Business briefs
17 Jun 2002
Including news from Nortel Networks, Infineon Technologies, DuPont Photomasks and more.
Nortel Networks has announced plans to streamline its optical long-haul business including the potential sale or resizing of the optical components division. The move will impact some 3 500 positions and is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2002.
DuPont Photomasks has signed a 10-year supply agreement with
Infineon Technologies. Infineon plans to halt internal production of photomasks and use DuPont as its commercial supplier. DuPont expects the agreement will boost revenues by USD 14 million in fiscal 2003 and USD 42 million in fiscal 2004.
DuPont also plans to build a new photomask production facility in Dresden, Germany. The factory will employ nearly 200 people and start operations in late 2003.
Optiva and Sony Magnetic Products, both of the US, have joined forces to produce optical film products based on Optiva's thin crystal film (TCF) technology. The first product to come out of this collaboration will be a TCF plastic sheet polarizer for use in passive liquid-crystal displays.
Germany-based
Heraeus Noblelight has officially opened its new subsidiary in Shenyang, China. With an initial workforce of 22 people, Heraeus will use the office to gain prominence in China's speciality light source market. The first offerings are UV emitters for wafer disinfection and deuterium lamps for analytical measurement technology.
Redfern Photonics is to sponsor the establishment of a USD 100 million information and communications technology center in Australia. As part of a consortium of government, academic, industrial and venture capitalist organizations backing the center, Redfern will also support incubation, seed and early stage development as well as patent creation activities.
Universal Laser Systems, US, a producer of computer-controlled laser engraving and cutting systems, has opened a subsidiary in Vienna, Austria. This expansion will provide support for customers in Europe and the Middle East. Gerardo Igler has been appointed as managing director of the facility.
