OEM, Charlotte, North Carolina-based optical disc manufacturer and supply-chain provider, has acquired Germany's CDA GmbH, a manufacturer of optical storage media as well as a leader in the field of polymer-based micro-optic elements.

CDA GmbH is one of the largest independent manufacturers of optical storage media in Europe and has in recent years evolved to become the leading European replicator of chip-based storage devices in the automotive sector. In addition, CDA has successfully established itself in the market as a manufacturer of components with micro structures; a new market segment with significant potential, especially in the application of sensors for gesture control.

OEM's CEO, Ray Zerrusen announced that this acquisition "creates many benefits for all stakeholders. The excellent market position of CDA in the new business areas of Flash Media Solutions and Microfunctional Solutions enables OEM to immediately venture into these attractive new market segments of Automotive, Pharmaceutical and Technology."

CDA's disc optical disc production sector - CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs - will be kept up and adapted to the market requirements, "if need be."

The companies are keen to insist the move will not lead to redundancies. Indeed, with the growth into these new market segments they say there will be additional employment positions to be filled. OEM's core business - media replication, packaging & assembly, fulfillment & distribution, print procurement, product sourcing, supply chain consulting and performance labour management - will continue to exist and it will furthermore be supported to expand in the European sector by CDA's distributional structure.

CDA's CEO and Media Tech Association Chairman Frank Hartwig and Managing Director Dr. Nicolaus Hettler will lead the OEM European operations based in Suhl, Germany.

Story filed 21.08.14