Press Releases
2000Labtech owners make changes to
hi-tech stable Intelek plc, which took over Presteigne-based Labtech in 1990, has agreed to pay £18.3 million for Paradise Datacom Ltd and to sell aerospace tooling manufacturer A.C.E. Tooling Inc, based in Muskegon, Michigan, in a deal worth £610,000 before tax. Paradise Datacom Ltd designs, manufactures and sells modems and microwave amplifiers for the satellite communications market. Intelek says the changes form part of the company's plan to focus attention on its core activities in electronics and communications. "The acquisition of Paradise Datacom lifts Intelek's profile in the European and US microwave communications markets at a time when wireless communications network operators are investing heavily in infrastructure to service the ever-increasing demand for global communication," said Intelek chairman Roger Fletcher. "We plan to use the proceeds from the disposal of A.C.E. Tooling to support Intelek's plans for growth within the US market and, in particular, the US activities which will become part of the group through the acquisition of Paradise Datacom". Paradise Datacom is now one of four companies owned by Intelek, which supplies leading edge technologies to the world's electronics and aerospace markets and is listed on the London Stock Exchange's new techMARK index. Intelek also recently announced plans to raise £10.14 million with a placing of new shares at 37p each. Labtech's Managing Director Dr Brian Mazonas believes the acquisition of Paradise Datacom is good news for the Mid Wales company. "We are delighted to be associated with another successful company, which can only benefit Labtech," he said. "It will certainly help to raise our profile and develop the United States market." Labtech, established in Presteigne 16 years ago with just three staff, has grown rapidly in the last two years as the company has ridden the crest of the global telecommunications wave. The company has seen its workforce expand to 170 and there are plans to double the size of its 32,000 sq. ft. base within the next 12 months, creating up to 30 new jobs. To meet rising demand for its products, Labtech has recently
trebled its plating capacity after spending £750,000 over
the last two years in the chemical processing area to improve
automated production. Labtech Receive "Investor in People"
Award "Investor in People" is a national standard which sets a level of good practice for training and development of people to achieve business goals. It provides a framework for improving business performance and competitiveness through a planned approach to setting and communicating business objectives while developing people to meet those objectives. This results in higher levels of productivity and profitability combined with improved customer satisfaction Following a guided tour of the factory, Mr. Livesey said he was "very impressed with the quality of the work, the good morale of the workforce and the high standard of the workplace at Labtech and the expertise of the management. It continues to be a business that rural Wales can be proud of. The award of "Investor in People" is confirmation of its status as a very valued employer in this part of Mid-Wales." Labtech trebles plating capacity Labtech has recently installed a new electrolytic nickel and hard and soft gold line, a new fully automatic electroless nickel gold line and a new hot air solder levelling process. They have also renewed their resist-strip chemical etch line to a higher specification. A new electrolytic plating line from PAL and a new oxide coating line have been in use since the end of September 2000. This investment, totalling £750k, completes Labtech's major capital expenditure programme in the chemical processing area and is the end of a two year programme to provide a higher technical tolerance capability with automated SPC production. Bob Lowther, Labtech's Sales and Marketing Director, comments "Labtech is experiencing a major growth in demand for microwave circuits, arising from sustained, strong growth in the wireless communications market. The emergence of wireless broadband data access networks and third generation cellular telephony will drive demand for our advanced microwave circuits to even higher levels. This investment programme will enable Labtech to meet current and future customer requirements." Labtech is one of the companies forming Intelek plc, which supplies leading edge technologies to the world's electronics and aerospace markets. Intelek is one of the first companies to be listed on the London Stock Exchange's new techMARK index. For more information, please contact: Anne Margaret Crow, Intelek
Labtech extends presence in United
