Swedish replication tool maker M2 Engineering has sold multiple CD and DVD replication lines to the VDC Group, the UK’s largest independent optical disc manufacturer.

The VDC Group facility in Park Royal, London, saw the first M2 equipment installed in 2006, following the purchase of the first batch of four SQ1 CD machines. This was quickly followed by the purchase of a number of SQ20 DVD lines that have "served VDC well in terms of high productivity and reliability." The company has now increased its production capacity following the installation of three SQ20 DVD replication lines and two SQ1 CD lines from M2.

“With the SQ20, we were one of the first customers for this new machine and were extremely satisfied with the way in which M2 quickly reacted to and solved all problems with the early version of the lines that we received,” says Sanjay Mohindra, Joint Managing Director of VDC Group. “The SQ20 is now a fully mature and proven DVD replication line and we also place a lot of value on the fact that a BD upgrade for the SQ20 is being developed as this will allow us to easily move into BD production in the near future”.

The SQ-Blu module currently being developed will be an add-on to the existing platform and will allow the production of all DVD formats and BD25 and BD50 within a single line.

In separate news, M2 Engineering AB has appointed Rick Hooper as Group CEO. Hooper replaces Carl Langenskiöld who will continue his involvement with M2 as Chairman of the Board of Directors, having a strong focus on the further development of the company’s solar cell activities. Hooper will be based in Thailand, which has become a key location for M2 following the establishment of the machine production facility at Amata Nakorn in 2006. This facility has a central role in the planned diversification and growth of the company.

Story filed 20.10.08