CoorsTek recently announced the opening of its new Specialty Materials Center, which will focus on the development of next-generation ceramic materials for applications in high-technology markets, like semiconductor, electronics, laser, advanced armor, medical and others. The multi-million-dollar center, located within the company’s existing facility at 600 9th St. in Golden, Colo., provides a comprehensive resource for advanced ceramic material development.

State-of-the-art processing, manufacturing, finishing and materials analysis equipment were added, along with a significant increase in technical staffing and a substantial expansion of the company’s R&D facilities. All of these capabilities are designed to enable ultra-high material purities, increased characterization detail, faster material development cycles and expanded advanced processing capabilities.

“We’ve built an amazing capability within the last 18 months by hand-selecting some of the world’s most capable equipment and personnel,” said Frank Anderson, Ph.D., director of technology for CoorsTek. “Our ultra-pure ceramic materials capability will support nearly all of our industries, especially the stringent demands of the semiconductor manufacturing market as it moves beyond 45 nm devices.”

Another Expansion

In addition, CoorsTek recently broke ground on a new technical ceramics manufacturing facility in South Korea. The new facility, located in Gumi City, will be more than three times larger than the current location in Kyungbook to accommodate the expected increases in demand for high-purity and other specialty ceramics for the semiconductor and flat-panel display industries.

“We’re very proud of the success we’ve experienced in the Asia-Pacific region, and this new facility will further support our worldwide customer base,” said Eun-Suk Cha, president of CoorsTek Korea. “We are carefully reviewing every component of the new facility to ensure superior customer support, excellent manufacturing efficiencies, and rapid-build capabilities.”

For additional information, visit www.coorstek.com.

SIDEBAR: Top Company

John K. Coors, center, accepts the Top Company Award. Photo courtesy of Phil Mumford, ColoradoBiz Magazine.

CoorsTek, Inc. recently received the Colorado Top Company Award for its excellence in financial performance, manufacturing and community involvement at an awards ceremony for the 20th Annual Top Company competition. Presented by Peter deSilva, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of UMB Financial Corp., and Sandy Rothe, managing partner of Deloitte, the award was received by John K. Coors, president, CEO and chairman of CoorsTek, Inc.

“CoorsTek employees dedicate themselves on a daily basis to make a measurable difference in their local communities and the world,” said Coors. “Having this effort recognized by some of Colorado’s top business leaders is a great honor for all of us.”

Ann Trujillo, co-anchor of the KMGH Channel 7 News Team, emceed the event and pointed out several achievements as Coors approached the stage, including the company’s sales increase of 57%, labor efficiency increase of 19%, and waste reduction of 30% over the past three years. She also pointed out the company’s contributions to The Children’s Museum of Denver and the American Heart Association, as well as the money it raised for relief efforts during the Hurricane Katrina disaster.