US-based printing solutions giant Lexmark has reiterated its long-term commitment to its operations in Cebu City with the construction of two buildings at the Cebu Business Park.

Lexmark Research and Development Corp. chief executive officer Stan Combs said they are laying the groundwork so their Cebu facility can accommodate the entire development cycle of the company’s printing line from conceptualization to production.

“The building serves as a long-term commitment in Cebu unlike leasing spaces when you can just pack up and leave,” Combs told reporters. “We can also design the building according to our specifications, which is very important to us… With these facilities we would be able to develop a product in Cebu from start to finish.”

Lexmark Plaza 2 is a seven-floor state-of-the-art laboratory complex that houses Lexmark’s research and development facilities, making one of the most advanced technology centers in the world.

The building also houses an electromagnetic chamber—the first in the Philippines—which would measure electromagnetic waves emitted by Lexmark printers and make sure they abide by international standards.

Lexmark Plaza 2 also houses an acoustics chamber, to test printer noise levels, and a physical packaging room to test Lexmark printers before they go to production and delivery.

A 24-floor building besides the lab complex will house the offices of Lexmark’s research teams and support staff. It is set for completion by the end of 2007.

Lexmark hardware development manager Chris Burdette said the company’s long-term plan is for its base in Lexington, Kentucky to focus on developing new technology and for its Cebu unit to work on derivative technology—improving on existing technology.

Burdette said Lexmark prides itself in developing technology which could produce a new product in response to market needs faster than competition.

The company decided to settle in Cebu because of the Philippines’ strategic location in Asia, being at the center of major markets like China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

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US-based printing solutions giant Lexmark has reiterated its long-term commitment to its operations in Cebu City with the construction of two buildings at the Cebu Business Park.

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