10 December 1998: Belgian glassmaker Glaverbel SA has confirmed it sold its Termofrost subsidiary to the Schott-Glaverbel BV joint venture for BFr 500 million (US$ 14.58 million). Glaverbel said the sale of the Swedish subsidiary, which is still subject to regulatory approval, is expected to have a positive impact on its debt position and have “a slight favourable influence on its overall results for 1998”. Termofrost, which will be renamed Schott Termofrost, is the European leader in producing and marketing special glass panels for refrigeration and deep-freeze units. Termofrost had 1997 sales of BFr 827 million.

10 December 1998: US-based JDS Fitel Inc. and Corning Inc. said recenlty that they have entered into a contractual joint venture to develop and manufacture optical isolators.
Isolators are passive op…

10 December 1998: US-based JDS Fitel Inc. and Corning Inc. said recenlty that they have entered into a contractual joint venture to develop and manufacture optical isolators. Isolators are passive optical devices that are used in the telecommunications industry to reduce reflections, eliminate interference, crosstalk, or other instabilities in optical transmission systems, the companies said in a statement. The primary application for isolators is in optical amplifiers. Under the terms of the agreement, Canadian high technology firm JDS will design, develop, and manufacture the isolators for the venture from which Corning will source the majority of its needs. Terms of the venture were not disclosed. JDS manufactures and distributes a broad range of products for the growing fibre optic communications market. Corning manufactures optical fibre, cable and components, high-performance glass and components for electronic displays for communications.