http://www.pentax.co.jp/english/news...0071029-02.pdf
" Contents of Business
Following the Merger, based on the common core technological foundation in optics, imaging
and materials, the new company will be able to optimize its business portfolios, focusing on the
life care, optics, information technology, eye care, and imaging systems areas. Expected stable
revenues from the information technology and eye care areas will support the life care area in
achieving strategic growth. In addition, vertical integration in the optics field will lead to
qualitative structural reform and further strengthen competitiveness.
● Life care area (endoscopes, medical accessories, new ceramics, intraocular lenses, etc.)
● Optics area (optical glass and lenses, digital camera modules, micro-lenses, etc.)
● Information technology area (mask blanks, glass disk substrates, etc.)
● Eye care area (eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, etc.)
● Imaging systems area (digital cameras, binoculars, etc.)
● New areas and other areas (printers, surveying instruments, etc.)"
Now, Hoya does not yet have an Imaging systems area / division, it will start when the new financial year starts. Current Pentax Imaging Business will be transferred to the Imaging Systems division, being a separate division (as Mr Ned Bunnel talks about in the official letter from Pentax Imaging US) The lenses and "digical camera modules" gets transferred to the optic-division. Now, I don't know what "digital camera modules"-mean - but my guess is, because it is in the Optics area, that it is optical systems that can be sold as modules for other camera makers. Hp, Casio and others has used lenses from Pentax in their digicams, and this business is probably "digital camera modules".
One thing that seems a bit odd, is that the binoculars are in the Imaging systems and not in the optics. I have no explanation to this...
One thing that I see as a possibility here, and now I'm simply guessing without any substantial evidence, is that Hoya starts to make Hoya lenses - for other cameras than Pentax. That would broaden their output of lenses. Re-branding some Pentax lenses as Hoya and selling in Canon and Nikon mount, and competing with Sigma and Tamron. Not the special, very-Pentax, designs, but some of the more general designs (like the DA 50-200 and 16-45 f/4), and - of course -lowering the price. Also lowering the price of the Pentax-branded lenses. (This should be possible now because of the cost reduction Hoya gets by making the glass and lenses). Well, this may never happen, and Tokina wouldn't like it, but to broaden their market... why not?
Or what about Hoya actually buys Tokina? That would be interresting.