Balzers, Liechtenstein, February 2013 - Oerlikon Balzers, in line with its consist global expansion strategy, has opened the 8th Coating Centre in India, in Chandigarh (Punjab area), marking the next milestone in establishing a strong presence in regions with high growth business opportunities. "Despite current economic uncertainties we further invest proactively in our global footprint," explained Dr Hans Br?ndle, CEO of Oerlikon Balzers, "we believe in the growing demand in mobility in India and therefore increased our presence in one of the automotive parts and tractor industry hubs of the country." Balzers coating technology makes production processes, e.g., in the automotive industry, significantly more efficient and environmentally friendly. This is of growing importance worldwide, and especially in the emerging markets. Oerlikon Balzers now has 90 coating centers worldwide.

The latest coating centre is located in Chandigarh, one of the economic centres in the Punjab area, 260 km northwest of Delhi. Numerous local and international tractor and automotive component makers are based there. With the new coating center Oerlikon Balzers will serve the existing customers with faster turnaround times and attract new ones with its unique coating technologies.

Over the past 20 years Oerlikon Balzers expanded its global network of coating centres and capacities continuously. Whereas in 2000 the company operated 41 centres in 17 countries, the number has now reached 90 in 33 countries. The emerging markets in the Indian/Asian region played a crucial role in the expansion: 31 out of 90 coatings centres are already located in the Indian/Asian area today.

Oerlikon is a leading high-tech industrial group specialising in machine and plant engineering. The Company is a provider of innovative industrial solutions and cutting-edge technologies for textile manufacturing, drive, vacuum, coating, and advanced nanotechnology.

Oerlikon Balzers is one of the world's leading suppliers of surface technologies, which significantly improve the performance and durability of precision components as well as tools for the metal and plastics processing industries.