JDSU
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Optical communication systems, testing and measurement instruments, laser technologies |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Fate | Split into Viavi Solutions and Lumentum Holdings in August 2015 |
| Headquarters | Milpitas, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (over 160 countries) |
| Products | Communications testing instruments; optical modules, components, and subsystems; lasers for biotechnology and semiconductor fabrication; thin film coatings; optical solutions for brand protection and decorative enhancements |
| Revenue | US$1.709 billion (2015) |
| –US$88.1 million (2015) | |
| –US$88.1 million (2015) | |
| Total assets | US$2.218 billion (2015) |
| Total equity | US$1.101 billion (2015) |
Number of employees | 5,100 (2015) |
JDS Uniphase Corporation (JDSU) was a U.S.-based enterprise focused on optical communication systems, testing and measurement instruments, laser technologies, and optical applications for authentication and decorative purposes. With its main office located in Milpitas, California, JDSU maintained a worldwide presence through 80 offices, serving clients across more than 160 nations.
In 2015, the company generated revenues totaling US$1.709 billion but reported operating and net losses amounting to US$88.1 million. Its total assets were valued at US$2.218 billion, with shareholders' equity of US$1.101 billion, supported by a workforce of roughly 5,100 employees.
The range of JDSU’s offerings encompassed communications testing instruments; optical modules, components, and subsystems; lasers utilized in biotechnology and semiconductor fabrication; thin film coatings for aerospace, defense, and display applications; as well as optical solutions designed for brand protection and decorative enhancements to improve brand identity.
In August 2015, JDSU underwent a strategic corporate reorganization that resulted in the creation of two separate publicly traded entities: Viavi Solutions and Lumentum Holdings. This restructuring was intended to allow each company to concentrate on their distinct market segments—test and measurement versus optical components—thereby strengthening their competitive positions and influence within the telecommunications sector.
History
Uniphase originated in 1979 within a San Jose garage, initially producing lasers for semiconductor manufacturers and scanners.
In 1981, JDS Optics was established in Ottawa by Philip Garel-Jones, Gary Duck, Jozef Straus, and Bill Sinclair. The acronym "JDS" represents Jones, Duck, and Straus/Sinclair. Following a partnership with fiber optics firm Fitel, it was renamed JDS Fitel.
The merger of JDS Fitel and Uniphase in 1999 gave rise to JDS Uniphase. During the telecommunications boom period, the company expanded by acquiring three significant fiber optics firms: Optical Coating Laboratory Inc. (OCLI) for $6.2 billion, E-TEK Dynamics for $15 billion, and SDL for $45 billion.
After CEO Straus retired in 2003, the headquarters moved to San Jose to streamline operations. In 2005, JDSU broadened its Test and Measurement division by acquiring Acterna for $760 million; Acterna itself had been formed from the merger of Wavetek Wandel Goltermann and TTC.
In 2006, the corporate headquarters relocated to Milpitas, California.
December 2013 saw JDSU purchase Network Instruments, a network performance management company, for $200 million.
On August 1, 2015, the company split into Viavi Solutions and Lumentum Holdings Inc., marking a deliberate shift in organizational structure and strategic focus.
Stock
Throughout the 1990s, JDS Uniphase was regarded as a prominent technology stock, with its share price doubling on three occasions alongside three 2:1 stock splits between late 1999 and early 2000. This rapid increase created substantial value for employees holding stock options and supported an aggressive acquisition approach. Nevertheless, following the telecom industry downturn amid the dot-com crash, JDS Uniphase recorded the largest goodwill impairment at that time in July 2001. The workforce contracted from nearly 29,000 employees to about 5,300 as part of its Global Realignment Program, which also led to numerous factory shutdowns worldwide. The stock price tumbled from $153 down to below $2 per share. On September 23, 2005, a one-for-eight reverse stock split was executed by JDSU.
Following the telecom sector collapse in 2001, the state of Connecticut initiated legal action against JDSU and four of its top executives, accusing them of deceiving investors regarding the company's financial decline. Contrary to common practice where such lawsuits are resolved through early settlements, this case advanced to trial in October 2007. By November 2007, JDSU and the involved executives were found not guilty on all allegations.