MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, August 14, 2003. Spectra-Physics has announced a major expansion of their operations in China with the creation of a new subsidiary that now provides in-country sales, service and support from its Beijing headquarters. The company intends to use this self-contained subsidiary as a springboard to continued success in the rapidly growing Chinese market for laser systems and photonic components and OEM sub-systems.
The new Beijing facility will offer a comprehensive inventory of laser spares and photonic components. A satellite operation in Shanghai will focus primarily on supporting the industrial market. Leading the launch of Spectra-Physics China is Dr. Baining Liu who serves as Spectra-Physics China Operations Director. Dr. Liu joined the company in 1998 and worked in its Berlin, Germany operations through 2003. His support team includes all the current members of Spectra-Physics existing distribution and service center at the Institute of Physics (Beijing).
Guy Broadbent, President of Spectra-Physics, notes that, "We see China as an important, fast-growing market for products across the entire expanded Spectra-Physics brand, from simple optics and photonic components through to high performance laser systems. Spectra-Physics was actually the first U.S. based photonics company to set up a local service center in China, in 1984, which allowed us to gain a strong position in the scientific and research markets. Setting up a fully integrated and self-contained operation enables us to expand our attention to the growing industrial and commercial markets, where local support and fast service and repair turnaround are particularly critical."
Commercial services in China have become more common. Dr. Liu notes that his management team includes all the experienced pioneers who started Spectra-Physics' service center in China 19 years ago, as well as several Chinese returnees from Europe. He explains that "We have blended several recent Ph.D. graduates with our existing Beijing sales team, allowing us to build on 19 years of local market awareness, reputation and goodwill."
Laser Focus World