AudioDev enters into cooperation to develop optical unit
AudioDev enters into cooperation to develop optical unit AudioDev has signed an agreement with TuiOptics GmbH, Germany, and enters into a cooperation to develop an optical unit for the company's high-end test equipment for DVD. "We enter into this cooperation to be ahead when new optical media are being developed", says Jan Barchan, president and CEO of AudioDev. This is an area where we want to achieve deeper knowledge. We want to be independent from the limited number of suppliers of player units for optical media. An optical unit of our own gives us a unique competitive advantage and at the same time it gives us control over cost and margins of future products". AudioDev has for some time been looking for a solution to develop an optical unit and a cooperation seems like the most efficient solution. The optical unit will be developed and manufactured by TuiOptics, and the product will be sold exclusively to AudioDev AB. AudioDev in brief AudioDev is a world leading manufacturer of test-equipment for optical media such as CD and DVD. AudioDev is the manufacturer of test equipment for optical media with the broadest market coverage with strong presence in Europe, the USA and Asia. Among the customers are EMI, Warner, Sonopress, Pioneer and Ritek. Since 1995, AudioDev has attained average net revenue growth of approximately 35 percent annually. In 1999, AudioDev reported net revenue of approximately SEK 166 million and an operating profit of some SEK 40 million. Since September 21, 2000, AudioDev is listed on the OM Stockholmsbörsen. TuiOptics in brief TuiOptics is specialized in high sophisticated equipment (lasers and storage media testers), that are used by customers having ultimate technical requirements in their applications. The lasers are well respected in the scientific community and are about to enter into industrial applications like printing, process analysis and medicine. Since its spin off as subsidiary of TuiLaser in 1998, TuiOptics has grown at an average rate of 80% reaching net revenue of over 10 million DM in 2000, achieved with 30 employees. For questions regarding this press release, please contact: Annika Svensson, Communication and Investor Relations tel +46 40 690 49 05 mobile: +46 708 26 38 64 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/02/20/20010220BIT00430/bit0002.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/02/20/20010220BIT00430/bit0002.pdf