Chinese Firm Takes Stake in Partner Interlink

Interlink Electronics in Camarillo has announced a $2.25-million equity investment by a group led by WKK, one of Interlink’s manufacturing partners.

The investment was structured as a private placement of unregistered Interlink common stock. The shares cannot be resold for at least one year.

“Our investment in Interlink Electronics demonstrates our commitment to support both Interlink’s growth as well as our own,” said WKK Chairman Senta Wong.

E. Michael Thoben, chairman, president and CEO of Interlink, said it is vital for his company to develop overseas manufacturing capabilities. WKK is based in China.

Interlink develops and manufactures computer pointing devices and technologies. The company’s products include hand-held remote controls, touch pads and pointing sticks and desktop PC pointing devices. It has offices in Camarillo and Tokyo.

WKK, Wong’s Kong King International Ltd., has been listed on the Hong Kong exchange since 1989. Sales in 1996 were approximately $320 million.

The company is one of the largest electronics manufacturing services providers in China and is a major distributor of components, material and equipment for the electronics industry in the Pacific region.