News Briefs (Feb. 1, 2006)

In response to what it says is rapid growth in the lighting market, the Melville, N.Y.-based North American Components business of Arrow Electronics Inc. announced yesterday the formation of a group solely dedicated to supporting manufacturers of products containing high-brightness LEDs. Industry veteran Robert Sagebiel has been named director of lighting to lead the new organization, which consists of regional lighting specialists, lighting applications engineers and inside sales representatives. Sagebiel joins Arrow from Chicago Miniature Lamp Inc., where he held positions in sales and marketing, and has more than 20 years of experience in the lighting industry. Arrow's new organization will provide LED products and applications support and services in designs ranging from transportation to general lighting. Arrow also will continue to expand its lighting product portfolio, and recently added surface-mount chip LED maker Harvatek International to its supplier listing. . . . Modulight Inc. of San Jose, Calif., a provider of semiconductor laser diodes for the industrial, communication, medical, space and defense industries, has received a $1.8 million contract from Tekes, the Technology Development Centre of Finland, for the development of high-power laser diode bars for solid-state pumping. The program will be delivered by the end of 2006. . . . Chemical light product manufacturer Omniglow Corp. announced that its existing shareholders have sold their interest in the company to a private equity group for an undisclosed sum. As a result, lightsticks for Omniglow's government and safety business will continue to be produced and distributed in West Springfield, Mass., and Aix en Provence, France, but under a new name, Cyalume Technologies Inc. (CTI). The consumer business continues to be operated by the same Omniglow staff and managing directors in West Springfield and Matamoros, Mexico. With the exception of four executive positions, CTI and Omniglow will maintain their existing work force of 200 in West Springfield and also its jobs in France and Mexico.