It's the height of summer, and the heat is rolling in. As hot as the weather, there is also a merger and acquisition boom among overseas laser and optoelectronic manufacturers.
In July, three acquisitions took place in the global laser and optoelectronics field, namely: France's ultra-fast laser giant Amplitude acquired Fastlite, a manufacturer of ultra-fast pulse shaping, characterization and optical parametric amplifiers; G&H, a developer of precision optics and photonics solutions, announced the acquisition of advanced thin film coatings maker Artemis Optical; and Japan's Hamamatsu Photonics restarted its acquisition of Danish fiber laser giant NKT Photonics plans.
In response to the acquisitions, all of the aforementioned acquirers said that strategic acquisitions that expand their own technological capabilities and enhance their product portfolios are conducive to driving greater innovation progress within their organizations, and will further solidify leading industry positions. The acquisition will also provide access to a wide range of resources and global reach to support its broader strategy for future manufacturing expansion.
French ultrafast laser giant Amplitude acquires Fastlite, maker of ultrafast pulse shaping, characterization and optical parametric amplifiers
On July 13th, Amplitude, a leading French manufacturer of ultrafast lasers, announced the successful acquisition of Fastlite, a French high-tech company specializing in ultrafast pulse shaping, characterization and optical parametric amplifiers, which will further strengthen Amplitude's position as a leading provider of integrated advanced laser solutions.
Amplitude and Fastlite have a long-standing relationship and will work together to bring advanced ultrafast laser technologies to market. The merger will further strengthen Amplitude's position as a leading provider of comprehensive, advanced laser solutions.
Amplitude said Fastlite's expertise in femtosecond pulse shaping and characterization provides cutting-edge solutions for ultrafast laser applications. Its optical parametric amplifiers further complement the company's existing offerings, providing a more comprehensive solution for customers in industries such as scientific laboratories. At the same time, Fastlite's complete and simplified solution extends the company's technical capabilities and enhances its product portfolio.
Pierre-Mary PAUL, Director of Large Scale Programs and Vice President of Amplitude, expressed his satisfaction: "Their complementary expertise will strengthen our ability to design and manufacture a new generation of femtosecond lasers that will provide our customers with superior performance and reliability."
Pascal TOURNOIS, current Managing Director of Fastlite, added: "This decision is an important milestone in the company's journey, and the company's existing customers will continue to receive the excellent service and support they have come to expect, as well as access to Amplitude's extensive resources and global reach. "
Precision Optics and Photonics Solutions Developer G&H Acquires Advanced Thin Film Coating Manufacturer Artemis Optical
On July 19, local time, precision optics and photonics solutions developer G&H announced the acquisition of advanced thin film coating manufacturer Artemis Optical.
The deal is worth £8.9 million ($11.5 million) and the new company will be called G&H | Artemis, G&H revealed. The acquisition, which is due to be completed in late July 2023, strengthens its product portfolio and creates new opportunities for vertical integration and cross-selling with enhanced integrated capabilities.G&H plans to establish the newly acquired facility as the group's center of excellence for coatings.
The terms of the acquisition, published on the London Stock Exchange's website, show that the total consideration for the transaction amounts to £8.9 million: including an initial cash consideration of £4.5 million, to be funded from existing resources, and £2.4 million in new G&H ordinary shares, to be satisfied by the issue of 412,088 new G&H ordinary shares.
G&H was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Somerset, Ilminster, UK, initially focusing on the production of optical crystal devices and has been persistently engaged in the research and manufacture of optical devices, which has gradually evolved into today's set of optical devices, subsystems design, optical test equipment, a comprehensive optical science and technology company, whose products are widely used in the fields of national defense, life sciences, industry and scientific research for a number of reasons. As a professional manufacturer of optical device design and manufacturing, G&H can provide from acousto-optic modulators, RF drivers, optoelectronic devices to fiber optic devices, crystal growth, optical polishing coating, spectroradiometer manufacturing, integrating sphere correction, NIST standard testing, spectral imaging solutions.
And Artemis Optical, a thin-film coating company based in Plymouth, England, is known for its expertise in a variety of cutting-edge applications. While they are recognized as a global leader in the design of custom electro-optical and laser-protected optical filters, as well as custom flat panel display combiners, their true expertise lies in the development of customized systems to support optical filters, mirrors, and window replacements. From 400nm to the longwave infrared range, Artemis Optical's products cater to the diverse needs and applications of industries such as defense, aerospace, industrial and life sciences.
For its part, G&H said it chose Artemis based on the latter's "state-of-the-art facilities and highly skilled team". The investment is also G&H's second acquisition in a month, following the company's purchase of polymer optics design, manufacturing and coating manufacturer GS Optics in June 2023, further developing the group's position in the aerospace, defense and life sciences sectors, while facilitating the drive for greater innovation within the organization.
Japan's Hamamatsu Photonics revives plans to acquire Danish fiber laser giant NKT Photonics
Recently, Japan's Hamamatsu Photonics (Hamamatsu Photonics) issued an updated official statement, making it clear that it will restart its plan to acquire Danish fiber laser manufacturer NKT Photonics.
Prior to this, on May 2 of this year, Hamamatsu Photonics 205 million euros strategic acquisition of NKT Photonics deal was rejected by the Danish authorities, the acquisition was once on hold.
Hamamatsu has reportedly resubmitted its acquisition plan. If the resubmitted deal is now approved in Denmark, NKT Photonics will become a dedicated fiber optic and laser division of Hamamatsu. Akira Hiruma, chief executive of Japan's Hamamatsu Photonics, said the sector had "tremendous growth potential".
Under the terms of the initial agreement, NKT Photonics will be responsible for the development and manufacture of optical fibers and lasers, with no change to its product portfolio, and its company name and branding will be retained. The companies also initially said there were no plans to make any changes to NKT Photonics' global facilities and that all of NKT Photonics' 400-plus employees would be transferred to Hamamatsu.
Under the initial agreement, the acquisition will make NKT Photonics, which focuses on high-stability fiber lasers and supercontinuum light sources, part of a larger Japanese Hamamatsu-owned business, supporting Hamamatsu's expansion of its laser applications business. And while NKT Photonics will be able to fully focus on its core business of cables after divesting this part of its assets, the proceeds from the sale will be beneficial in supporting its broader strategy for future manufacturing expansion.
A new "giant" for the industry
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and restructuring, as a barometer of the industry's development, is not only a new engine for companies to promote business innovation and strategic upgrading, but also a wind vane to lead the industry's development. Mergers and acquisitions are not only expected to enhance the operational efficiency and competitiveness of enterprises, but also provide them with new opportunities to enter new markets, enrich their product lines and enhance their technological capabilities. The advantages of both sides can complement each other, which is beneficial to overcome the R & D technology barriers, forming a ″powerful combination, the strongest is always strong″ situation.
The occurrence of the above industry mergers and acquisitions, or will have a significant impact on the global laser, optoelectronic industry pattern. Some industry insiders say, once the merger and acquisition is completed, means that the industry will give birth to a new "giant". The new "Big Mac" in the industry or will set off waves, but also the industry mergers and acquisitions boom again to a new high tide.
In addition, compared with the M&A itself, mergers and acquisitions, once the implementation of the two sides of the future how to further integration is also the focus of the market more concerned about the topic.
