1999

Acquisition of Nippon Glassfiber Co., Ltd., and Micro Opto Co., Ltd.

Continuous glass fiber (left) and SELFOC™ Micro Lens (SML) (Right)

In April 1999, in order to directly manage two promising areas as core businesses, the company acquired its subsidiaries Nippon Glassfiber Co., Ltd. and Micro Opto Co., Ltd. The former produced continuous glass fiber, and special glass fibers such as glass cord and GLASFLAKE™; while the latter produced the SELFOC™ Lens Array (SLA) and SELFOC™ Micro Lens (SML), all of which were world-leading products. As a result of this acquisition, Nippon Glassfiber's head factory joined the company as the Tsu Plant.