Torbay Hi-Tech Forum

The Torbay Hi-Tech Forum originally started life as the Torbay Electronics Forum in Autumn 2010. In January 2011 the members moved to change to the Hi-Tech Forum to encompass more of the leading edge businesses in Torbay and the wider South Devon area where technology is a key driver.

Advanced manufacturing, electronics, photonics, GPS, fibre optics, RF & wireless manufacturing, renewables, tooling & multi shot injection moulding, environmental marine research are sectors already represented amongst the membership. These combined sector voices represent the interests of just under 600 local employees.

Torbay Hi Tech Forum member companies include:

Alpha Contract Engineering 

Alpha Contract Engineering are a specialist microelectronics and photonics company formed in 2007.

Our highly skilled and experienced Engineers are able to provide manufacturing, design and consultancy services for bespoke solutions.

We welcome any challenge as an opportunity and can provide cost effective assembly work including die bonding, wirebonding and packaging with a very fast turnaround being our speciality.

We can provide Prototyping/Lab scale assembly as well as some larger volume capability utilising our Eutectic Die bonding, Gold (Au) wirebonding, Aluminium (Al) wirebonding, Hermetic Sealing, Optical Alignment and Test capability.

Astra Zeneca Brixham Environmental Laboratory 

Brixham Environmental Laboratory, located in Brixham, Torbay, is a leading industrial environmental science facility with a worldwide reputation.

We offer laboratory based assessment of the environmental effects, ecotoxicity and environmental fate of new and existing substances.

Our innovative and intelligent approaches to testing and state-of-the art, GLP compliant facilities, enable us to deliver solution driven science to meet our customers’ needs.

Elektron Technology 

Elektron Technology is home to 15 world-class brands in fast-moving engineered products (FMEP). Each is focused on a specific area of development that is of fundamental importance to our customers. The resulting innovations and products offer the right levels of high-availability precision at the right price for demanding environments. Torquay is the manufacturing centre to the Instrumentation division of this business, manufacturing test and inspection equipment for a broad range of industries

Eltek Semiconductors 

Founded in 1981, Eltek Semiconductors Ltd has proudly supported the microelectronics industry with products and service of the highest standard.

Our facilities in the South West of England and France supply certified and qualified components to the aerospace and defence, industrial, communication and automotive markets.

Eltek's core skills are in procuring and processing semiconductor components in wafer, die and packaged form. These allow us to solve many customer sourcing problems and add value to their own marketing and manufacturing processes.

Gooch & Housego 

Gooch & Housego has been supplying high quality fibre optic components and optical modules into a variety of market sectors 1985. The core technology used for our ‘passive’ components is fused biconical tapering and the current product portfolio includes tap couplers, wavelength combiners/splitters, polarization maintaining couplers, monolithic 1x3s and 1x4s, as well as a multimode power combiners used in high power fibre lasers.

We also specialise in the custom packaging of semiconductor devices for a variety of applications and our clean room facility includes equipment for die attach, wire bonding as well as hermetic sealing and testing (fine and gross leak).

G&H’s custom modules are assemblies of passive and/or active optical components designed to provide added functionality. An in-depth understanding of optical component performance, combined with the use of low loss G&H components, ensures the highest possible specifications. Our module design and manufacture capability enable you to stay focused on your core competence, whilst reducing time to market and development costs.

Horizon Centre 

The Horizon Centre, based at Torbay Hospital, was designed to provide an environment for innovation, education and research in healthcare.

Each of the disciplines is working in an increasingly joined up way to support the delivery of high quality, integrated healthcare. The centre has state of the art AV technology and is designed to support simulation, both for training and improvement purposes.

The team are keen to work with external partners and can run bespoke programmes and provide advice on innovation and application of new technologies and processes in healthcare. For further information, contact the Trust Innovation Practitioner Darren Woodall.

Hymid Multi-Shot 

Hymid Multi-Shot specialise in Single and Two Shot plastic Injection Moulding, supported by UK and overseas mould tool manufacture. Serving Medical and Electronics sectors.

SolidWorks CAD design and detailed design-for-manufacture analysis - all to ISO 9001:2008 quality standards, with UK guarantee.

Kier Energy Innovations 

Established in 1979, Beco solar has unrivalled experience in installing solar energy systems in the South West of England. Since being taken over by Kier last November the company has gone from strength to strength especially in the social housing and new build sectors. We are still committed to the South Devon community, however, as is borne out by our continuing involvement with Transition Town Totnes.

MAS South West 

Launched in 2002, the Manufacturing Advisory Service in the South West (MAS-SW) is designed to help small to medium-sized manufacturers to grow their business, develop new products, introduce new and streamlined processes and continually adapt to ever changing market needs. Since our launch we have worked with thousands of companies in the region, stimulating growth, sharing knowledge and improving productivity. We are committed to assisting manufacturers to compete more effectively in a tough global economy.

MAS-SW’s team of experienced specialists offer hands-on support and impartial, practical advice. With an in depth knowledge of shop floor working and business management skills, we work directly with businesses to identify improvement opportunities and deliver sustainable change.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is one of the Government's Solutions for Business suite of offerings, funded by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Oclaro 

Oclaro, based in Paignton Devon, with headquarters in San Jose California, is a Tier 1 provider of innovative optical and laser components and solutions for a broad range of diverse markets, including telecommunications, industrial, consumer electronics, medical and scientific applications. The company is on a mission to be a predominant force in the optical industry, and has been making bold moves to establish a leadership position in each of the markets it serves, expand its addressable market, and increase its share of existing markets.

