Vacuum technology provider Edwards has opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in South Korea to serve customers there and around the globe, it announced Monday. Edwards invested approximately $100 million in this site, which is not only a factory but also a technical center. The center will increase technical applications support in South Korea and enable the development of product derivatives and the introduction of new products. The facility will act as a hub for the company’s growing range of dry vacuum pumps and systems for processes in the semiconductor, LCD, solar, LED and flat panel markets, the company said. Featuring a manufacturing capacity in excess of 25,000 units per year, the facility will employ 300 staff initially, growing to 400 by 2012. The company expects total employee numbers in South Korea to be up to 700 in 2012. The site brings the company’s total number of global manufacturing sites to seven, including facilities in the UK, Czech Republic and Japan. In addition, Edwards has 15 service centers worldwide. For more information, visit: www.edwardsvacuum.com