TORBAY & THE SOUTH WEST

PHOTONICS AND Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster Headquartered at: MICROELECTRONICS EPIC Whiterock Business Park , , TQ4 7RZ, UK A FAST GROWING - GLOBAL CLUSTER Tel: +44 (0)1803 714 714 Email: [email protected] www.epic-centre.co.uk CONTENTS

BACKGROUND 7The legacy and history over the decades of microelectronics and photonics in our region.

CAPABILITY & TECHNOLOGY 11Learn about the deep expertise and technical capability that exists in our area in many technologies, enabling new product design and development.

THE EPIC CENTRE 15Provides your company with a turn-key premises solution with access to prototyping capability, microscopy & analysis and a Class 7 cleanroom. The home of the Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster.

TORBAY HI-TECH CLUSTER 19An overview of the leading industry group in photonics and microelectronics in the Heart of the South West.

CASE STUDIES 22See how our leading multinational photonics and microelectronics companies have invested and grown here.

WHY RELOCATE? 25Useful information about support and finance available to establish and grow a technology business in the Heart of the South West.

CONNECTIVITY 27Useful information demonstrating easy connectivity across the UK, Europe and beyond.

3 4 FOREWORD The companies differ in size and Digital Centre at College. maturity, and the EPIC centre is Through Anthony Mangnall MP we becoming known nationwide as an are now represented at the All Party important photonics and micro- Parliamentary Group for Photonics & Torbay and the electronics hub. The centre has Quantum to help us in setting out the surrounding region offers now become the home of Torbay wider growth needs of our sector. a wealth of collaboration Hi-Tech Cluster ensuring that we have the finger on the pulse of latest We have developed a new photonics opportunities for developments within our community. & microelectronics technician training programme with businesses in the The opening of the EPIC centre has and a new sector skills co-ordinator ensured that the hi-tech industry in microelectronics and role is currently being recruited to lead the region has a world class facility the development of the programme of photonics sectors. As that demonstrates the intent of training. Chair of the Cluster, my stakeholders to further invest in the aim is to ensure that hi-tech industry, with well facilitated HotSW LEP has a special designation laboratory and office space as well as a High Potential Opportunity the area is renowned as cleanrooms for semiconductor location for Photonics. To further for technology and fabrication processes. promote this opportunity to prospective inward investors a new Our cluster has continued to move A message innovation. film is being created. forward, and this year continues to from our Chair see considerable growth. We have As a cluster we are excited at the The year 2020 has demonstrated The hi-tech sector has demonstrated welcomed two new foreign-owned prospect of building on these activities the strength and value of our hi- a resilience to the terrible economic companies from Spain and the US to place ourselves at the forefront tech cluster companies to our local impact of Covid-19 that many of and continue to see existing cluster of the photonics & microelectronics and national economy. Not only has our colleagues have suffered in the members, both UK and foreign owned, community. continue to grow and create high value our sector been able to weather the tourism and hospitality sectors on We welcome you to come and join us employment and opportunities for storm of unforeseen calamity, but which the South West economy is very on our journey. recent events have demonstrated dependent. Of course, jobs in the hi- younger people. Dr Andrew Robertson the essential necessity for both tech sector are also unaffected by the These two new companies have also Bay Photonics and high capacity and highly reliable weather, offer year round employment made applications along with an Chair, Torbay Hi Tech Forum communications infrastructure to and are not subject to quotas, making existing cluster member company keep our education system, health them more critical to local coastal to the Heart of the South West Local system and economy running. Several economy and the wider region. Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) companies in the wider region focus One year after its opening, the soft landing programme to support on the development and manufacture Electronics & Photonics Innovation their further growth and expansion of components and systems critical to Centre (EPIC) is home to a vibrant plans. We have also been successful our high capacity telecommunications community of varied companies, in securing Getting Building Fund network. covering electronics, photonics, through the HotSW LEP for additional software and instrumentation. equipment at EPIC and the Hi Tech &

