ZURICH & BALZERS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DKSH Holding Ltd. and Oerlikon Systems (Business Unit within the OC Oerlikon Ltd.) today announced that the companies have reached an agreement that DKSH will take over all sales and after-sales activities of Oerlikon Systems in China and Taiwan.

“With the DKSH partnership, we will be able to react quickly to local opportunities, and build upon our established reputation in the market. DKSH offers us the unique opportunity to transfer our proven capability into an exclusive support structure for our products. In addition, we can benefit from the strong network of DKSH in Greater China and will therefore be able to reach and support our customers even better,” said Trevor Norman, International Sales & Market Manager at Oerlikon Systems.

“The equipment from Oerlikon Systems provides us with a uniquely innovative and proven technology. We can now offer our Taiwanese and Chinese customers the most technologically advanced production facilities for PVD Semiconductor”, says Luke Mitchell. “The partnership with Oerlikon Systems emphasizes our strategy of expanding our coverage beyond Semiconductor into synergistic markets such as advanced nanotechnology applications and photovoltaics” adds Luke Mitchell, Executive Vice President Business Unit Technology at DKSH. “We want to continue our rapid course of growth in these fields of high tech."

The well established network of sales and support resources from DKSH and the proven technology from Oerlikon Systems are a winning combination for the entire semiconductor industry. “Our strategic partnership with Oerlikon Systems is designed to leverage complementary strengths. By forming a partnership with Oerlikon Systems, DKSH will be able to satisfy its customers with Oerlikon System's proven, industry-leading coating technology and DKSH's extensive local sales and customer support network. This helps us to strengthen our position as the No. 1 provider of Market Expansion Services" commented Dr. Adrian Eberle, Head of Country Management DKSH Taiwan.

DKSH will become the exclusive representative for Oerlikon System's coating equipment in Taiwan and China. They will also provide manpower and value-adding services in the area of installation, ramp-up, and customer service.

About OC Oerlikon

Oerlikon (SIX: OERL) is one of the world's leading international high-tech industrial groups specializing in machine and plant engineering. The company is a leader in the field of industrial solutions and innovative technologies for textile manufacture, thin-film solar and thin-film coating, drive, precision and vacuum systems. With roots in Switzerland and a long tradition stretching back 100 years, Oerlikon is a global player with a workforce of almost 18,500 at 180 locations in 37 different countries. The company's sales amounted to CHF 4.8 billion in 2008 and it ranks either first or second in the respective global markets.

About DKSH

DKSH is the leading Market Expansion Services Group with focus on Asia. As "Market Expansion Services" suggests, DKSH helps other companies and brands to grow their business in new or existing markets.

With 460 business locations in 35 countries and 22,000 specialized staff it is one of the top 20 Swiss companies ranked by sales and employees. In 2008, DKSH generated annual gross revenues of CHF 8,400 million.

The company offers any combination of sourcing, marketing, sales, distribution, and after-sales services. It provides business partners with expertise as well as on-the-ground logistics based on a comprehensive network of unique size and depth. Business activities are organized into four specialized Business Units: Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Performance Materials and Technology.

Although DKSH is a Swiss company with headquarters in Zurich, it is deeply rooted in communities all across Asia Pacific, since it looks back on a more than 140-year-long tradition of doing business in and with the region.