A SCOTTISH firm whose cutting-edge technology cleans the machines used to manufacture flat-panel TVs and solar cells is eyeing expansion in the Far East after agreeing a partnering deal with one of its longest-serving employees.
Inchinnan-based Teknek, which was founded in the late 1970s, said it was looking to better target the “relatively untapped” south east Asia market.
The company, which was bought by the giant Illinois Tool Works (ITW) in July 2011 for an undisclosed sum, has appointed long-serving employee Richard Meredith as “master distributor” for the area. Meredith has formed a company called Merasis which will partner with Teknek.
At the same time, European sales manager Douglas Gray will become Asia regional manager and will relocate to Shanghai in China along with his family. Further appointments to bolster the Asian operation are expected by the end of this month.
Teknek managing director Stephen Mitchell said the expansion marked a “very significant” investment in the region.
“We have been successfully building our base in Asia with offices in Japan and Korea, a regional fulfilment centre in Hong Kong and a regional headquarters in Shanghai,” he said. “In addition we have sales and service personnel in Thailand and India.
“Richard has worked for Teknek for many years during which time he has lived and worked in Asia. We are delighted he has partnered with us for this exciting venture. He will be joined in his company, Merasia, by the Teknek team from India and Thailand.”
The changes come as the firm reports “exponential demand” for its contact cleaning machines, which are installed worldwide. The devices help major electronics manufacturers reduce wastage – one failed pixel in a flat-screen display, for example, can lead to its costly rejection.
Following its 2011 takeover, Teknek become a wholly owned subsidiary of ITW, which was founded in 1912. The Fortune 200 group, which employs more than 65,000 people globally, describes itself as a “diversified industrial manufacturer”.
Mitchell added: “The next growth phase will leave the company better placed to serve its diverse customer base throughout Asia and put it in a prime position to take advantage of growth opportunities in the region.”
