Data I/O Corporation announced this last week the establishment of a Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprise (WOFE) in China. The WOFE provides Data I/O with business incorporation in Shanghai and allows the company to provide manual and automated device programming systems to its clients.

Headquartered in the Shanghai Stock Exchange Building in Shanghai, P.R. China, this is the third Data I/O office in China, adding to offices in Hong Kong and Shenzen.

"The geographic center of the world electronics industry is now located in Asia, and particularly in China," stated Fred Hume, President and CEO of Data I/O Corporation. "We see many opportunities for growth in China, and we want to be close to our customers. We are the only North American manufacturer of device programmers to have incorporated and obtained a business license in China. Although a significant investment, the WOFE is well worth it in that it allows us to operate and provide products and services in the same environment as our multinational customers. Our intent is to participate fully in this marketplace, and that can only be done by establishing a meaningful presence in country."