Swindon innovator Plessey is to distribute its pioneering lighting technology in the UK and Ireland as it looks to maximise its potential. The hi-tech firm, which has its roots in Swindon’s micro-electronics industry and still has a base in the town, is developing lighting products using gallium-nitride-on-silicon (GaN-on-Si) technology. The agreement with electronics distributor...
Growth among West of England manufacturers has eased to more moderate and sustainable long-term levels, according to a new survey published – but exports are being hit by a combination of weakness in the eurozone and sterling’s strength. The latest quarterly Manufacturing Outlook survey from EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, and accountants BDO shows a...
Some of the Swindon area’s most innovative small firms are sharing hundreds of thousands of pounds of funding to create new jobs and help them reach their business potential. The money comes from the third tranche of the £750,000 Gateway for Growth programme, which has been co-ordinated by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise...
Part of Swindon’s proud industrial heritage has been given a new lease of life by the town’s soon-to-open University Technical College (UTC). The iconic water tower, which forms part of the UTC’s historic Bristol Street site on the edge of the Railway Village, has been newly restored ahead of the opening of the college...
An innovative inhaler for patients with asthma developed by Chippenham-based specialist drug firm Vectura has secured its first approval in Latin America. The green light from Mexico’s Health Authority follows similar go-aheads in four European countries and South Korea for the AirFluSal Forspiro device, pictured, which can also be used to treat chronic obstructive...
The Swindon-based Technology Strategy Board, the Government body that aims to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation, has changed its name to Innovate UK The organisation, based at North Star, started to use the new branding this month and will continue to change its signage, printed material and events and conference...
West firms will be able to learn about commercial opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies when the British Ambassador to South Korea visits the region next week. Scott Wightman will be joined by CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea, David Lee, at the free event staged by UK Trade...
Cricklade-based specialist packaging company GWP has donated 200 specially-designed boxes to Swindon Foodbank to improve the way the charity handles its growing number of collections. Donations are typically received by the foodbank in re-used cardboard boxes and carrier bags. The logistics of handling them can be time-consuming – boxes are often flimsy and overfilled...
BGF, the business growth fund set up to help the UK’s growing smaller and medium-sized firms, has appointed Sarah Ledwidge as an investment manager for Wiltshire, the Thames Valley and Hampshire. Sarah, pictured, will be responsible for identifying investable businesses and working with them to achieve their growth plans. Her appointment brings BGF’s Bristol-based...
Swindon-based Synergy Health is investing £18m to make it the world’s largest operator of sterilisation plants for the international healthcare industry. The firm, which provides outsourced services ranging from hospital laundry to sterilising sophisticated medical devices, is to spend the money upgrading and expanding the global network of plants making up its Applied Sterilisation...
