Filtronic enhances packaging capabilities
Encapsulation equipment will allow plastic packaging for high-performance RF components
UK-based RF- and mm-Wave specialist, Filtronic has enhanced its plastic encapsulation capabilities with a grant of £150,000 from Business Durham. The funding, which has been used entirely for capital expenditure, will enable Filtronic to bid for new projects and customers in their core markets of aerospace, space and defence.
With the funding, Filtronic has invested in plastic encapsulation equipment which will allow the company to offer fully moulded plastic packaging for its high-performance RF components. Filtronic is one of just a handful of companies in Europe that has the technology and knowledge to offer this service — and is unique in combining its RF knowledge with a vertically integrated offering.
The new plastic encapsulation service is a further addition to Filtronic’s expanding UK manufacturing capability, and demonstrates its commitment to providing sovereign capabilities for next generation platforms. With this new assembly capability, Filtronic is ensuring that it can provide smaller package solutions with lower weight, and reduce costs for customers wishing to avoid long supply chains and offshore manufacturing.
“The North East is an innovation hub in the field of electronics,” explained Michael Tyerman, CFO at Filtronic (pictured above left). “The fact that there are so many great businesses in our region makes receiving the grant even more incredible as I can only imagine the level of competition”.
Sarah Slaven (pictured above right), managing director of Business Durham said: “We are delighted to support Filtronic, recognising the impact of their products developed and produced at the North East Technology Park (NETPark) in Sedgefield. Filtronic’s investment in plastic encapsulation not only enhances their competitive edge but also bolsters the broader growth of the North East’s electronics industry.
"This technological advancement positions Filtronic to secure new opportunities in aerospace, space, and defence, fostering job creation and reinforcing the region’s innovation hub. Although the County Durham Growth Fund has now closed, we know how important capital grants like this can be to enable innovative businesses like Filtronic to invest in growth opportunities. Therefore, we are pleased to have been able to build on this experience to set up a new Durham Business Growth Programme.
“This program provides an integrated package of growth and productivity support including capital and revenue grants to help companies like Filtronic that are looking to expand, create jobs, and contribute to the region’s economic development. Filtronic’s success will undoubtedly inspire other companies in County Durham to take up the support on offer.”
The County Durham Growth Fund is an £8.9 million capital grant scheme providing grants to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in County Durham to accelerate their growth. The funding was secured from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme.
