Laser innovator takes majority share in MicroLas

17 Jun 2002

Lambda Physik buys out Jenoptik in a Euro 27.3 million deal.

Lambda Physik has clinched a Euro 27.3 million deal to buy out its partner, German photonics innovator Jenoptik, in the joint venture MicroLas Lasersystem.

Now owning 90% of the optical-component manufacturer, Lambda Physik hopes to capitalize on MicroLas's expertise. The remaining 10% is owned by the director of MicroLas, Hans-Jürgen Kahlert.

"Industrial applications is the most profitable area of our operation at present, and this is due in no small part to the special optics produced by MicroLas," said Lambda Physik's president and chief executive Dirk Basting. "By combining optics from MicroLas, the technology of our high-performance excimer laser represents a barrier to entry by competitors in these markets." Basting also says that Lambda Physik intends to increase investment in MicroLas.

MicroLas is predicted to raise Euro 10 million in 2001, but, according to Lambda Physik's chief financial officer Christoph Syring, this won't impact on its sales figures, "95% of the sales of MicroLas products have been transacted via Lambda Physik anyway," he explained.