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3S Photonics Buys Fiber Units

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MONTREAL, Dec. 17, 2009 -- Debt-laden holding company Avensys Corp. announced today it is selling its sole operating business, a fiber optic components maker and instrumentation integrator, to 3S Photonics, a manufacturer of optical and optoelectronic components for telecommunications networks, for €6.5 million (about $9.3 million).

3S Photonics said acquiring Avensys Inc. will give it a significantly greater ability to expand product lines and services, as well as its research and development efforts, beyond its current capabilities, and will allow it to respond more effectively to the needs of its large industrial customers. It also gives the European company a North American presence.

"Given Avensys' continuing default under its financing agreements, Avensys' board of directors concluded that the transaction was the best possible solution for the business," said John Fraser, CEO of Avensys Corp. "Furthermore, combining the operations of two businesses with leading-edge and complementary technologies maximizes technological synergies, operational consolidation and opens up bigger market prospects for Avensys Inc. and 3S Photonics."

In connection with the transaction, Avensys Corp. will issue 105 million shares to Imperium Master Fund Ltd. in consideration for its forbearing from exercising its rights, arising from Avensys' continuing defaults under its debt agreements, until completion and agreeing to vote in favor of the transaction at the shareholders meeting. The cash consideration for the shares will be used to repay about $7.3 million owed to Imperium Master Fund Ltd. and to provide for other liabilities.

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When the deal closes, Avensys Inc.'s two divisions, Avensys Tech and Avensys Solutions, as well as the assets of its research and development arm, ITF Laboratories Inc., will merge with 3S Photonics, which is based in Nozay, France, near Paris. ITF Laboratories develops integrated photonics solutions as well as high-reliability components and fiber-based systems for fiber lasers and optical sensing applications.

Avensys Tech makes optical components and modules and fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) for the telecom market, high power devices and subassemblies for the industrial market, and packaged fiber-based sensors. Avensys Solutions provides instrumentation and integrated products for monitoring industrial processes and environmental surveillance applications for air, water and soil in the Canadian marketplace. Together the businesses employ 200 people.

3S Photonics – formerly Alcatel Optronics – supplies laser chips, discrete modules and optical components for undersea telecommunication networks. It also develops active components powered by in-house III-V optoelectronic chips based on both gallium arsenide (GaAs) and indium phosphide (InP) technologies and passive components using FBG. The company employs more than 160.

"We are proud of this acquisition, which corresponds to the implementation of the external growth strategy that we planned last July, when we raised funds," said Alexandre Krivine, president and CEO of 3S Photonics.

The sale, which is subject to customary closing conditions and shareholder approval, is expected to be finalized in January 2010.

For more information, visit: www.3sphotonics.com




Published: December 2009
Glossary
component
1. A constituent part. It may consist of two or more parts cemented together, or with near and approximately matching surfaces. 2. The projection of a vector on a certain coordinate axis or along a particular direction. 3. In a lens system, one or more elements treated as a unit. 4. An optical element within a system.
fiber bragg grating
A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is a type of optical filter that is inscribed or "written" into the core of an optical fiber. It consists of a periodic modulation of the refractive index along the length of the fiber. This modulation forms a grating structure that reflects a specific wavelength of light while transmitting others. Key features of FBGs include: Periodic modulation: The refractive index of the optical fiber's core is periodically modulated, creating a series of alternating high...
optical
Pertaining to optics and the phenomena of light.
optoelectronic
Pertaining to a device that responds to optical power, emits or modifies optical radiation, or utilizes optical radiation for its internal operation. Any device that functions as an electrical-to-optical or optical-to-electrical transducer. Electro-optic often is used erroneously as a synonym.
photonics
The technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. The science includes light emission, transmission, deflection, amplification and detection by optical components and instruments, lasers and other light sources, fiber optics, electro-optical instrumentation, related hardware and electronics, and sophisticated systems. The range of applications of photonics extends from energy generation to detection to communications and...
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