LPKF is one of the worlds leading providers of laser systems for the production of electronic components. Around 70 percent of the companys sales are generated in Asia. South Korea joins China and Taiwan as one of the Garbsen, Germany-based laser specialists key markets. LPKF is already present in China with seven service and sales locations. South Korea has been managed up until now through distributors. The flourishing business in South Korea has now led to the decision to secure direct access to the market there. We already have an installed base of more than 300 LPKF systems in South Korea, explains Dr. Ingo Bretthauer, CEO of LPKF AG. Starting in 2014, we will be able to serve our customers locally with our own service and sales team.

Peter Birkner has been appointed to the position of CEO of the new sub-sidiary. He will develop the business at the Seoul location. Birkner has previously successfully established customer service and sales support for a German solar company. He and his team of currently eight techni-cians and engineers have completed training at the headquarters in Garb-sen, near Hannover. The goal is to have some 20 qualified service and sales employees on site by next year. The South Korean website can be found now atwww.lpkf.kr.

The first sales tasks will follow on the heels of the opening of the subsidi-ary on April 1. The Korean team will present a cross section of LPKF sys-tems at the important SMT/PCB Nepcon Korea trade show on April 24, 2014. At Stand 117 in Hall C, LPKF will present the UV laser MicroLine 2120 Si for depaneling of PCBs. Laser direct structuring (LDS) represents another core area of the presentation. In this process, a laser is used to produce traces on three-dimensional parts for especially compact, light, and economical electronic components. Besides the LPKF Fusion3D 1500 production system, the prototyping solution composed of an LDS paint (LPKF ProtoPaint LDS), the ProtoLaser 3D prototyping laser, and the ProtoPlate LDS instant metallizer will be shown at the Nepcon stand.