5 6 BACKGROUND Torbay and South Devon has a rich The future requirements for cloud- such as the newly opened Hi-Tech and heritage in the microelectronics sector. based computing, the Internet of Digital Centre. The College works with The region has seen continued growth Things, and autonomous vehicles means local hi-tech companies and introduces and development which makes it a that telecommunications will continue apprenticeship schemes tailored to the lucrative hub for technology businesses. to grow. The amount of data required sector. This collaboration has been key to ensure safe, error-free navigation to in retaining exceptional young talent in Standard Telephones & Cables (STC) allow use of autonomous vehicles on our the area. moved into the Long Road, Paignton site highways will require constant advances On an adjacent site, the Electronics & in the mid-1950s. Always at the leading- in technology. edge of communications technology, Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) the company, by 1999 in its NORTEL The old STC Long Road site is now was opened in 2019. This facility offers the location of South Devon College, businesses access to a classified form, employed over 5,000 people. where today’s breed of innovators are cleanroom and state-of-the-art The company was a key global hub being trained in fantastic new facilities prototyping capability. during the dot.com revolution brought about by a critical advance in photonics, namely, the change from using copper cables for communication to optical fibre technology. Today, this technology forms the backbone of the information superhighway that drives the internet, enables fast video streaming and makes 2013 II-VI purchases a sure all our smart device apps work 24/7. division of Oclaro to establish a II-VI 2019 £8M Electronics and presence in Paignton. Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) opens 1991 2001 and becomes the SIFAM1985 sets up in STC acquires Nortel, Major redundancies home of the Torbay to develop instruments which later changes announced at Nortel Hi-Tech Cluster. and fused fibre couplers. its name to Nortel Networks. Bookham 2014 They later became Networks. The Technologies acquires EFFECT Photonics known as JDS Uniphase business employed Optical Component Ltd establishes in and to this day Gooch & . 2020 Housego. over 5000 staff in its division of Nortel and EFFECT, Nanusens heyday. later merges with 2019 and Trusolis become Avanex Corp, forming Prior Scientific first three foreign Oclaro. relocates Queensgate owned companies to into EPIC becoming STC1986 sells its Tantalum join EPIC. founding tenant. division to AVX and 2018 1950s become the Corporate 1997 Lumentum acquires Standard Telephones HQ for Tantalum Nortel sells their STC Oclaro. and Cables (STC) opens 2021 Capacitors. Defence Systems Torbay Hi-Tech three divisions in their 2007 division to Bowthorpe Alpha Contract Cluster develop and facility in Paignton. 1977 Products included: Sir Charles Kao, UK, later becoming Engineering formed. 2019 2019 launch first Photonics Electron Devices, employee of STC, 1989 GSS. The business The business would South Devon Hi-Tech Palomar Technologies & Microelectronics Capacitors and creates ground- AVX & Kyocera is today known as later become Bay & Digital Centre opens UK demo technician training Film Circuits. breaking fibre optic link. merge. Spirent. Photonics. opens. facility in EPIC. programme.

7 8 VALUE OF PHOTONICS & MICROELECTRONICS SECTOR UNITED KINGDOM THE SOUTH WEST The Photonics and Microelectronics cluster in the South West continues to grow quickly with investment in jobs, new product development, premises and facilities. £13.5bn industry value to the UK economy 250 companies

69,000 4,400 people employed in the people employed UK across the sector in the South West £5.3bn Total Gross Value Added (GVA) £690m total turnover £76,400 GVA per employee 4% (vs UK manufacturing average of £67,000) year on year growth 1 8.4% Photonics & like for like growth Microelectronics over 2 years (4.1 CAGR) training programme

