On opening day of SPIE Photonics West 2009, StockerYale Inc., a manufacturer of structured light lasers, LED modules and specialty optical assemblies for industrial OEMs, and medical and defense markets, announced that its specialty optical fibers (SOF) division is expanding its business development strategy to further capture market share in key industrial, defense, telecom and medical verticals. The strategy, which leverages the technical expertise of the SOF division, has been solidified with recent business development successes with Boston Scientific Corp. and with ongoing fiber component and fiber laser initiatives with SOF customers.“As we actively pursue higher value projects in our select verticals, our SOF unit has transformed from a components provider to a custom manufacturer of unique fiber-centric assemblies and devices, and we become a highly valued partner with positive implications for higher dollar value and gross margin contracts,” said Mark W. Blodgett, chairman and CEO of StockerYale. “The expanded strategy leverages our SOF expertise to move beyond fiber alone, to help customers design or manufacture every solution that contains and utilizes fiber. In doing so, customers can rely on our expertise and efficiency in fiber, enabling them to achieve significant improvements in performance, reliability and product prototyping. We also enable solutions for their fiber-based systems, including solving performance and integration complexities, achieving rapid design and prototyping, and sourcing completed modular and system products. At the same time, we intend to focus our offering on high-value custom fibers, such as those used in minimally invasive medical procedures.”As part of its SOF strategy, StockerYale introduced a thulium-doped optical fiber product for fiber lasers in June 2008. The product represents an expansion of its product offering into one of the fastest growing and highest potential areas for fiber lasers, and it positions the company to further penetrate key military and medical verticals. The company also acquired Spectrode LLC in October 2007 to enhance SOF initiatives. Leveraging the latter’s intellectual property for pulsed fiber laser technology, StockerYale subsequently secured new, classified development projects.StockerYale is at booth 1621 at Photonics West 2009.For more information, visit: www.stockeryale.com.