[Leica] Leica has bought Sinar

[hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (G Hopkinson)]

Thanks Douglas, it's all quite interesting. I didn't know about the company 
relative sizes. I was speculating regarding a connection
with Jenoptik implementing the sensor for the M8.
Doesn't seem very likely that Leica would be ambitious enough to move into 
medium format digital.

Cheers
Hoppy

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org 
[mailto:lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Douglas Sharp
Sent: Tuesday, 26 September 2006 03:39
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica has bought Sinar

Pushed the button too soon,
It should be made clear that Leica bought ALL the Sinar shares owned by 
Jenoptik (who had a 51% share in Sinar) and now has a controlling share, 
Jenoptik is one of the foremost European players in the sensor, 
mechatronics and laser segment - and one of the greatest success stories 
of an East German company since the wall came down.

What I also wanted to add was the small snippet from the Jenoptik (was 
Carl Zeiss Jena) pages.
Jenoptik is the owner of "Robot" - yes, they still exist - and is 
currently involved in converting their products (traffic surveillance 
cameras) to digital technology.

Looks like the German/Swiss camera industry is undergoing some sort of 
renaissance - and trying to make a stand in a couple of the lucrative 
markets dominated by Carl Zeiss Oberkochen and their partners - while at 
the same time possibly looking towards European autonomy when it comes 
to sensor technologies.

Who exactly is behind pumping the money into Leica (much smaller than 
Jenoptik) to put them up front as a figurehead brand remains a mystery - 
Leica alone certainly didn't have the cash.
Douglas


Douglas Sharp wrote:
> Here's the actual press release from 25.09.2006
>
>
> Leica Camera AG, Solms, takes over 51% of the shares of Sinar AG, 
> Feuerthalen/Switzerland, from JENOPTIK Laser, Optik, SystemeGmbH, Jena 
> ("JENOPTIK"). JENOPTIK and Leica Camera AG have signed corresponding 
> acquisition and transfer contracts on September 25, 2006. 
> Confidentiality was agreed concerning the transfer price.
>
> The existing technical cooperation between JENOPTIK and Sinar AG 
> concerning digital camera backs will be continued.
>
> Sinar AG serves professional photographers with leading solutions in 
> medium and large format cameras, both with analogue and digital 
> technology. Leica Camera AG will continue and develop the Sinar 
> business with the Sinar brand and company structure, based on the 
> shared values of excellence and innovation.
>
> Both companies will benefit from synergies in technical collaboration 
> as well as marketing and sales. Leica Camera AG is confident that the 
> acquisition will bring positive developments for customers, employees 
> as well as shareholders of both companies. This is a first step on the 
> strategic path towards growing the business of Leica Camera AG.
>
>
> G Hopkinson wrote:
>> Does this point to control of Jenoptik for the M8 sensor?
>> Great to see the company expanding, that's for sure.
>> Cheers
>> Hoppy
>>
>>  
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org 
>> [mailto:lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org] On 
>> Behalf Of
>> Don Dory
>> Sent: Monday, 25 September 2006 21:56
>> To: Leica Users Group
>> Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica has bought Sinar
>>
>> It means for sure that Leica has more digital offerings in the pipeline.
>> Possibly does not want to be hostage to Panasonic forever.
>>
>> Don
>> don.dory@gmail.com
>>
>>
>> On 9/25/06, Didier Ludwig <rangefinder@screengang.com> wrote:
>>  
>>> The Leica bei Meister Newsletter I just received states that Leica
>>> AG, Solms, has buyed 51% of the Sinar shares previoisly owned by 
>>> Jenoptik.
>>>
>>> Swiss company Sinar http://www.sinar.ch/ is famous for it's
>>> professional solutions for the medium and large format photography.
>>> It's former owner Jenoptik http://www.jenoptik.com is the company
>>> that implements the kodak sensor and software in the M8.
>>>
>>> Would could this mean? Leica entering the digital medium/large format
>>> area? All I can say is that's it's positive sign that Leica is able
>>> to buy another company and not the other way round.
>>>
>>> Didier
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Leica Users Group.
>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>>
>>>     
>>
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>>
>>
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>>   
>
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