Sensors Unlimited goes back to its roots
According to Greg Olsen, president of Sensors Unlimited, returning to an employee-owned, privately held entity will allow the company to focus on core markets such as military, industrial spectroscopy and telecommunications, which provided the foundation for its achievements up until now. Finisar, a supplier of optical subsystem components and test systems based in Sunnyvale, CA, will retain high-speed avalanche and pin photodetector product lines and technology. Sensors Unlimited gains a royalty free license to use this technology in areas such as military and free-space communications.
Sensors Unlimited was originally acquired by Finisar for $700 million in October 2000 on the strength of its linear photodiode arrays used in monitoring DWDM performance, and joined Finisar laser subsidiary Demeter Technologies to become part of Sensors-Demeter Component Group in April of 2002.
“We’re going back to our small business roots,” said Olsen. “Sensors Unlimited built its business on InGaAs photodiode arrays and cameras, primarily for the industrial spectroscopy and military markets. Our focus shifted when telecommunications companies discovered that our photodiode arrays could be used to monitor optical networks. However, in the current economic conditions, we must diversify our market focus to achieve profitability and long-term revenue growth. We have enjoyed working with the folks at Finisar and will continue to support Finisar’s technology leadership initiatives.”
“This agreement strengthens Finisar’s financial position, helps us reach our goal of profitability, and enables Sensors to pursue markets outside of Finisar’s area of interest,” commented Finisar’s CEO, Jerry Rawls. “At the same time, Sensors Unlimited will help Finisar sustain our market and product leadership position.”
Sensors Unlimited says formal technical and administrative agreements will keep the companies closely allied for at least the next six months, with close cooperation between the companies expected to continue in future.
