Technical Insight
OpNext closes $321 million investment (Fiber News)
OpNext closes $321 million investment OpNext Inc, a supplier of active fiber-optic components and modules based in Eatontown, New Jersey, has received an investment worth $321 million from Clarity Group, a Los Angeles-based investment firm, and Marubeni Group, a trading house based in Japan. OpNext was formed from Hitachi s Fiber Optic Components business unit (see Compound Semiconductor Sept/Oct 2000, p43). The company says it will use the capital to expand manufacturing capacity, establish a worldwide sales and marketing team, grow its R&D program and develop new products. OpNext manufactures a range of components, including 2.5 and 10 Gbit/s laser diode modules, transmitters and receivers, and is also collaborating with TRW s new telecommunication components company, Velocium, to develop 40 Gbit/s transceivers. "Hitachi s heritage as a leader in semiconductors, optical lasers and transceivers, combined with a proven history of reliability and customer satisfaction, provides a tremendous base upon which OpNext will build its components and modules business," said OpNext chairman Masaaki Hayashi.
