News in brief: Gemfire, Avanex and AOI
Gemfire acquires Livingston, Scotland, facility Fiber-optic component manufacturer Avanex has signed a deal in which it plans to sell its Livingston, Scotland, facility to photonics company Gemfire.
The Livingston plant, which specializes in silica planar lightwave circuit (PLC) units, was formerly part of the Alcatel Optronics business. Prior to that, it was known as Kymata.
Gemfire says that the passive PLC products from the Livingston operation will complement its own polymer PLC dynamic waveguide products. Gemfire says it is the first company to qualify polymer optical components to stringent Telcordia standards.
The companies said the transaction is expected to close this quarter and is subject to customary closing conditions. As part of the agreement, Gemfire will acquire all outstanding capital stock of the UK subsidiary of Avanex, and Avanex will acquire a minority equity interest in GC Holdings, parent company of Gemfire
Walter Alessandrini, Avanex s chairman and CEO, explained that Avanex had made a strategic decision to focus on other core technologies and spin out the PLC unit. "Our decision regarding the Livingston facility was made in the context of focusing our resources in optical subsystems.”
Richard Tompane, president and CEO of Gemfire, said: "The opportunity to provide higher levels of integration and cost efficiencies has never been greater. By combining these proven Telcordia-qualified building blocks, Gemfire will be able to offer its customers a broader range of WDM solutions."
Applied Optoelectronics raises $12 million
Texas-based photonics device maker Applied Optoelectronic, Inc (AOI), has raised $12 million in series C funding, bringing its total capital raised since 1997 to $29.2 million.
New investors in the recent round included Sycamore Ventures, Harbinger Venturess and the Chiao-Tung Bank of Taiwan.
AOI has around 70 employees and plans to use the new funds to expand capacity, with additional equipment and manpower on the shopping list. The company makes laser diodes, photodetectors and optical modules for fiber-optic communications.
