Filtronic plc, the designer and manufacturer of RF, microwave, and mmWave products for telecommunications infrastructure, aerospace & defence, critical communications, and space markets, last week welcomed the newly-appointed Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman to its state-of-the-art facilities in NETPark, Sedgefield.
The visit was part of a wider initiative to showcase the North East region’s capabilities within the space sector. Mr Freeman was joined by Paul Howell, Member of Parliament for Sedgefield, and Sarah Slaven, Managing Director of Business Durham. Filtronic impressed the contingent with its latest generation E-band transceivers, power amplifiers and hybrid manufacturing capabilities. The technology and capabilities that Filtronic provides partner perfectly with the governments objective for the UK to be a science and innovation superpower.
Richard Gibbs, CEO of Filtronic, commented: “We were delighted to be able to demonstrate the technology leadership and expertise we have within Filtronic. Our visitors were impressed with our team, facilities, and the products that we develop here within the North East. Having a robust innovative UK supply chain is an area of real focus for the UK government and we were glad to demonstrate our potential role.”
The Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman said: “The North East and County Durham are rapidly becoming a cluster of 21st century science and technology, with particular expertise in advanced manufacturing. Filtronic is a vital part of this rapidly emerging cluster.”
“Following the recent visit of the Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, I am absolutely delighted that I have been able to encourage the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman MP, to follow in his steps. I am very happy that he has joined us in his first week in post,” said Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield. “When I visited Filtronic in July, I said that their track record is second to none within UK RF technology, and it makes me immensely proud that the North East can boast world class manufacturers on its doorstep. The pace at which they innovate and the markets they operate in, and opportunity to use their intergenerational skill set to help solve those problems through interesting jobs, makes organisations like Filtronic a key part of the Government’s Space strategy. A visit from the Minister for Science could not be more timely.”
Sarah Slaven, interim managing director at Business Durham, said: “We were delighted to welcome the minister to NETPark and to introduce him to some of the exciting and innovative companies we have at the park, like Filtronic.”
“The North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence which is based at NETPark has played an important role in the growth of the region’s space sector, championing space opportunities and connecting businesses to bring new expertise into the sector,” she continued. “We look forward to continuing to work with Filtronic and the other hi-tech business to build on the success they have had developing the next generation of advanced technologies.”