BURLINGTON, Mass. -- EM4, Inc., an emerging force in contract design and manufacturing services for photonics and integrated optics, today announced a breakthrough manufacturing process and the achievement of critical milestones that validate EM4's unique outsourced manufacturing model and methods. The company has introduced a single step, high precision, submicron process for producing active optoelectronic components, resulting in increased yields, reduced cycle times, and lower costs. EM4 has turned early interest in the approach into positive results, adding customers, partners, and an $8 million Series B round of funding. The company is now undertaking a move into substantially larger facilities in Bedford, Mass.

EM4 has developed proprietary next-generation assembly tools that provide faster, more accurate, and more reproducible fiber alignment at critical manufacturing stages. The process utilizes partial automation and provides a two-fold increase in capacity and throughput, while also improving yield. These enhancements translate directly to lower costs and higher performance for EM4 customers.

"EM4 is finally making it affordable for companies to outsource their optoelectronic and photonic component manufacturing," said Basil Garabet, CEO of EM4. "Our unique manufacturing process improves yields and lowers costs of component production. Our recent Series B round, our upcoming move, and our overall expansion are testimony to the success of our business model."

EM4's new facility greatly enlarges the company's manufacturing and office space. The new 30,000 square foot building significantly increases EM4's production capacity, thereby enhancing the company's manufacturing partnership with key customers. The facility includes a manufacturing clean room that is more than triple the size of EM4's former site, enabling EM4 to increase its optoelectronic and photonic component design and manufacturing abilities accordingly. EM4 plans to move into the site in February.

Founded in 2001, EM4 helps its customers drive down costs, reduce risk, and compete more effectively by outsourcing the design and manufacture of optoelectronic and photonic components. These services enhance manufacturability, eliminate production bottlenecks, and accelerate overall time-to market. Companies like PD-LD are seeing the benefits that EM4 brings to their business and their bottom line.

EM4's core capabilities include the design, development, full-scale production and reliability testing of integrated active devices such as digital and analog lasers and receivers; sensors and interferometers. By partnering with EM4, companies can focus valuable resources on product innovation, marketing, and distribution with confidence that the supply of the most critical optoelectronic components in their systems and networks is reliable and cost-effective.

EM4 Inc.