TRUMPF Announce an Intent to Purchase the Entire Share Capital of SPI LASERS
9th September 2008, Ditzingen Germany and Southampton UK, TRUMPF and SPI LASERS are pleased to announce that TRUMPF intends to make an offer to buy the entire share capital of SPI LASERS. The combination of SPI LASERS' products, world-class fibre laser technology, engineering and manufacturing along with TRUMPF's complementary technology, operational excellence and resources will enable TRUMPF to quickly establish a leading position in the rapidly growing fibre laser sector. And with the addition of a strong fibre laser product line, TRUMPF will offer a full range of Laser solutions for customer needs.
TRUMPF expects that SPI LASERS will be a centre of fibre laser excellence within the TRUMPF group. SPI LASERS will operate as a merchant laser business unit within the division Laser Technology and Electronics Division of TRUMPF and will continue to produce its growing portfolio of OEM and stand alone fibre laser solutions. The business will operate from the existing facilities in Southampton UK.
Commenting on today's announcement, Peter Leibinger, Vice-Chairman of the Managing Board and Head of the Laser Technology and Electronics Division, said: "I firmly believe that both SPI LASERS and TRUMPF will benefit from this proposed transaction. While the overall market for industrial lasers is expected to grow further in the future, particular growth is expected in the lower power range, an area in which SPI LASERS' products have already established a strong market presence. A broad product portfolio of SPI LASERS in the fibre laser segment would complement TRUMPF's existing product and technology platforms and create a stronger combined industrial laser offering".
Dr David Parker, Chief Executive Officer of SPI LASERS added "We are delighted by this announcement. Whilst we are proud of our achievements to date there is no doubt that with the support of the TRUMPF organisation we can take the business to a higher level and be a major player in this exciting sector. We see many opportunities to leverage our world class technology position into new products and markets and look forward to working within the TRUMPF group to achieve this".
SPI Lasers is a leading designer and manufacturer of optical fiber-based lasers that
are currently used in a wide range of industries. The current product family is used
to mark, weld, and cut materials used in the manufacture of a range of products.
The platform technology being developed to raise laser power levels for use in the
macro manufacturing sectors is expected further to widen the markets served by SPI
Lasers to include aerospace, automotive and white goods manufacture.
Among new markets in prospect, as higher-power lasers are deployed, is defence,
and SPI Lasers is currently involved in this sector through contracted development
work with a number of companies and government agencies.
SPI Lasers has a strong network of international distributors. In Europe the
international distributor is BFI Optilas, one of the region's largest distributors of
specialist products in the electronics and photonics markets. Outside Europe, SPI
Lasers' products are distributed on an exclusive basis in China, India, Japan, Korea,
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.
Founded in 2000 on technology developed by the University of Southampton's
Optoelectronics Research Centre, the business is headquartered in Southampton,
United Kingdom.
www.spilasers.com www.spilasers.de www.spilasers-china.cn
For further information:
SPI Lasers plc
David Parker,
President and Chief Executive
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 779 689
david.parker@spilasers.com
www.spilasers.com
David Holloway,
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 779 689
david.holloway@spilasers.com
www.spilasers.com
