JDS Uniphase to Purchase EPITAXX Inc.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 8 -- JDS Uniphase Corp. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Trenton, N.J.-based EPITAXX Inc., a supplier of optical detectors and receivers for fiber-optic telecommunications and cable television networks. The agreement terms include a purchase price of $400 million to be paid to EPITAXX security holders in JDS Uniphase Common Stock. A subsidiary of Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd. -- a key supplier of micro-lenses to JDS Uniphase -- holds the majority of EPITAXX's shares. The companies expect to close the transaction in November 1999, subject to certain closing conditions.
We are very pleased to bring EPITAXX into the JDS Uniphase family, said Kevin Kalkhoven, co-chairman and CEO of JDS Uniphase. The capability to supply advanced detectors and receivers, both in component form and as part of integrated modules, is a very significant step for JDS Uniphase in expanding our active optoelectronic product lines.