Moves & Expansions

Southern Photonics of Auckland, New Zealand, has partnered with I-Wave Corp. of Tokyo to provide sales and support to customers in Japan. I-Wave is an importer and exporter of ultrahigh-speed optical transmission and access products. Southern Photonics specializes in R&D equipment for coherent modulation communication technologies and short-laser-pulse characterization. Among its products is the IQScope, an equivalent-time based optical modulation analyzer.

To strengthen its presence in Canada, WITec GmbH of Ulm, Germany, has named Spectra Research Corp. (SRC) of Mississauga, Ontario, as its new sales representative. SRC will distribute WITec’s Raman and scanning probe microscopy products to the Canadian market, including companies specializing in nanotechnology, surface science and materials characterization. SRC is a subsidiary of Allan Crawford Associates, a distributor of electronic components and test devices.

To leverage recent acquisitions and manufacturing improvements, Materion Corp. plans to close its optical coatings facility in Buellton, Calif., and to consolidate production with operations in Westford, Mass., and Shanghai. It also will consolidate its Advanced Materials business in Albuquerque, N.M., from four facilities to two, and close its facility in the Czech Republic. Business from the Czech Republic will be moved into an existing related facility in Ireland.

Shasta Crystals will now occupy a 4000-sq-ft laboratory and office facility in San Francisco. Previously located in Anderson, Calif., the company makes advanced materials for laser systems for a variety of markets. “Having a Bay Area location gives us much better access to our customers and engineering talent, which is critical to take our company to its next stage of development,” said Shasta CEO Gisele Maxwell.