The newly launched business already has 300 engineers and scientists dedicated to optical technology and the ability to rapidly re-deploy an additional 1,000 Marconi personnel to optical component manufacturing as the business scales. Through a major investment program, it plans to establish a new 200,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility by mid-2002 to reinforce its existing facilities.
The business’ product portfolio includes wide tuning range and high power tunable lasers; Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) based 10Gbps and 40Gbps modulators; and Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFA). The new business will also introduce the Terabit Engine(TM), a breakthrough in optical components offering highly integrated optical functionality on a single chip.
Through activities at its Caswell laboratories, Marconi has an impressive background in photonic research and development, said John S. Lively, Director, Optical Components for RHK, Inc. The achievements so far should position Marconi Optical Components to compete very well at the high end of the optical components performance curve. Marconi should also benefit from its decades of experience in manufacturing electronic components, something few other new entrants to the optical components industry have.
Our business combines the pace and energy of a start-up with the credibility and R&D leadership of an established player, said Dr. David Parker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marconi Optical Components. By exploiting our leading-edge technology and capability portfolio, we can offer differentiated and competitive products and solutions to meet our customers’ needs worldwide. We will immediately establish a profile as a merchant supplier targeting a substantial increase in sales to third party manufacturers. Additionally our products will continue to enhance the position of Marconi Optical Networks, a key customer for our new business.
