CAMBRIDGE, England, July 2 -- Polatis, the Cambridge-based company developing all-optical switching products for telecommunications equipment manufacturers, announced the acquisition of its manufacturing center on the Cambridge Science Park. The new premises will house Polatis' manufacturing operations as the company rolls out pilot production of fiber optic switch products through the second half of 2001.
    The manufacturing center is Polatis' second site on the Cambridge Science Park and is adjacent to its existing headquarters. The center provides a dedicated, controlled environment to assemble production units as manufacturing volumes increase. Polatis has invested heavily in the 7000 sq ft unit and has the option of expanding its production facility to 26,000 sq ft to meet demand.
    As part of the company's expansion, Polatis will also be looking to recruit additional technicians and engineers with a view to increasing total staff numbers to more than 100 over the next twelve months.