Business Briefs

25 Aug 2006

Including news from Candela Laser, IPG Photonics, Dynasil, AMS Technologies, Fiberguide, Datalase, Rofin Sinar, Aixtron and Trimedyne.

• Candela Corp. has announced that revenues for its Q4 and full year 2005-6 were $41.3 million and $149.5 million, respectively, representing increases of 7% and 21% on the same periods a year ago. The company reported net income for the quarter was $ 2.4 million compared with $3.2 million. For the full year, Candela reported net income of $14.9 million.

• Dynasil, West Berlin, NJ, US and Evaporated Metal Films (EMF), Ithaca, NY, have announced that Dynasil is to acquire 100% of the stock of EMF for cash. Dynasil manufactures optical blanks from synthetic fused silica and other optical materials systems for the laser, optical instrument, and general optics markets. EMF produces optical thin-film coatings and offers complementary coatings capabilities for Dynasil products including its Optometrics subsidiary.

• IPG Photonics has opened a sales and service office in Detroit, MI, US, and appointed Michael Klos as the company's Midwest operations manager. With 27 years of experience in laser technology, Klos has an extensive background in beam delivery, cutting and welding heads, auto-focus systems, seam tracking and fiber delivery. IPG develops fiber lasers and amplifiers for diverse applications. Its headquarters is in Oxford, MA, US, and the company operates facilities in Germany, Russia and Italy, and it has regional sales offices in the US, Japan, Korea, India and the UK.

• Fiberguide Industries, a manufacturer of specialty optical fibers and OEM assemblies has entered a distribution agreement with AMS Technologies, a technology-based distributor representing high-tech solutions across Europe. "This is a major step for Fiberguide being able to better respond to customers' needs locally," said Ted Rich, founder and president of Fiberguide. Fiberguide is an established manufacturer of specialty optical fibers and OEM assemblies adding greater depth to its technology base.

• DataLase, Atlanta, GA, US, formerly Sherwood Technology and originator of the DataLase process, has opened a North American headquarters under the name DataLase Inc. The facility is in Atlanta's Technology Park, 30 min from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. DataLase has appointed Christine Mest as Sales & Marketing Coordinator for the new US-based headquarters.

• Rofin-Sinar Technologies, a developer of high-performance lasers and laser-based solutions, has announced results for its Q3 and the nine months ended June 30, 2006. Key performance figures were Q3 sales of $109.6 million (up 22%). Nine month sales of $304.8 million (up 10%). Together these results contributed income of $12.9 million (+54%) and $35.9 million (+40%)both before and after the curve.

• Aixtron has been given a multiple purchase order for MOCVD reactors from Dalian Meiming Epitaxy Technology Co., Ltd. in Dalian, China. The reactors will be used for high volume production of III-V based LED and laser diode optoelectronic epitaxial wafers. They will be installed in Dalian's manufacturing facilities in China and California, US. The order follows the purchase of two earlier Aixtron systems, a 24x2 inch wafer capacity AIX 2400G3 HT and a 24x2 inch wafer capacity AIX 2600G3 HT which will be installed shortly.

• Medical laser system developer Trimedyne, Lake Forest, CA, US, has reported a 5% increase in revenues for the latest quarter to $1.6 million and a 4% increase in revenues for the nine month period, both of which ended June 30, to $5.0 million, on prior year revenues. The company's net profit was $70,000 for the nine month period, compared to a loss of $4,000 in 2005. During this period, other income, primarily royalties, increased by 268% to $336,000, compared to the prior year period.