Jenoptik AG and the Trumpf Group have entered into a cooperative relationship in the high-performance diode laser sector, aimed at development of high-performance diode laser technology

The technology group Jenoptik AG and the Trumpf Group have entered into a cooperative relationship in the high-performance diode laser sector, aimed at joint further development of high-performance diode laser technology for industrial applications. Retroactively as of January 1, 2001, Trumpf is acquiring a 25.1 percent share of Jenoptik Laserdiode GmbH, a company in the Jenoptik Photonics division. Until now, Jenoptik Laserdiode GmbH was 100-percent owned by Jenoptik, Laser, Optik, Systeme GmbH in Jena.

The remaining 74.9 percent remains with the laser and optic specialist from Jena, Germany.

Jenoptik Laserdiode GmbH (JOLD) develops, produces and distributes high-performance diode lasers.

These high-performance diode lasers are being utilized by Trumpf as pump sources in the solid-state lasers manufactured by its subsidiary Haas-Laser.

'Two companies, each market leaders in their respective fields, have joined forces here.

The interplay between diode manufacture and industrial application will quickly lead to innovative approaches and new spheres of application,' said Professor Dr.H.C.

Lothar Sp„th, chairman of the board, Jenoptik AG, at the joint press conference in Munich on Tuesday.

Sp„th added that for Jenoptik, this partnership was a logical extension of its strategy to work closely together with the technological and market leaders of different business sectors.

'After ASML in the high-performance optics sector and Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG in the digital camera sector, we have now gained a third powerful partner in Trumpf,' Sp„th said.

Powerful Growth in High-Performance Diode Lasers Lasers in industrial production are a key technology, the economic importance of which greatly exceeds its direct sales figures.

This growth sector is characterized by innovation and dynamics: 'This acquisition will enable Trumpf to cooperate in a technology that is important for Trumpf lasers.

Because of their compactness and high degree of efficiency, high-performance diode lasers have highly promising future prospects.

Diode laser technology has enormous growth potential - and as such is important for the continued development of Trumpf as world market leader for industrial lasers,' said Professor Berthold Leibinger, managing partner of the Trumpf Group.

Because of the strong market growth in the high-performance diode laser sector, Jenoptik is investing around 11 million euros in a new clean-room building at its Jena site, including production machinery for the mass production of high-performance diode lasers.

Production is due to begin as early as this year.

For fiscal year 2001 Jenoptik Laserdiode GmbH is planning to increase its sales by more than 50 percent on the previous year.