9 10 CAPABILITIES TECHNOLOGIES Advanced photonic materials Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Quantum technology and packaging technologies including Indium design, including high-speed tunable expertise is finding applications in Phosphide (InP), Gallium Arsenide lasers, optical modulators, hi- secure communications, high sensitivity (GaAs) and Complementary metal– sensitivity optical receivers, optical measurement methods including LIDAR oxide–semiconductor (CMOS), for routing multiplexers, waveguides (Light Detection and Ranging). As well Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) and and add-drop filters, enabling the as enabling enhanced computing power Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems design and manufacture of highly in navigation and timing systems, and (MEMS) realisation. integrated, high reliability Pluggable healthcare imaging. Photonic Transceivers for emerging Advanced Complementary Metal– The advanced implementation of and next-generation optical networks. Oxide–Semiconductor (CMOS) micro-electronic integrated circuit Utilising lean hi-productivity photonic materials technologies for micro- die bonding and assembly processes manufacturing capabilities for mass electronic Integrated Circuit (IC) and realises highly integrated multi-chip manufacture and global supply. Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems multi-functional systems with reduced (MEMS) realisation. Nano-positioning Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems physical size. These advanced processes technologies with nano-meter (MEMS) technologies realising are enablers in the realisation of high resolutions and accuracies, including the amalgamation of microscopic reliability, physically robust next- piezoelectric actuators for nano- mechanical devices with moving generation of portable communications positioning sensing and actuation. parts and micro-electronic circuits. devices including smart phones and GPS MEMS design combined with MEMS locations and positioning systems for Quantum Technologies, including engineering and manufacturing terrestrial and space applications. Assembly and Packaging for secure expertise realise micro-scaled systems As society moves towards data sharing communications, computational and which are now standard features in positioning solutions. and cloud storage, the requirements for modern consumer mobile devices. advanced security applications including Die Attach Technologies, including MEMS accelerometers and gyros are hardware authentication, data loss electronic integrated circuits and combined with absolute positioning prevention, user behaviour analytics MEMS integrated circuit die attach, technologies, such as GNSS for user becomes necessary to protect personal die bonders, thermo-sonic gold localisation and positioning, face and corporate information. wire, epoxy and soft solder bonding recognition, and communications. Space and satellite instrumentation processes. Manufacturers of precision nano- design and manufacture requires Advanced Security Technologies, scale motion, automation, and the realisation of hi-reliability, robust including hardware authentication, optical measurement systems, sub- components and systems for Earth use behaviour analytics, data loss systems, and components, including environment observation, astronomical prevention, deep learning and cloud- microscope automation equipment with exploration and inter-satellite based storage. high precision motorized microscope communications in extreme operational stages. Piezo nano-positioning systems, environments. Space Communications motorised filter wheels, high-speed Technologies, including free shutters, laser autofocus systems, space photonic inter-satellite custom and OEM electromechanical and communications and sensing. optical systems, for nano-metric micro- chip inspection and surface analysis.

11 12 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Research and Development (R&D) includes activities that companies undertake to innovate and introduce new products and UNIVERSITY services. It is often the first stage Exeter University offers a number in the development process. R&D is of relevant photonics graduate therefore pertinent to businesses in courses as well as PhD courses microelectronics and photonics. The through the internationally Torbay and the South West region renowned Centre for Doctoral is rife with technical capabilities, Training (CDT) in metamaterials. expertise and a vibrant supply chain to support R&D. The cluster is involved with projects and collaboration with academia and national research centres from UNIVERSITY up and down the country. In fact, Plymouth University’s School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics many of the region’s businesses offers photonics and microelectronic related courses. The Electron benefit from the breadth of talent that comes from two excellent Microscopy Centre ensures students have access to expert and specialist universities in Exeter and Plymouth. support in the area of electron microscopy. These facilities enable SME’s in the region to offer post graduate positions and internships, hire new staff, generating a much needed stimulus to the local economy. 13 14 EPIC Electronics & Photonics Innovation Centre WHAT’S ON OFFER ABOUT EPIC The centre has modern offices and EPIC is the technology hub of the laboratories to let. The flexibility of South West. The centre offers EPIC enables businesses to start small modern facilities to businesses and then grow into larger or multiple in the electronics sector. With units. 25,000 sq. ft. of lettable space, EPIC provides an array of flexible EPIC offers tenants access to a fully space to both small and growth classified Cleanroom and a wide businesses. It is therefore the variety of shared spaces including ideal location to locate or relocate boardrooms and other conference a technology business. facilities. The concept of EPIC is therefore for businesses to let the space they need but to fully utilise the services of the wider centre to improve the offer to their staff and customers.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY EPIC tenants have access to >£1.5M worth of prototyping equipment to increase their technical capability. This provides access to technology that smaller businesses wouldn’t have ordinarily been able to purchase (or justify) in their own right.

Current capabilities include: • Die, Wire, Ball Bonding • Bond Testing • Automated Visual Measuring (VMS) • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) • Plasma Cleaning • Environmental Simulation • Product Storage • Photonics Packaging • Alignment • Design Software

15 16 THE HI TECH & DIGITAL CENTRE OTHER FACILITIES PARC EXETER SCIENCE PARK Located in for nearly 20 Exeter Science Park is the result of a years, PARC Ltd has provided a range vision to develop a science park in the of environmental testing services to South West of the UK to stimulate a assess a product’s reliability, and to knowledge-based economy delivering ensure that the product survives in its better jobs, higher productivity and working environment. economic growth.

