BOBST establishes R&D and manufacturing operations in South Korea

SOUTH KOREA – BOBST, a global leader in packaging machinery and services, has announced opening a new research and development (R&D) and manufacturing facility in Busan, South Korea.

This strategic move will enhance the company’s global footprint and strengthen its ability to serve customers in the Asia-Pacific region.

The new facility will primarily focus on producing machines for the corrugated board industry, including BOBST’s NOVAFFG and VISIONFFG models. It will also reintroduce the JUMBO for large-scale applications.

The site’s location near the existing power grid will help the company respond to growing regional and global demand.

BOBST CEO Jean-Pascal Bobst emphasized the importance of the new facility for the company’s growth strategy, stating, “At BOBST, we pride ourselves on providing the best possible customer experience, and proximity to our customers is key.

“This new site in South Korea is a major milestone and reinforces our commitment to serve the Asia-Pacific market.”

The Busan facility will boost BOBST’s operations, offering optimized services to local and international customers. It is part of BOBST’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in high-growth regions and further its leadership in packaging innovation.

Key BOBST executives attended the inauguration ceremony, including CEO Jean-Pascal Bobst, business unit head Alain Berger, and post-merger integration manager Maxime Bobst.

Their presence highlighted the significance of the investment, which aligns with the broader expansion trend in South Korea’s industrial landscape.

In parallel with BOBST’s investment, South Korea is witnessing significant industrial growth, particularly in high-tech sectors.

ASM International N.V. recently announced plans to invest approximately US$100 million by 2025 to expand its manufacturing and innovation center in Dongtan.

This development will strengthen Korea’s position as a global leader in semiconductor technology, with ASM playing a key role in advancing next-generation logic and memory devices.

South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Lee Chang-yang, expressed his optimism about these investments, noting that such expansions would secure a stable semiconductor supply chain and increase exports.

BOBST’s new Busan facility is a significant step forward in the company’s growth trajectory, positioning it as a key player in the packaging machinery sector in the Asia-Pacific region.

Alongside other major investments in South Korea, the country is poised to become a hub for advanced manufacturing and technological innovation.

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