Tablet maker Bak USA celebrates grand opening in Buffalo; part of Start-Up NY program

A manufacturer of low-cost electronic tablets is up and running in Buffalo.

Bak USA held a grand opening of its world headquarters in Buffalo Thursday. The site inside the former Sheehan Memorial Hospital includes office and manufacturing space.

Bak founders Ulla and JP Bak say they've hired and trained the first class of operators and assembled the first 500 tablets. The Baks say their goal is to create at least 100 well-paying jobs, and to produce affordable tablets to be marketed primarily to Third World countries for education.

The company is part of the Start-Up New York program, which allows new businesses that work with state universities and colleges to operate tax-free for 10 years.