ATMI celebrates opening of South Korea production plant
The firm has invested $22 million and has used the cash to deliver completed construction as well as used some of it to launch operations
The microelectronic specialty materials market continues to gain strength in South Korea's manufacturing industry.
ATMI Inc, a global supplier of advanced material products, is keeping its promise of investing in the region, with $22 million to date.
The company marked this with a grand opening of one of ATMI's facilities in JangAn, South Korea, where it will be in close proximity to many key customers of ATMI's ion implant products, among others. ATMI cut the ribbon on its new manufacturing facility at the ceremony in the Gyeonggi province.
Key customers, local government dignitaries, ATMI executives and employees, and media members from the region were in attendance to mark the occasion.
The company launched the expansion of its Korea operations in the Fall of 2012 with a ceremony for this new facility and with the opening of a new advanced technology centre in Suwon. Officials from the Gyeonggi province and Hwaseong city governments had participated in that ceremony with ATMI executives and they did so again for the latest event.
"We have made a lot of progress in the past eighteen months," comments Senior Vice President and General Manager of ATMI's Microelectronics business Christian Kramer. "With the facility structures now in place, and qualifications underway, we are continuing the push to meet commitments to our customers, the Province and the people of South Korea. This is an effort of strategic and economic importance to many, so I am excited to see it reach operational status. I would like to thank the wonderful people from the local governing bodies and agencies for their support and our ATMI team members for their excellent efforts in making this a reality."
After a welcome speech by ATMI Chairman and CEO Doug Neugold, and statements and acknowledgements from the attending customers and government officials, all were treated to a site tour and hospitality.
Construction of the four main buildings of the manufacturing site is complete, and customer qualifications have commenced for ATMI's ion implant process products the Safe Delivery Source (SDS) and VAC gas cylinder systems.
"We are looking forward to the capability this facility will provide us to fully support our customers on a local and regional level," notes Steve Jang, head of Korea operations for ATMI.
ATMI recently signed an agreement with industry peer Entegris, Inc., whereby Entegris will acquire ATMI. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of this year.
