Fiber laser maker IPG Photonics Corp. announced today it has acquired its distributor in China, HM Laser, and is opening a new office in Beijing. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. HM Laser, a distributor and integrator of materials processing lasers and systems, is based in Beijing and has been IPG Photonics' distributor in China since October 2004. "Opening an office in Beijing demonstrates IPG's commitment to the China region and will enable the company to provide prompt and direct technical support," said Valentin Gapontsev, IPG Photonics' CEO. "We are seeing increased business activity in the evolving Chinese market, and our continued success demands that we have a local team. IPG China will address local market needs and support future regional growth. With our three existing offices in Asia, we now have a solid foothold in the region." IPG China will move into the new 34,000-sq-ft facility, located in the Beijing Development Zone, this summer, the company said. The office staff will include 30 sales, support, applications, technical and administrative personnel from HM Laser. Jun Shao, general manager of IPG China and formerly president of HM Laser, will direct the office, which will officially be called IPG (Beijing) Fiber Laser Technology Co. Ltd., IPG said. IPG Beijing can be reached by phone: 86-10-6787-3377, fax: 86-10-6788-2024, or e-mail: junshao@ipgphotonics.com.cnFor more information, visit: www.ipgphotonics.com