\n\tThe Surface Solutions Segment of the Oerlikon Group, Switzerland, announces that Oerlikon Metco will cover the Korean market directly by taking over Metco Business, its previous distribution partner. The company also announces that Oerlikon Balzers has opened up an additional Customer Centre in the country.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe new location in Gwangju is Oerlikon Balzers fifth Customer Centre in South Korea, and its 108th<\/sup> <\/span>worldwide. This new center will enable better short-term delivery service for customers in the forming tool\/home appliance and automotive industries in the Gwangju area.<\/p>\n \n\tEffective April 1, Oerlikon Metco also took over all Metco assets from IWS, its long-term local distribution partner, and officially opened the new Oerlikon Metco Korea branch office in Seoul.<\/p>\n \n\t“Our two companies have enjoyed a highly successful partnership since 1985 when IWS became Oerlikon Metco’s representative in South Korea,” says Markus Heusser, Head of Business Unit Materials & Technology at Oerlikon Surface Solutions. “Oerlikon Metco has become the leading thermal spray brand in South Korea. The new Oerlikon Metco Korea office is the next step in this process, and will provide even better and more direct service for our regional customers.”<\/p>\n \n\t“With our own Oerlikon Metco sales office and sales force, and the fifth Oerlikon Balzers Customer Centre in South Korea, the Surface Solutions Segment emphasizes its presence in this important market. These developments will further improve our customer relationships and growth in the various South Korean industries,” says Roland Herb, CEO Surface Solutions Segment of the Oerlikon Group.<\/p>\n