States The network now includes Cetech Electronics Corporation of Baltimore covering Maryland, Virginia and Columbia, Commreps of Dallas covering Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana, F&M Technical Sales, New Jersey, covering East Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City and Long Island; Microwave Component Marking Inc. of Melbourne, Florida, covering the Florida area; Microwave Component Marking Inc. of Danvers, Massachusetts and Merrimack, New Hampshire covering New England and upstate New York and SMA of Campbell, California covering Northern California. Labtech's main sales office in the United States is based in Palm Desert, California. Bob Lowther, Labtech's Sales and Marketing Director, comments, "The United States is the single largest market for high quality microwave circuits like Labtech's. Over the last six months, Labtech has secured several significant orders in the US, clearly demonstrating our ability to provide US customers with leading edge microwave circuit technology. Extending our network or US based representatives will help Labtech achieve greater penetration of this most important market." Labtech is one of the companies forming Intelek plc, which supplies leading edge technologies to the world's electronics and aerospace markets. Intelek is one of the first companies to be listed on the London Stock Exchange's new techMARK index. For more information, please contact: Anne Margaret Crow, Intelek
Labtech strengthens presence in
United States Prior to joining Labtech, Ray was General Manager for one of the divisions of B C Barton and Co., an engineering company based in the West Midlands, and Operations Manager for one of Glynwed International plc's businesses. This background gives him in-depth experience of the commercial pressures customers are under and their need for sound technical solutions. Such experience is invaluable in his new role, liasing with Labtech's growing network of agents and representatives in the US to ensure that Labtech's customers are fully supported on both commercial and technical issues. Bob Lowther, Labtech's Sales and Marketing Director, comments, "Labtech are a major supplier of metal-backed circuits operating at frequencies up to 77 GHz, for telecommunications and defense applications. Over the last six months, Labtech has secured several significant orders in the US, clearly demonstrating our ability to provide US customers with leading edge microwave circuit technology. Ray's appointment will help Labtech achieve greater penetration of this most important market. Labtech is one of the companies forming Intelek plc, which supplies leading edge technologies to the world's electronics and aerospace markets. Intelek is one of the first companies to be listed on the London Stock Exchange's new techMARK index. Labtech to exhibit at
wireless/portable Labtech will be exhibiting their advanced microwave circuit processing technology for manufacturing microwave circuit boards, bonded antennae and precision machined circuits in prototype and medium volumes. Specialist technologies supported include metal-backed PTFE, multi-layer PTFE, mixed dielectrics, fusion bonded multi-layers, BT epoxy and rigid polyimide substrates. Commenting on Labtech's participation, Bob Lowther, Labtech's sales and marketing director, said, "Labtech are a major international supplier of metal-backed circuits operating at frequencies up to 77 GHz, primarily for telecommunications applications. Thousands of industry professionals engaged in wireless or portable design and engineering will be attending the Wireless/Portable show to find out about the latest standards, design techniques and technologies. This is an ideal opportunity to showcase the latest and best in microwave circuits."
The focus of the site is a General Forum where users can exchange views, news and comments about all aspects of the PCB, RF and microwave fields. Labtech's technical team monitor the forum and contribute useful insights as applicable. Customers with large teams of designers, particularly those working from several design canters, are given password protected areas of the General Forum, where they can exchange ideas about shared design projects. In addition the site contains sections on Frequently Asked Questions such as the pros and cons of HASL versus electroless nickel immersion gold; full details of Labtech's capabilities and a directory of links to suppliers and other relevant organizations. Nik Vyas, Labtechnical's Project Manager, comments, "Labtech are a world-leader in advanced microwave circuit processing technology. This site provides a forum for Labtech's experienced process engineers and microwave designers throughout the world to share this knowledge with each other." 