A FACILITY FOR THE TECHNICIAN TRAINING FUTURE Technical Training packages are Adjacent to EPIC lies another technical skills-based programmes important asset for the local hi-tech that provide a training route for cluster. The Hi Tech & Digital Centre adults and young people, including Apprentices, by developing a clear and is strategically located next to South purposeful route, as well as Continuing Devon College and offers training Professional Development (CPD) facilities that will produce the skills for those employed or returning to needed to support future growth of employment the cluster. The inside of the building fulfils the vision of the minds behind it, In conjunction with employer focus with many large and open collaborative groups such as the Torbay Hi-Tech spaces that will encourage interaction Cluster, EPIC and TDA, South Devon across different subject areas. College develops sector specific training solutions to meet the demanding needs A range of subjects are offered of growth sectors. Additionally, this from essential entry skills to higher training is developed to support wider level skills across apprenticeships efforts around promoting inclusive (level 3 & 4), degree level course growth and community wealth building. (level 6) and employer responsive The Photonics, Optics and training packages. Training offers Microelectronics technician training is and packages are developed from Hi a co-designed, high quality technical PLYMOUTH MICROSCOPY CENTRE Tech and Digital subjects including; and professional suite of courses This facility offers a comprehensive range of light microscopes, electron engineering, marine engineering aimed at meeting the current local and microscopes, imaging processing and analysis software, providing support to a and manufacturing, computing, regional needs, supporting the sector range of disciplines within Plymouth University, external research organisations art, interactive and graphic design to capitalise on growth opportunities. and industry clients. illustration, film and photography, app Furthermore, this training ensures and games development, leadership the correct knowledge and skills are This equipment is integrated with sophisticated software for image analysis, image and project management law and developed within the current and future processing and x-ray characterisation of materials, with facilities for rapid report business. workforce. generation. 17 18 Torbay is an internationally recognised region for R&D, product design and manufacturing in hi-tech photonics & micro-electronics. It has world-leading companies, The South West, particularly Torbay, has for highly motivated and experienced employees and decades been a location of expertise in the excellent access to markets. development of robust and resilient components for telecommunications and consumer electronics. Driven by the internet of things and our demand for high speed connectivity, the global demand is huge. The future growth prospects of the South West photonics and microelectronics industry are immense and vital for growing the UK communications supply chain. Dr John Lincoln CEO, UK PLG

PUTTING TORBAY ON THE MAP Global leaders in technology like Lumentum, Gooch & Housego, Spirent, Queensgate (Prior Scientific), Effect Photonics and II–VI Photonics are all located in Torbay. These companies are committed to major ongoing investment in the region. Alongside these are other specialised companies in photonics integrated circuits (PIC) packaging such as Bay Photonics, as well as providers of software & firmware. This has cemented our reputation as one of the UK’s most vibrant microelectronics CLUSTER OBJECTIVES: and photonics clusters. With headquarters at EPIC, the The group has clear objectives that are Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster is very active regularly review. These include: as an organisation promoting and • Raise the profile of the Cluster advocating Torbay companies and regional expertise. It is leading • Support the growth of our in pursuing opportunities for businesses There are multiple world leading microelectronics collaboration, innovation and • Encourage inward investment investment. The Cluster is also a proud • Attract new businesses to the area and photonics organisations operating within our member of the European Photonics vibrant cluster. Industry Consortium, the industry • Identify collaborative ways association promoting the sustainable of working Dr Philip Mitchell development of organisations working • Drive joint funding bids (Lumentum) Vice Chair, Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster in the field of photonics across Europe. 19 20 CLUSTER MEMBERS CASE STUDIES

G&H Torquay has a successful track record of regularly introducing new products and recently won the Queen’s award for Enterprise in Innovation for their flagship FibreQ product. This technology is used in advanced laser systems for metrology and material processing applications and sold all over the world. The company has been developing and manufacturing hi-tech photonic components in Torquay for over 30 years and is part of the larger Gooch & Housego plc group.

