Softline acquired a controlling stake in NTO IRE-Polus from IPG Photonics, an international group based in the USA. Remaining minority stake in NTO IRE-Polus was obtained by the top management of the company. NTO IRE-Polyus is the largest manufacturer of fiber lasers in Russia and the CIS and has a large R&D potential and its own production facilities in Russia. Amount of the transaction amounted to about ₽4.5 billion.