SUNNYVALE and SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- K2 Optronics, Inc., a provider of lasers for the telecommunications, cable television, sensing, and test and measurement industries, and Fabrinet, an electronics manufacturing services company specializing in the engineering and manufacture of complex optical, mechanical, and electronic components, modules, and subassemblies, today announced the signing of a strategic agreement under which Fabrinet will manufacture K2 Optronics' market-leading EC-48 external cavity lasers (ECL), which are 2.5 Gbps, directly modulated DWDM lasers with up to 650 km reach.

"We are pleased to have forged a manufacturing partnership with a company like Fabrinet," said Raj Kapany, President and CEO, K2 Optronics. "Fabrinet is very enthusiastic about working with K2 Optronics. They are a strong manufacturing entity that works with many of the top component suppliers in this industry. Being associated with Fabrinet will help us bolster our business model and provides a great deal of confidence for our customers that the current high quality of K2 Optronics' laser modules will be maintained."

"K2 Optronics excels in developing and producing innovative laser modules for the fiberoptic communications industry," commented Tom Mitchell, CEO and President, Fabrinet. "They have set high quality and reliability standards. We are pleased to be working with K2 Optronics to ensure that their customers receive the benefits of a low-cost manufacturing environment while continuing to receive the highest quality products."

"Both companies have worked closely together to ensure a timely and smooth transfer of the manufacturing process from K2 Optronics to Fabrinet," said Richard Bergstrom, Director of Operations, K2 Optronics. "Fabrinet's materials management expertise ensures cost benefits in materials purchasing. This is one aspect of our continuing close collaboration to drive manufacturing costs down. Our customers also benefit from reduced lead times resulting from our increased manufacturing capacity and Fabrinet's excellent quality assurance systems."

"Together in partnership, Fabrinet will provide K2 Optronics with innovative and industry-leading directly modulated DWDM lasers in a highly cost effective and robust package," noted Nat Mani, Vice President of Business Development, Fabrinet. "Fabrinet is recognized as a best-in-class engineering and manufacturing technology company for optical and mechanical technologies. Our rich portfolio of complex technologies, process enhancement design for manufacturability, and quality systems are unparalleled in the optical industry."

K2 Optronics Inc.

Fabrinet Co. Ltd.