30 June 2011

Aixtron opens Chinese subsidiary for faster and more efficient customer support

Deposition equipment maker Aixtron SE of Herzogenrath, Germany has announced the opening of its Chinese subsidiary Aixtron China Ltd as the next step in its plans for further expansion in the country. The new entity replaces the representative office and operates out of expanded facilities in Shanghai. The move is intended to support Aixtron’s growing base of Chinese customers, and should make it easier to grow by opening other facilities throughout China in the near future, says the firm.

“This is the next logical step in terms of our increasing commitment to support China’s aggressive plans to become one of the world’s leading countries in LED production,” says Dr Christian Geng, Aixtron VP Greater China. “This also reflects the strong growth in Aixtron’s MOCVD [metal-organic chemical vapor deposition] installed base and our increasingly competitive edge in this exciting market,” he adds. “It allows us to further enhance our customer support, which will result in reducing operating costs for our customers through streamlined processes and a broader range of services.”

The significant investment will make it possible to supply customers with spare parts and service support more quickly faster and more efficiently on a local basis, reckons the firm. Aixtron intends to continue expanding with further investments in China later this year.

“We are deeply impressed by China’s commitment to introduce efficient lighting with LEDs and taking a leading role,” says executive VP & chief operating officer Dr Bernd Schulte. “We are fully supportive of our increasing customer base and the government agencies involved.”

Aixtron’s recent growth in China has meant that the number of employees in its Chinese operation has tripled in the last two years to the current level of over 40 and will continue to grow throughout the year.

Aixtron notes that it has proven MOCVD expertise in relation to carbon nanotubes, silicon, silicon carbide and organic semiconductors. Its new R&D center, which opened last summer on the site of its headquarters in Germany, is driving the development of next-generation deposition systems for future materials. The firm also underlined its international focus by converting into a European company (SE - Societas Europaea) at the end of 2010.

See related items:

LED shipments growing 40% to 165bn in 2011

Booming MOCVD market gathers pace

See: Aixtron Company Profile

Tags: Aixtron MOCVD LEDs

Visit: www.aixtron.com