Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd., the world's third-largest optical pickup manufacturer, announced plans on May 27 to invest 150 billion won into its optical pickup business through 2007 in hopes of emerging as the global leader.

The Korean firm hopes to see its sales quadruple in five years.

An optical pickup is a device to read and store information of CD discs and DVDs with a laser beam.

Samsung said it started its optical business in 1997, and has posted annual growth of 50 percent in sales to record 250 billion won worth sales in 2001. (1250 won = US$1)