DECEMBER 14, 2006 -- Specialty optical fiber manufacturer StockerYale Inc. (search for StockerYale) has announced that it will increase its investment in personnel and equipment to develop fibers for fiber lasers and amplifiers targeting communications applications.

The company is dedicating further resources to optimize its erbium-doped fiber for next-generation high-power amplifiers, which are used in network service applications such as video, high-speed Internet, and telephony. According to company representatives, StockerYale will make additional capital investments to expand both its R&D and production capacity to address these rapidly growing market segments.

Based on a recent report by Strategies Unlimited, the emerging market for fiber lasers is expected to grow by a compound annual growth rate of approximately 39%, from $131 million in 2005 to $674 million by 2010. According to independent industry research firm Frost & Sullivan, the fiber amplifier market is estimated to grow from $412 million in 2005 to $540 million in 2009.

"Given both the size and growth prospects for rare earth fibers, as well as the fact that there are few independent manufacturers of such fibers, StockerYale is well positioned to service these markets," contends Mark W. Blodgett, chairman and CEO.

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