Rofin acquires FiLaser's assets including laser cutting technology
Plymouth, Michigan/Portland, Oregon - Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. (Rofin), a developer and manufacturer of laser sources and laser-based solutions, and FiLaser USA LLC (FiLaser), specialists in developing and designing singulation processes for brittle materials, have entered into an asset purchase agreement, under which Rofin will acquire the assets of FiLaser and subsidiaries.
Related: FiLaser licenses U of T burst-pulse laser machining patent to improve glass processing
The transaction contains all intellectual property including trademarks, know-how, patents, and patent applications of FiLaser. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in March 2014.
Patrick Newton, analyst from Stifel-Nicolaus, said via BlueMatrix: “We view Rofin-Sinar’s acquisition as bolstering the company’s position in strengthened glass/sapphire cutting, which we see as one of the most exciting growth opportunities for the laser industry (Rofin, Coherent, TRUMPF, IPG Photonics and others are all targeting this market) over the next several years.”
Günther Braun, president and CEO of Rofin, said: “We are proud that FiLaser selected Rofin to market this technology. With the signing of the asset purchase agreement, we are able to upgrade and complement our comprehensive ultra-short pulse laser offering with a specialized unique technology for the cutting of brittle materials, like glass and sapphire. The commercialization of this technology is an important step for the industry in improving the cutting performance of these materials and subsequently the wider use of laser technology. We look forward to further developing and applying this technology to a broader range of materials.”
“Rofin is an ideal technology commercialization vector, bringing scale, experience and integration prowess to bear on the problems of technology development and dissemination,” said Jeffrey Albelo, CEO and chairman of FiLaser. “We believe the nexus of FiLaser innovation and Rofin expertise in systems and lasers to be a winning combination. It enables optimal capture in the broadest market cross-section and greatly improves the adoption profile. We expect great things and we are excited to have our technology become a part of the Rofin technology portfolio.”
Rofin-Sinar Technologies focuses on developing key innovative technologies and advanced production methods for a wide variety of industrial applications based on a broad scope of technologies. The product portfolio ranges from single laser-beam sources to highly complex systems, covering all of the key laser technologies such as CO2 lasers, fiber lasers, solid-state lasers and diode lasers.
FiLaser has developed advanced laser process technology used for precision cutting and drilling of brittle materials including glass, sapphire, and semiconductor substrates. Its applications are found in the touch panel, LCD, cell phone display, LED, and semiconductor markets.