5 February 2004 Burlington, MA -- EM4 Inc., provider of contract design and manufacturing services for photonics and integrated optics, has announced what it claims is a breakthrough manufacturing process. EM4 has developed a single step, high precision, sub-micron process for producing active optoelectronic components, resulting in increased yields, reduced cycle times, and lower costs. The company has turned early interest in the approach into positive results, adding customers, partners, and an $8-million Series B round of funding. EM4 is now undertaking a move into substantially larger facilities in Bedford, MA.
According to company representatives, EM4 has developed proprietary next-generation assembly tools that provide faster, more accurate, and more reproducible fiber alignment at critical manufacturing stages. The process utilizes partial automation and provides a two-fold increase in capacity and throughput, while also improving yield. These enhancements translate directly to lower costs and higher performance for EM4 customers.
"EM4 is finally making it affordable for companies to outsource their optoelectronic and photonic component manufacturing," contends Basil Garabet, CEO of EM4. "Our unique manufacturing process improves yields and lowers costs of component production. Our recent Series B round, our upcoming move, and our overall expansion are testimony to the success of our business model."
EM4's new facility greatly enlarges the company's manufacturing and office space. The new 30,000-square-foot building significantly increases EM4's production capacity, thereby enhancing the company's manufacturing partnership with key customers. The facility includes a manufacturing cleanroom that is more than triple the size of EM4's former site, enabling EM4 to increase its optoelectronic and photonic component design and manufacturing abilities accordingly. EM4 plans to move into the site in this month.