OneChip Photonics Inc. has named Dan Meerovich its vice president of global manufacturing operations. The company also announced that it has reached an agreement with Fabrinet (NASDAQ: FBNT) to manufacture OneChip's photonic integrated circuit (PIC)-based passive optical network (PON) transceivers.
The announcements, of course, herald the start of production of OneChip’s devices, a fact which OneChip representatives on the show floor of OFC/NFOEC in Los Angeles were happy to confirm. Most of the initial customers are Chinese, they said. The initial products, engineering samples of which have already begun deliveries, will focus on EPON applications, with a target of late second quarter/early third quarter of this for the start of production of qualified products. Qualified GPON transceivers should begin rolling off the line about a quarter later, the company sources estimated.
Within this context, Meerovich is responsible for building OneChip's volume manufacturing capabilities and ensuring cost-effective and efficient operations across its supply chain, the company says.
"Dan has a wealth of optical communications industry experience and a successful track record of growing and streamlining operations, while exceeding sales and profit targets," said Jim Hjartarson, CEO of OneChip Photonics. "He will play a key role in the introduction and volume manufacture of our unique optical transceiver product line."
Before joining OneChip, Meerovich served as vice president of operations at Xtellus, which was acquired by Oclaro Inc. in 2009. One year after the acquisition, he was instrumental in increasing revenue by 50 percent, while increasing labor efficiency by 70 percent. He also expanded the company's R&D and manufacturing capabilities in Korea and Thailand.
Previously, Meerovich was vice president of manufacturing operations at Multiplex Inc., where he established and managed a wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary in China. He also held senior-level operations positions at Asip Inc./Apogee Photonics Inc., JDS Uniphase, and Tyco/Laser Diode Inc.
According to Meerovich, OneChip selected Fabrinet as its contract manufacturer "because of Fabrinet's strong global footprint and its ability to get our manufacturing line up and running quickly."
"Fabrinet has extensive experience manufacturing optical components and systems and will help OneChip meet the high demand for our integrated optical transceivers," Meerovich said.
Fabrinet will provide a range of manufacturing services via its Pinehurst facility in Thailand for OneChip, including optical component attachment for OneChip's bi-directional optical sub assemblies (BOSAs) and final integration and testing of its fully packaged optical transceivers.
For more information on optical transceivers and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyers Guide.