Optics Balzers Opens Production Facilities In Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- German-based Optics Balzers, a global leader in the supply of optical coatings and components, has officially opened its production facilities in Penang. The facility has started production with 30 employees in early September. "It is becoming increasingly clear that the strategic decision to establish a new production site in Malaysia was a good one. "There have been various inquiries about high-quantity production projects from potential customers in Asia and these resulted in actual orders very quickly," Chief Executive Officer of Optics Balzers, Alex Vogt said in a statement Monday. Vogt said the prompt start of production was possible because a team of about 10 staff members was sent from Balzers, Liechtenstein to Malaysia to support the start-up phase. The next few months are mostly aimed at handing over the responsibilities of the production process to the local staff, he said. Vogt said the production site in Malaysia was the ideal addition to its headquarters in Balzers and another German plant in Jena. "The new production site enables us to exploit the market opportunities immediately and helps us to purposefully expand our market shares in Asia with new customer projects and new products," he said. The company's focus is going to be on optical solutions for applications in attractive future markets. "Expanding to Asia specifically boosts the development of new products, skills and know-how in Jena and Balzers, where we mainly work on new products until they are ready for series production," Vogt said, adding that the new site in Malaysia would also ultimately strengthen the European sites. Optics Balzers is a high-tech company focusing on selected markets such as automotive, sensors & imaging, biophotonics, space & defence, lighting & projection, and industrial applications. The products and services offered range from optical coatings and glass processing, patterning and bonding technologies to the manufacture of complete optical subassemblies and are acknowledged as being unique worldwide. -- BERNAMA