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Analog Devices wins Transatlantic Growth award
A
nalog Devices has won a 2020 Transatlantic Growth Award from BritishAmerican Business, the trade body which promotes trade between the two countries, in the category of ‘US launch or expansion in the UK’.
The award recognises Analog Devices’ opening in 2019 of a new headquarters building in Hayes, near Heathrow airport, replacing the company’s smaller offices in Weybridge, Surrey and Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The development of the new HQ was a substantial investment by Boston, Massachusetts-based Analog Devices in the UK market.
Analog Devices was one of just five US- based companies to be recognised in the US launch or expansion category. Other winners of Transatlantic Growth Awards in 2020 include ExxonMobil, Kimberly-Clark, Diageo and National Grid.
The location of the new Hayes office is an important signal of Analog Devices’ commitment to the UK. Benefiting from fast links to the centre of London, it brings the company closer to the capital’s workforce, entrepreneurs and technology start-ups, and investment community.
Commenting on winning the Transatlantic Growth Award, Mike Britchfield, Analog Devices’ European vice president of sales, said: ‘Few US
companies in the semiconductor industry have been as established in the UK as long as Analog Devices and the ties between its US home and its UK operation continue to deepen. The opening of a new UK base in 2019, a huge investment by Analog Devices, was made in large part because
Altus introduces a smart board handling solution A B
s manufacturers look towards improving production processes, Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment in the UK and Ireland, is seeing a growing interest in solutions that can be integrated into a ‘lights-out’ production driven by the Industry 4.0 ideal. Aligning with these processes is YJ Link’s updated board handling solution ready to launch in July.
The improved Y series board handling solution includes new build structure improvements including an auto-width adjustment as standard. A touch screen has also been incorporated and can be
simply applied for ease of use. Internally the enhanced machine has been improved with a new belt drive design, entry rails and wiring duct composition. Controlling the flow of PCB is essential in an automatic assembly line. The new features incorporated into the YJ Link Y series board handling machine makes it possible for the process to work consistently and efficiently and achieve the highest possible throughput of the line.
“Board handling is an important investment to automate an SMT line. By incorporating the correct equipment there will be an increase in production,
profitability and ROI therefore selecting the right solution is important,” said Mike Todd, quality and operations manager. “The new Y series board handling machine from YJ Link has been updated to ensure it effectively improves production and works within an automated environment. There are several tweaks which have improved the machine even further making it more efficient in handling PCBs on a SMT line. We will be introducing our customers to the Y series board handling solution once it is launched next month. We have already received interest in the updated equipment, so we are sure it is going to be a popular addition to our portfolio.”
Wales preferred location for Britishvolt’s landmark battery gigafactory
attery manufacturer, Britishvolt, has selected two promising sites for the UK’s first 30 plus GWh gigafactory, from an initial 42 locations, with Bro Tathan in South Wales leading the way. The battery industry is forecast to be worth £5 billion domestically by 2025, and the demand for lithium ion cells across a number of industries, including vehicle electrification, is already increasing dramatically, and risks becoming constrained as the UK Government strives to meet its Road to Zero targets by 2050. Not only is Britishvolt filling this gap in the market, but is also moving to leverage the UK’s world-leading lithium ion battery research development and academic community to ensure the country
6 June 2020
retains a commercial and technical lead. The initial wave of £1.2 billion of investment into the site will eventually lead to around 3,500 jobs. The firm is also announcing plans to build a solar park alongside the factory, to support sustainable production of batteries and meet low carbon objectives, ensuring the firm plays a true and active part in the global green agenda. Lars Carlstrom, CEO at Britishvolt commented: “We aim to deliver a scalable, onshore production and diverse portfolio of world-class lithium ion batteries, to support the unprecedented transition to electrification – primarily servicing the automotive and energy storage markets. After six months of careful analysis, Bro Tathan is the preferred
Components in Electronics
choice due to number of different factors. The Welsh Government has welcomed us with open arms and impeccable due diligence, and the region meets crucial criteria including import/export accessibility, availability of labour and skilled staff, along with convenient geographical proximity to customers and local industrial companies.”
Lars continued: The sheer scale of this project means our gigafactory will have one of the top three largest single footprints in Europe. The plant will be one km long and 30 metres tall, needing 80 plus hectares of land, and the energy intensive nature of producing lithium ion cells means nearby renewable sources are of huge importance. Our ambition is to become one of the greenest battery producers worldwide, which will be facilitated through the creation of our very own solar park, ensuring a near carbon neutral electricity input. Our state of the art and high efficiency gigaplant will employ at least 3,500 local Welsh people.”
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it will help facilitate the movement of ideas, colleagues, products and solutions between the UK and US, as well as in the wider EMEA region. I’m delighted that the scale of Analog Devices’ commitment to the UK has been reflected in the Transatlantic Growth Award.’
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