Newport Corp. Acquires Design Technology Corp. to Enhance Fiber Optics Automation, Robotics and Testing Capabilities

Irvine, Calif. -- Newport Corp. announced that it has acquired Design Technology Corp., a privately held systems integrator specializing in the use of robotics and flexible automation solutions for manufacturing processes, including those required in the assembly and testing of fiber optic components.

The transaction will be accounted for as a stock purchase, and terms were not disclosed. Design Technology is expected to add $5 to $10 million to Newport's 2001 sales and to be mildly accretive to earnings per share.
Design Technology, based in Billerica, Mass., brings three decades of experience in the development of specialized machinery and automation systems for high-volume production applications in a wide variety of industries. The firm's expertise includes process development, handling solutions for difficult materials and high-volume precision robotic assembly systems.

"Design Technology provides unique, proprietary solutions to its customers' toughest process automation and production problems," said Robert G. Deuster, Newport's chairman and CEO. "Design Technology's success stories range from high-volume environmental testing of electronic components to process manufacturing equipment involving the handling of fiber and delicate, flexible materials. These capabilities perfectly complement Newport's core photonics packaging, inspection and test equipment strengthen and enhance our capacity and capability to provide more integrated high throughput solutions to our customers."