Lumentum is an advanced technology company which delivers innovative photonic technology based products to accelerate the speed and scale of next generation optical telecommunications. Lumentum also focuses on and new evolving advanced technology global market opportunities, including; cloud networking and storage, advanced material manufacturing, 3D sensing, clean renewable energy generation, autonomous automotive vehicle applications, 5G wireless evolution, and Internet of Things (IoT). 21 22 II-VI Lasers’ optoelectronic components enable a broad range of applications. These include high power lasers for materials processing, optical amplifiers for terrestrial and submarine communications, high bit rate transceivers for datacentres, analytical instruments for life sciences and LiDAR for automotive and 3D sensing for consumer electronics.

Queensgate offer a wide range of Bay Photonics specialise in helping nanopositioning products, precision build prototypes that require a flexible positioning devices and automation and technically innovative approach solutions. Queensgate are experts to assembly and test. Having worked in high speed, precision applications at world leading Opto-electronic EFFECT Photonics delivers highly that require single and multi-axis piezo suppliers, their technical team have integrated optical communications stages, tip/tilt stages, piezo actuators vast experience in developing the right products based on its Dense and capacitive positioning sensors, packaging and production solution. Wavelength Division Multiplexing with powerful control electronics. (DWDM) optical System-on-Chip technology. EFFECT Photonics takes a platform approach to integration using high-yielding building blocks within the wafer. 23 24 WHY RELOCATE? INCENTIVES To support your relocation or expansion into our fast growing cluster, there are grants, incentives and commercial loans available for you to consider. INVEST IN TORBAY SOFT LANDINGS This is a grant of up to £10,000 available COMPETITIVE COSTS to foreign owned hi tech SMEs looking Having a base within Torbay enables you to benefit to locate or expand into Torbay and from competitive property & labour costs compared create local jobs. The grant can be used to , the South East & the Midlands. to support investment in premises fit out and purchase of equipment. The hi tech sector in Torbay and South West is known for its capabilities in R & D, design and new product HotSW LEP ERDF INWARD development. The UK has the lowest corporation tax rate in the G20 and also provides up to 230% R&D INVESTMENT SUPPORT tax incentives on profits derived from technology GRANT developed here in the UK. It offers the ideal location A grant of between £25-£150,000 is for companies developing new technology. available to eligible companies which must be match funded. It can be used FAST GROWING for investment in machinery, premises and also to buy services such as IP, INTERNATIONAL digital marketing and IT amongst others. Support is available to newly landed and CLUSTER existing, foreign owned businesses but We have seen multi-million pound investment not to support the costs of relocation. across our cluster including II-VI Lasers, Lumentum, EFFECT Photonics, Bay Photonics, Gooch & TORBAY ECONOMIC Housego and Spirent to name a few. All of these investments support a high proportion of research GROWTH FUND and development, new product design and can support your manufacturing. company expansion into Torbay through We have ambitious plans to grow our cluster, why the Torbay Economic Growth fund. not come and join us? A commercial loan upwards of £250,000 can be offered with competitive rates of interest over an agreed payback term. Security will be required. 25 26 CONNECTIVITY CONTACTS AN EASY ROUTE INTO THE DK DR. ANDREW SOUTH WEST ROBERTSON IE UK NL TORBAY HI-TECH CLUSTER CHAIR DE Andrew will be able to provide further information BE about the cluster group and its objectives. FR LU [email protected]

M5 Swindon Cardiff DR. PHILIP MITCHELL TORBAY HI-TECH CLUSTER VICE CHAIR National Park Philip is a local ambassador for the Torbay Hi-Tech M5 A303 Cluster and is able to to provide technical insights A386 Exeter A303 around the local supply chain. A39 A30 Weymouth [email protected] National Plymouth Park A380 A30 Torbay

Plymouth

A30 JASON BUCK INWARD INVESTMENT MANAGER Jason has over 10 years experience working on DIRECT ACCESS TO GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN expansion and relocation projects for hi tech companies. LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE AND DEPLOYMENT [email protected] Fly to major cities within the UK and SUPPORT Europe via Exeter and Bristol airports. Accessible through six strategically located ports in the South West CONNECTING YOU region. WAYNE TO CUSTOMERS AND LOSCHI EPIC CENTRE DIRECTOR SUPPLIERS BY ROAD… … AND RAIL Travel to London, the Midlands and Wayne can facilitate the move of technology Connecting you to the Midlands in beyond via fast and frequent rail links. businesses into the EPIC Centre and support them 2.5 hours and London in 3.5 hours, with their growth. via the M5. [email protected] 27 28