Early in 2009 Oclaro was created through the combination of Bookham and Avanex, establishing Oclaro as a Tier 1 supplier of optical components, modules and sub-systems to all of the leading long-haul/metro telecommunications companies and also select high growth markets beyond telecommunications including industrial, medical and scientific.

OpTek Systems 

OpTek Systems is a global provider of laser processing equipment and manufacturing services for the fiber optic and micromachining markets. Formed in 2000, OpTek has manufacturing facilities in the US and the UK, and sales offices in the UK(SW), North America, Europe, and Asia.

OpTek has an impressive track record of both developing new or novel laser processes and of transitioning these into robust and cost effective production line solutions, incorporating automated part handling and integrated inspection.

Typical processes include cutting, drilling, scribing and welding, which are routinely applied in the production in microelectronics, photovoltaics, telecom, datacom, biomedical, sensing, fiber laser manufacture, medical device manufacture, biotechnology, photonics and precision engineering.

Plymouth University 

Plymouth University is one of the UK's most prominent and dynamic universities with an educational history dating back to 1862.

Consistently ranked as one of the top three modern universities, it has a long record of high quality innovative research as demonstrated by its achievements in the RAE where 80% of the research was judged as being of international repute.

Plymouth University has a reputation for business engagement and facilitates access to its expertise, services and facilities through its Enterprise Solutions service.

Rydon Technologies Ltd 

Rydon Technology Ltd was founded in 1986 specialising in the supply of equipment and materials for the semiconductor, photonics and electronic component manufacturing industries in Europe.

Our Technical Consultants together combine more than fifty years experience within manufacturing and sales in the semiconductor and electronic components manufacturing industry.

The major products represented and supported by Rydon Technology are: SM Packaging Materials, Semiconductor Component Molding and Singulation, Leadframes Etched/Stamped, Precision Tooling, RFID Converting, Total Equipment Outsourcing Solutions, System Automation, Saw Blades-Backgrind Wheels and Abrasive Products.

Select Group 

Established in 1988, The Select Group develops unique and innovative new products, mainly within the construction sectors, and then takes them from concept to customer.

The business was established by Managing Director Alan Archer originally as a consultancy assisting US manufacturers in the Plumbing & HVAC industries to enter the expanding European Economic Community. By the early 1990s Select Products International (SPI) had evolved into the company’s physical production and distribution arm.

The next decade saw the business expand with the creation of 3 new businesses: Select Solutions - Developing new ideas from concept to commercialisation; Select Facilities - Providing logistics, satellite warehousing services and commercial storage for business, then and online division Trade Counter Direct.com – (tcd) delivering tools and accessories straight to the end user via Internet and iPhones.

South Devon College 

South Devon College is recognised nationally as one of the best learning environments in the country. Based at Long Road, Paignton, the facilities are among the most modern and outstanding of their kind. The College continues to make national headlines and more recently accolades and awards have included; the Training Quality Standard-for our strategic approach to working with employers, the STEM Assured Award–for ensuring training meeting the needs of employers and sectors and the Matrix Award-for providing excellent career and training advice and guidance.

The college continues to go from strength to strength and it remains highly committed to the challenge of providing ‘Outstanding STEM training’ in a rapidly developing and technologically advancing world.

Spirent Communications 

At Spirent Communications we work behind the scenes to help the world communicate and collaborate faster, better and more often. The world’s leading communications companies rely on Spirent to help design, develop and deliver world-class network, devices and services. Spirent’s lab test solutions are used to evaluate performance of the latest technologies.

As new communication services and applications are introduced in the market, Spirent provides tools for service management and field test to improve troubleshooting and quality. Spirent also enables enterprises, institutions and government agencies to secure and manage their networks.

From wireline to wireless to satellite, Spirent offers a complete portfolio of solutions to enhance customer Quality of Experience.

Syntech Technologies 

Syntech Technologies is one of the most experienced Contract Electronic Manufacturers in the UK, specialising in RF, Wireless, and digital electronic and test.

No other subcontractor has such high levels of RF and wireless expertise coupled with extensive engineering resource. It is the blend of engineering expertise, prototype and volume production capability that has established Syntech as a market leader.

University of Exeter 

Exeter is a top UK university which combines world leading research with very high levels of student satisfaction. It is one of the UK’s most popular and successful universities with campuses in Exeter, Devon, and near Falmouth in Cornwall. The University also has Project Offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Bangalore.

Exeter is ranked 10th out of more than 100 UK universities in the Times league table. It was the 2007/08 Times Higher Education University of the Year.

Under the leadership of Professor Steve Smith, appointed Vice-Chancellor in 2002, the University has invested heavily in new academic appointments and facilities.

Torbay Hi-Tech Forum partner organisations include

So if you are a Torbay or wider South Devon based business in the hi-tech sector who is interested in joining the Torbay Hi-Tech Forum please call Jason Buck on 01803 208799 or email jason.buck@tedcltd.com.

Torbay Hi-Tech Forum