TPT May 2008

I ndustry N ews

Rofin-Sinar acquires fibre laser technology expert Nufern

Zwahlen & Mayr under new management

Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc, Germany, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Nufern as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Rofin-Sinar is one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers of high- performance laser beam sources and laser- based solutions. Founded in 2000, Nufern is the world’s largest independent manufacturer of speciality fibres and fibre laser modules serving a wide range of industries. The company’s product lines comprise standard fibres and custom fibre solutions, including amplifiers, fibre laser modules for use in material processing and in the telecommunications, military and defense industries. In June 2007, Nufern launched its first industrial CW fibre laser with an output power of 200 Watts. Based in East Granby, Connecticut, Nufern has approximately 70 employees and markets its products globally to a large OEM-customer base through its own sales network, distributors and the internet.

Nufern will continue to operate as a stand- alone company and will provide its products to its existing customers including other laser manufacturers. “This is a very important acquisition for Rofin-Sinar because we are further strengthening our technology base and enhancing the vertical integration needed to economically manufacture fibre lasers,” said Mr Günther Braun, CEO and president of RSTI. “This transaction facilitates the maturing of our technologies and will propel and support Nufern in becoming a significant leader in the global fibre laser market,” commented Mr Martin Seifert, president of Nufern. Rofin-Sinar Laser GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 40 733 63160

Zwahlen & Mayr, Switzerland, has come under new management in order to relieve the board’s executive committee from its operational responsibility. Part of the Sitindustrie Group, the company’s two production units – steel construction and stainless steel tubes – will now be managed by newly appointed CEO Mr Eric Aigroz. Mr Aigroz was the production manager for Zwahlen & Mayr’s wholly owned subsidiary Efimex SAbefore managing the production of welded tubes (stainless steel tube division) in 1994. In 2000, he became managing director of the stainless steel tubes division. Later this year, the Board also intend to give Mr Aigroz the responsibility of managing the steel construction division. Mr Aigroz will define a new organisational structure for the two production units and make his

Email : info@rofin-ham.de Website : www.rofin.com Nufern – USA Fax : +1 860 844 0210 Email : info@nufern.com Website : www.nufern.com

recommendations to the Board. Zwahlen & Mayr – Switzerland Fax : +41 24 468 4600 Email : info@zwahlen.ch Website : www.zwahlen.ch

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M ay 2008

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