1999Labtech expands special projects teamPresteigne, UK. 14th July 1999 - Labtech, a member of the Intelek Group and UK-based manufacturer of microwave printed circuit boards, announce the appointment of John Priday as Manager of Labtech's Special Projects Division. John joins Labtech from GEC Marconi Interconnect, Chelmsford, where he was heavily involved in the production of specialist microwave and high reliability PCBs for the defense and aerospace markets. His extensive circuit production experience includes high performance materials such as polyimide glass and Kevlar, complex flexi-rigid multi-layers, metal cored PCBs and laser drilled microvias. While John has spent most of his nineteen years in the PCB industry in production, his role at GEC Marconi Interconnect immediately prior to joining Labtech, was Customer Services Manager. This, John believes, has given him deep awareness of the commercial issues facing defense based companies and the need to migrate technologies from research activities to production processes. Bob Lowther, Labtech's Sales and Marketing Director, comments, “Labtech has retained leadership of the microwave printed circuits market in Europe through sustained investment in process technologies. Our Special Projects Division, opened last year, is central to this strategy. John's appointment strengthens the Special Projects' team, helping us transfer customer projects from prototype to production.” Labtech open microwave circuits research
facility This emphasis on innovative, technology based solutions is key to Labtech's strategy. Labtech has always been a leader in microwave circuits, one of the first to begin processing PTFE substrates for high frequency applications, one of only half-a-dozen companies worldwide who has mastered the complexities of manufacturing metal-backed PTFE circuits, the first company in Europe to receive ESA accreditation for microwave circuits. Labtech has retained leadership of this market by sustained investment in new process technologies. Keeping abreast of new technologies and mastering the chemistry involved is essential. The intensifying demands placed on microwave designers for higher frequency microwave systems and components mandates a constantly innovative approach to the realization of microwave circuits. Central to the establishment of this new facility is Labtech's Founder and Vice-president, David Latham. Latham has been associated with the PCB industry for nearly 30 years. He started Labtech fifteen years ago, specifically to provide microwave circuits to the defense industry. Since then, the microwave circuit market has evolved from a relatively minor niche to one of the fastest growing global markets, as microwave circuits are crucial components of cellular communications systems. Labtech has expanded from the original 4,500 square foot factory into a purpose-built 25,000 square foot facility employing 110 people. Latham sold his flourishing business to Intelek in 1991, when his original partner decided to retire. Latham however, continued with Labtech, providing both managerial and technological leadership . Latham now heads-up Labtech's new research facility, which by curious coincidence, is located in the building which housed the original Labtech. This building has been completed refurbished and re-equipped in the intervening period. Latham comments “Hundreds of companies started up in business in 1983, when Labtech began. Most folded in the first two years, as new businesses generally do. Only a handful have survived to celebrate their fifteenth anniversary. Labtech's place amongst the successful few is an indication of the reliability and technological superiority of our circuit boards.” Labtech invest in additional CNC
machining capacity Brian Popsys, Labtech's Operations Manager, comments, “Labtech are one of only half a dozen companies worldwide with the skills required to manufacture metal-backed printed circuit boards. Aluminum and brass backed circuits are essential for applications where superior thermal performance and rigidity are required. Labtech's brass-backed circuits are a key element of microwave links in cellular phone systems throughout the world. The telecommunications market is experiencing a period of phenomenal growth, resulting in greatly increased demand for all of our printed circuit types, including metal backed boards. By purchasing additional CNC machining capacity, Labtech are expanding our capacity to meet new growth expectations.” Labtech strengthens presence in
Scandinavia MF Partner is a consultancy specializing in microwave design. They are based in Gothenburg, close to several major microwave companies. Ulf Andersson Electronik are based in Gavle, from where they can provide close support for customers based in the Stockholm area. Bob Lowther, Labtech's Sales and Marketing Manager, comments, “These appointments reflect the importance of this market to Labtech. Scandinavia, with its high concentration of mobile and satellite communications industry, is the fastest growing market for microwave circuits in Europe. Labtech has consistently experienced strong demand for its circuits from Scandinavian customers, by providing local support for our technology we are confident we will build on this business significantly.”
