While PR includes link building, it is very much more in that it puts information people want to read in the places where they want to read it. Engineers/buyers do not want to read every manufacturers’ website for information on new products or applications – they simply want basic information in the journals/ezines that cover their industry interests – then if they need more info they will go to a manufacturer’s site. This is where the SEO part kicks in in ensuring that enquirers get the right information in their searches and can navigate easily when they get to your site.
See here how online activities can develop SEO.