Merger of Heidelberg Instruments and Multiphoton Optics strengthens German competitiveness
Multiphoton Optics GmbH has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberg Instruments Mikrotechnik GmbH. The pooling of development capabilities and technologies for producing microstructures further underscores the global importance of research, development and production of direct-writing laser systems "Made in Germany". The merger also extends the company's market position in the micro-optics sector.
Following the successful conclusion of M&A negotiations, the employees of Multiphoton Optics (MPO) are now part of the Heidelberg Instruments family, one of the international market leaders in laser lithography.
"MPO is a pioneer of two-photon lithography and has developed a high-performance exposure system for 3D printing down to the sub-micrometer range. With this, MPO closes a gap between conventional laser lithography - the basis of our strong core business - and the nanostructuring technology (t-SPL) we added to the Heidelberg Instruments Nano division three years ago. Together with MPO, we will further expand our position in the field of micro-optics and structured surfaces", says Konrad Roessler, CEO Heidelberg Instruments.
At present, MPO specializes in the production of free-form 3D surfaces and 3D structures of any design, with a particular focus on micro-optics. In research and development, the current focus is mainly on manufacturing processes using two-photon polymerization (TPP) and on application-specific software and hardware modules.
While Heidelberg Instruments has high expectations for the further development of 3D lithography systems at the MPO site in Würzburg, Multiphoton Optics will gain access to the sales potential, sales structures, production capacities and worldwide service network of the new parent company.
"Heidelberg Instruments is the perfect partner for us, as the merger will benefit customers, employees and the technology itself. Their global network increases our visibility and enables us to develop new systems based on two-photon polymerization as well as support more and more customers in implementing their applications and ideas", says Dr. Benedikt Stender, who will be the CEO of Multiphoton Optics.
Dr. Boris Neubert, previously responsible for Operations on the MPO management board and now driving the integration from within Heidelberg Instruments added: "By combining the strengths of both companies we will offer our customers even more powerful products and excellent service."
