Pfäffikon SZ / Balzers, Liechtenstein – December 2, 2013 – Oerlikon Balzers, the market and technology leader in the field of high-quality hard material coatings is continuing to expand its footprint in Asia and is opening its first coating center in the Philippines. Thanks to its local presence, the Segment can now provide customers in the Philippines with more efficient and extensive service. With this new center, Oerlikon Balzers' global service network now comprises of 93 coating centers in 34 countries. In addition, the Segment is expanding its service portfolio at one existing center in the region: In Korea, coating and reconditioning of tools will complement coating services.
In the coating business, proximity to the customer is a key success factor. For this reason, the expansion of its footprint in existing and new markets is an integral element in Oerlikon Balzers' growth strategy. In particular, the company is directing its attention to Asia, which is already home to around one-third of the Segment's coating centers. The most recent expansion effort is scheduled to begin in the Philippines: In December 2013, Oerlikon Balzers will open its first coating center in the country in the city of Laguna, which is located near the capital of Manila. "After serving our customers in the Philippines from Singapore for the last five years, we decided to open our own center in the country in order to be even closer to our customers and to significantly reduce service times," Dr. Hans Brändle, CEO of Oerlikon Balzers, said in explaining the decision.
Service range expanded in Korea
In addition, Oerlikon Balzers is expanding its service range in one of the region's existing centers. The coating center in Gunsan that opened in 2008 only offered coating services for components in the past. Tools were coated in the center in Pyeongtaek. Due to the continued economic growth of the Gunsan region, the decision was made to add the coating and reconditioning of tools to the center's service range. As a result customers will receive better service.
"rox" regrinding concept on road to success
The introduction of a service for tool reconditioning in Korea demonstrates that the "rox" regrinding concept rolled out by Oerlikon Balzers in 2013 in the emerging countries of Asia also meets customers' needs. After being reconditioned, the tools perform like new, but at lower cost. With these services, the Segment is playing a key role in stimulating economic growth in the emerging countries of Asia.
