As part of a general restructuring, Leister AG has converted its Microsystems Div. Axetris into an independent company, Axetris AG. Thomas Hessler, general manager of Axetris, said the company plans to intensify its focus on core competencies in microtechnology, sensing and optics to provide innovative subsystems and components that increase performance, reliability and cost-effectiveness. Axetris serves OEM customers with microtechnology-based infrared light sources for gas sensing, mass-flow meter and controller modules, laser gas detector modules based on tunable diode laser spectrometry, and refractive and diffractive micro-optical components. Its products are used in industrial, telecommunication, environmental, medical and automotive applications. The company operates its own 6- to 8-in.-wafer microelectromechanical systems foundry for its own products and external customers. In the reorganization, the former Leister Process Technologies, which was founded in 1949, will be transformed into a holding structure with independent limited companies. All group companies are in possession and under the direction of Christiane Leister, owner and CEO of the Leister group. Leister AG is the holding company of the Leister group. Leister Technologies AG specializes in plastic welding with hot air-, wedge- and diode laser-based equipment as well as in process heat used in industrial applications. For more information, visit: www.axetris.com or www.leister.com