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X-Rite Acquires Tunable Laser Technology

21 September 2000

X-Rite Acquires Tunable Laser Technology; New Technology Broadens X-Rite's Potential Markets

    GRANDVILLE, Mich.--Sept. 21, 2000--X-Rite, Incorporated , a leading global provider of technology solutions that measure color and light, announced today that it has acquired the assets of the HoloVision(TM) Products Group of Veridian-ERIM International.
    HoloVision's product line is based on tunable laser technology and is used in a variety of industries to accurately map the surfaces of physical objects. In addition to its own market pursuits, X-Rite is partnering with Veridian-ERIM International to develop new and advanced applications for this technology. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
    "This acquisition represents one of many investments we will be making in new technology and new markets for X-Rite," said Rich Cook, President and CEO of X-Rite, Incorporated. XR Ventures, L.L.C, will manage the further development of this technology and apply it to fast growth markets enabling X-Rite to return to its more traditional growth rates. Tunable lasers take X-Rite outside of its traditional technologies of light and color into an advanced region with applicability to many markets. We will quickly study a few of the markets to determine where we will deploy this new capability. We already know it will have what is perhaps a unique application to the new field of micro-machines."
    The acquisition includes know-how and five patents in the field of tunable laser technology. Currently this know-how is applied to non-contact measurement applications, requiring a 3D perspective. This capability will be particularly useful for markets of electronic component evaluation, micro-machines, biomedical, and other diverse markets requiring high-resolution non-contact vision. The broader technology represented by the patents may also prove to be valuable in markets for more advanced devices in holography, semiconductor fabrication and telecommunications.
    Cook added, "We are also excited that Veridian-ERIM International will partner with us. The company is the world's leader in remote sensing technology and has the total expertise required for integration of an entire sensor-to-knowledge system. We expect this partnership to provide further benefit to both organizations in the future."