With its new location in Singapore, Oerlikon Solar is boosting its presence and proximity to customers in Asia, while continuing to expand production, development and support for its thin-film silicon solar energy solutions. The facility will initially employ approximately 100 people and is planned to be completed within a year.
‘Asia is emerging as an important market for solar energy applications,’ says Dr. Uwe Krüger, CEO of Oerlikon Group. ‘The new location will allow Oerlikon Solar to build the necessary capacity to expand its market-leading position.’
As a provider of thin-film silicon solar solutions, Oerlikon Solar's sales have exceeded this year's planning and are expected to rise to more than CHF 700 million in 2008, with growth rates exceeding 50% over the next several years, the company says.
‘We are at the very beginning of a revolution in the energy market, similar to the dawn of the new age experienced about 30 years ago in the semiconductor industry, with the adoption of the integrated circuit,’ says Jeannine Sargent, Oerlikon Solar's CEO. ‘The decision to set up in Singapore positions Oerlikon Solar to achieve its growth goals over the next few years and to offer our customers outstanding service and support.’
