Touch International Expands Asian Precision Glass Facility

AUSTIN, TX -- 07/13/09 -- Touch International, a leading touch screen manufacturer headquartered in Austin, Texas, announced today the expansion of its Asian Precision Glass (APG) facility in Shanghai, China. APG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Touch International, Inc., is a manufacturer of specialized glass layers and "line-less" projected capacitive touch screens for a variety of Original Design Manufacturers (ODM).

APG specializes in producing complete glass fabrication for most lens and filter applications with a broad range of treatments, including chemical and heat tempered glass, complex cuts, such as holes and slots, decoration, LCD heaters and IR/EMI/colored filters. And with the expansion, APG has been able to increase its capabilities to include internal glass laser etching and liquid anti-reflective coatings.

"With the introduction of specialized optical coatings, APG is able to provide substrates that are seamless to the naked eye. The goal ultimately is to provide the touch user an interface that will not degrade or interfere with the optics of the application allowing for an enhanced user experience," said Grieg Spidle, President of Touch International's US Division.

APG's specialized glass complements projected capacitive touch technology because, unlike older technologies, these products often have a glass overlay with attributes, such as holes for microphones, dichroic filters for cameras, strengthening to reduce breakage and resurface color decoration, etc.

"The iPhone and iPod touch have set a new standard for touch screen performance, but there is pressure for lower costs and added complexity, which APG is meeting," explained Jeffery Kurtz, Shanghai Production Control Manager. "APG has added space, as well as tripling its automated equipment to meet demand."

About Touch International

Touch International, headquartered in Austin, Texas, was founded in 2002 by Michael Woolstrum and long-time veteran, Gary Barrett, the company's CTO. TI has become a world leader in touch screen and EMI filter technology. The company, with its partner DMC, Co. Ltd. in Osaka, Japan, operates eight manufacturing facilities worldwide with 1,200 employees. TI's China factories manufacture Apple iPhone-type projected capacitive touch screens, resistive sensors and glass filter products used in touch screens, EMI, anti-reflective or anti-vandal filters.