Consolidation in the optical components space continues with the acquisition of Manlight SAS by 3S Photonics Group for an undisclosed sum.
3S Photonics is the former Alcatel Optronics, which was sold to Avanex in 2003 (see “Alcatel sells Optronics division to Avanex in USD63.5 million deal“) and then bought out by CEO Alexandre Krivine in 2007. The current 3S Photonics Group was created in February 2010 after the acquisition by 3S Photonics of US telecoms components company Avensys Corp.
3S Photonics Group recently received a €37 million funding boost from investment firm Eurazeo, which now owns 83% of the company. Under the new ownership, 3S Photonics plans to pursue complementary acquisitions to enhance its technology and open up new markets – and Manlight is the first of these.
Today 3S Photonics manufactures high-power lasers for telecoms, industrial, and sensor applications across two production sites – laser chips are made in Nozay, France, and specialty fiber is produced in Montreal, Canada. The undersea telecoms market was one of the core strengths of the historical business, notably high-power pump lasers for undersea optical amplifiers.
Manlight brings expertise in high-power fiber-optic laser and amplification technologies. Based in Lannion France, Manlight was founded in 2006 through the acquisition of the assets of EDFA manufacturer Highwave Optical Technologies.
Manlight and its 30 employees will become a subsidiary of 3S Photonics Group. Eric Delevaque, founder and former Highwave Optical Technologies CEO, has been named as Manlight’s general manager.
“We are very pleased to have completed the Manlight acquisition with the help of Eurazeo as this deal fits perfectly into the development strategy we have established for 3S Photonics,” said Krivine. “The Manlight product range allows us to expand our offer for our historical telecom customers, and to continue the diversification of our activities by promoting Group components linked to the LIDAR and industrial fiber laser markets.”
In November, 3S Photonics Group reported a consolidated IFRS turnover of up to €51 million ($68 million) for the fiscal year 2011, which ended in June 2011, representing a year-on-year growth of 64% (or 44% within the same business scope).
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