Ushio Inc of Tokyo, Japan (which manufactures light sources including lamps, lasers and LEDs) says that its subsidiary Ushio Opto Semiconductors Inc (established in July) has agreed to acquire the LED, red, violet and part of the infrared laser diode business of Oclaro Japan Inc (a subsidiary of optical component, module and subsystem maker Oclaro Inc of San Jose, CA, USA). The acquired activity is located primarily in Komoro, Japan and includes about 80 staff.
Since being founded in 1964, Ushio has manufactured lamps and solid-state light sources, becoming a leading manufacturer of industrial light sources. Aiming to further expand its solid-state light sources business, Ushio will take over the business related to the development and manufacturing of semiconductor lasers and LEDs (other than Oclaro Japan's optical communication business).
"Today, optical processes and applications have become more and more diversified and important in the industry," comments Ushio's president & CEO Shiro Sugata. "We at Ushio will provide a variety of light sources, including high-brightness and high-quality LEDs and LDs, as well as our existing lamp products to meet the diversified needs of our customers," he adds.
"It was critical for Oclaro Japan to find a respected partner that would provide new opportunities to our Komoro employees and continued support and innovation to our customers," says Oclaro Japan's president Tadayuki Kanno.
The transaction is expected to close in fourth-quarter 2014.