The Amazon jungle, home to more than half of the Earth's known species of plants and animals, is being destroyed at a rate of five million acres per year. Illegal farming and mining activity, smuggling of exotic animals, rare hardwoods, gold and diamonds and the trade in cocaine, are all responsible. Once an unauthorized aircraft movement is spotted by the airforce, they can move quickly to stop the illegal activity. Until recently, the airforce relied on ground surveillance radar. The new Erieye radar systems are mounted on five Embraer EMB 145 aircraft, greatly enhancing the airforce's ability to detect smugglers. Erieye is the first long-range, high performance Airborne Early Warning and Control system which can be installed in relatively small turboprop aircraft. This is because it uses a nonmoving, solid-state antenna, suitable for mounting on top of an aircraft fuselage, rather than a conventional rotodome antenna. This design also delivers improved detection and tracking performance. Labtech has provided quick turnaround prototype circuits for the development phase of the project and is currently working on the third production set of circuits. The circuits are bonded stripline feeder networks, with each board acting as a divider for signal distribution to the phased array antenna. The circuits are based on a ceramic filled PTFE (Teflon) substrate, with an FR4 rigidiser bonded to one side. Labtech is one of a very small number of printed circuit manufacturers in Europe, capable of supplying this type of circuit board. Labtech celebrates 15th Anniversary
Based in Presteigne, Wales, the company continues to grow and now employs nearly 100 staff in a purpose-built 30,000 square foot factory, producing microwave, softboard, multi-layer and metal backed circuits. In its early days, Labtech concentrated on the provision of microwave circuits to the defense industry. Over the last few years however, Labtech has diversified into other markets. Labtech's Managing Director, Dr. Brian Mazonas, comments “Today's microwave circuit market is extremely fast moving with major growth in sectors such as telecommunications, space, road tolling, antennas and local area networks. Labtech is successfully addressing all these new market areas, both in the UK and overseas. Last year we doubled our annual sales and we look forward to continued growth in the future.” David Latham adds “Hundreds of companies started up business in 1983, the year Labtech began. Most folded within the first 2 years, as new businesses often do. Only a handful have survived to celebrate their fifteenth anniversary. Labtech is one of the survivors and our place among the successful few is an indication of our sound management, integrity and the technological superiority and reliability of our circuits.” Labtech strengthens presence in
France Bob Lowther, Labtech's Sales and Marketing Manager, comments, “Labtech are a major supplier of metal-backed circuits operating at frequencies up to 77 GHz to UK based communications and defense companies. There has always been strong demand in France for high quality microwave circuits like ours for sophisticated defense and space applications but until recently, much of this demand was supplied by captive PCB manufacturers. The current restructuring of the French electronics industry represents a major opportunity for Labtech to increase our market share. This appointment reflects the importance of this market to Labtech.” Labtech awarded European Space
Agency approval for metal-backed PCBs Approval was awarded during the development of circuits for use in a MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) satellite system, providing phone, data, fax and messaging and information services worldwide The approval, which is generic rather than restricted to this specific project, is for PTH (plated through hole) aluminium-backed boards with a range of finishes : bare copper, passivated copper or nickel/gold. Bob Lowther, Labtech's Sales and Marketing Manager, comments, “Labtech is the largest supplier of metal-backed circuits in Europe and one of only six suppliers worldwide to manufacture these advanced aluminum backed boards. ESA approval confirms Labtech's preeminence in this field and is a tribute to the quality and technical merit of our production facilities and processes.” Labtech invest in Multilayer Registration
System Brian Popsys, Labtech's Operations Manager, comments, “This new equipment provides a complete system for the alignment of multilayers and efficient registration of outer layers. We can now use SPC (Statistical Process Control ) data to build up a picture of material movement, significantly reducing the problems of material movement inherent with PTFE. In addition, we can now use first generation silver halide films for printing instead of producing diazo copies, eliminating film stretch and the introduction of artwork faults associated with this extra step.” Bob Lowther, Labtech's Sales and Marketing Manager, comments, “Labtech is a leading supplier of PTFE circuits for base station components and applications such as phased array radars, intelligent cruise controls for automotives and base-station infrastructure. The increasing complexity of these applications is driving a migration to high functionality multilayer circuit boards. This investment ensures we will be able to fulfil the growing customer demand for multilayer microwave circuits well into the next millennium. |
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MMIC packaging solutionsLabtech Microwave has developed an innovative low cost custom packaging solution utilising Labtech's established microwave printed circuit board techniques and the use of low cost organic materials for single chip & MCM (Multichip Module) applications
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Providing specialist solutions for a range of markets, Labtech Microwave offers a wide range of complimentary microwave PCB capabilities from a purpose built factory located in Wales, UK
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Labtech Microwave is a European based design and manufacturer with extensive and proven experience of producing high performance microwave components including DLVAs and amplifiers
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Labtech Microwave offers a comprehensive build-to-print microwave module and component manufacturing service, which includes DFM support
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Labtech Limited, Broadaxe Business Park, Presteigne, Powys LD8 2UH, UK