Huber+Suhner acquires Cube Optics

05 Nov 2014

Swiss optical communications systems developer buys German WDM specialist.

Optical systems developer HUBER+SUHNER, Herisau, Switzerland, has announced the acquisition of the Mainz, Germany-based Cube Optics. Cube develops wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) solutions based on injection molding and fiber optic technology. The parties did not disclose the sales price but said that the deal is being financed entirely from company funds.

WDM products and systems provide a cost-efficient solution for boosting the data transmission rate of fiber optic connectivity and networks. Compared with competitor products, these solutions offer low space requirements, high quality and excellent performance, the new owner claims.

Urs Kaufmann, CEO of HUBER+SUHNER, said, “Cube’s WDM portfolio ideally complements our existing product range, especially in the strategic market segments of data centers and fiber to the home. By this acquisition, our company will gain access to free space optics technology, also to new customers in the growing field of transceiver production and, above all, we are gaining well-qualified employees.

"Synergies will be generated by the companies' global sales networks and by our product combinations. We anticipate a simple integration process characterized by continuity and will continue to rely on the current management team of Cube Optics and on Mainz as a location."

Plug-and-play

For example, Cube Optics’ Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing Network-Cubes are flexible plug-and-play network solutions that allow network operators to cost-effectively implement point-to-point or ring-based WDM optical networks.

Dr. Thomas Paatzsch, who now succeeds Francis Nedvidek as Cube’s General Manager, commented, "The global presence and size of HUBER+SUHNER opens up new possibilities for us, while offering ideal conditions for the future success of our technology. To our partners and customers all contracts and operations remain unchanged and all responsibilities and current contacts and interfaces remain the same."

Established in 2000, Cube Optics employs around 140 people in Mainz. In addition to its headquarters and research centre in Germany, the company also has local sales partners in various markets. In 2013, the company generated net sales of €18.9 million. Cube Optics AG is now structured as an independent business unit and its previous management team remains in situ.

About the Author

Matthew Peach is a contributing editor tooptics.org.