Jenoptik has acquired the remaining 33.42% of the shares in Jenoptik Japan Co. Ltd. from its joint venture partner Kantum Ushikata Mfg. Co. Ltd., transferring the joint venture to a wholly owned Jenoptik Group subsidiary. The two business partners have agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the shares. Jenoptik Japan, based in Yokohama, has 10 employees and generates sales in the single-digit million euro range. The company was founded in 2005 as a joint venture between Kantum and Jenoptik and initially started as a sales company for diode lasers. Today the business of Jenoptik Japan comprises photonic components, systems, and machines from Jenoptik — in addition to diode lasers, laser systems, optics, and industrial measurement technology. “Japan is a strategically very important market for our internationalization,” Jenoptik President and CEO Stefan Traeger said. “We can build on a good foundation and advance the further development in Japan.” Traeger went on to thank Kantum for its partnership, declaring that in the future his company will continue to invest primarily in its sales organization and footprint in Japan. With photonic technologies, Jenoptik said it is focusing on OEM customers and system suppliers with production facilities in and outside Japan while also further expanding its proximity to customers. Following the stock acquisition, the company said it is structuring and strengthening its international business and sees growth opportunities mainly in Asia.