EATONTOWN, N.J., June 17 -- Opnext Inc., a maker of optical components, announced today it has acquired Pine Photonics Communications Inc., a transceiver maker based in Fremont, Calif. Opnext said this acquisition will allow it to immediately expand its portfolio of XAUI-based transponders and small-form-factor pluggable transceivers, including modules for SONET/SDH, Gigabit Ethernet and fiber channel applications. Opnext was formerly Hitachi's optoelectronics unit until it spun off in 2001 after receiving $320 million funding. "The merger of Opnext and Pine Photonics brings together the strengths of two significant industry players," said Harry Bosco, Opnext president and CEO. "Opnext is augmenting its proven track record in high-end optical components by leveraging Pine Photonics' expertise in low-cost design and manufacture. Most importantly, Pine Photonics shares our commitment to quality manufacturing processes that ensure reliable products. We are proud to offer our customers innovative optical-to-electrical solutions that will not only reduce costs but deliver efficiencies that help drive productivity gains." Pine Photonics offers module-level products for metro and regional network system providers such as transceivers, transponders and modulator bias controllers. For more information, visit: www.opnext.com