Motion control specialist PI (Physik Instrumente) and piezo ceramics specialist PI Ceramic are planning to invest approximately $13 million for the third extension of their piezo ceramics factory and R&D center in Thuringia over the next three years.  At the ground breaking ceremony Dr. Karl Spanner, CEO of Physik Instrumente, mentioned that even after adding 50 employees in 2010 at PI Ceramic, the company was getting close to its output capacity. Since PI Ceramic owns enough land for an expansion, it was an easy decision was easy to move forward with the additional building.  For 2011 the company is expected to hire another 20 to 30 people to keep up with the global demand for its high quality piezo ceramic components and subassemblies.