered shares. The takeover bid has been underway for several months and StockerYale has modified its terms on several occasions, but the required 66.66% tender condition was not satisfied.

• Andor Technology, a supplier of imaging and spectroscopy solutions, has signed a global supply agreement with CoolLED to integrate the company's PrecisExcite LED light source for fluorescence microscopy into Andor's range of microscopy systems. The PrecisExcite excitation system is claimed to have a "light-on" lifetime of over 10,000 hours.

• A new North America subsidiary has been created by OPTIS France, a developer of light simulation and visualization software, in a move said to demonstrate its commitment to the American market and strengthen its worldwide presence. OPTIS North America is based in Troy, Michigan, and is exclusively responsible for the sales and technical support of the entire OPTIS product range and services throughout the Americas.

• Optimum Optical Systems has received a contract for the infrared mast-mounted sight (MMS) lens assembly on the US Army's Kiowa Warrior helicopters. The MMS is a multisensor electrical sighting system using visible and infrared technology to gather imagery and target acquisition data on the battlefield. The contract is worth $3.2 million, with delivery due to start in April 2009.

• Scitec Instruments Polska has been appointed distributor for Poland by Owis, a German supplier of optical beam handling and precision positioning systems.

People
• Maurice Covino and Joan Bickmann have been appointed as sales representatives to the photovoltaic manufacturing industry in North America by JP Sercel Associates (JPSA). Covino and Bickmann are partners in Mojo Solar, and will support JPSA's recent entry into the PV market and the supply of laser workstations for processing PV products.

• Bruce Hazeltine has joined GT Solar as director of process development for its silicon group, a new role within the company. Hazeltine will lead initiatives aimed at efficient production of trichlorosilane and silane, essential components of polysilicon used in solar cells.

• Lawrence Tan, formerly Asian sales manager for Veeco Instruments, has joined JPK Instruments to take responsibility for all Asian sales and marketing activities and support JPK's growing installed base of advanced nanotechnology and imaging solutions for the life sciences community. The appointment represents the importance of the Asian market in this sector, and will lead to growth in market share for the company according to a statement.