Spectrum celebrate 20th Anniversary
14 Oct 2009
The Company, established in 1989 originally as part of British Aerospace PLC (now BAE Systems PLC), was the pioneer in the commercialisation of UV laser technology for use in the manufacture of aircraft wire harnesses worldwide.
The Company’s first product introduction was the CAPRIS line of laser wire marking and processing systems. CAPRIS is based on the unique and innovative ultra violet (UV) laser wire marking process originally developed at BAE’s laboratories in 1987 by a team led by Spectrum CEO Dr Peter Dickinson, and has been extended into a family of products, developed principally for the international aerospace market, for use in the manufacture and maintenance of complex aircraft electrical wiring systems. Since this time the Company has become the primary supplier of this technology on a global basis and has almost every major international aerospace manufacturer on its Customer List.
In the early 1990s Spectrum developed several other UV laser-based products for other applications. These included a system used to manufacture the aluminium microwave grid array for the communications antennae for the Orion communication satellite and R&D systems for medical applications.
In 1995 the Company was a recipient of its first Queen’s Award for Export, the UK’s top award for export achievement.
In 1998, Spectrum Technologies established Spectrum Interconnect Inc in the USA, as a wholly owned subsidiary to provide sales and service of its CAPRIS laser wire marking products in the key North American market.
The Company won three export awards in 2000, including the Company’s second Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade.
In 2001 Spectrum Technologies expanded its activities through the acquisition of RtMc Inc of Phoenix, Arizona, a manufacturer of a range of complementary infrared laser wire stripping products. Later in 2001 Spectrum also acquired the assets of its main competitor in the aerospace laser wire marking market, Vektronics Inc, of Vista, California. The events of 9/11 caused a major reduction in business with a consequent downsizing in the Company’s operations.
On 1 January 2003 Vektronics’ residual business was combined with RtMc Inc and Spectrum Interconnect Inc and merged into a single new operating company, Spectrum Technologies USA Inc.
In 2004 Spectrum introduced its 4th Generation CAPRIS product range and based upon this, has rebuilt its business to pre 9/11 levels. As a result the Company was pleased to be the recipient in 2006 of a third Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade.
In 2006 the engineering and production of SIENNA products was transferred from Phoenix and consolidated into Spectrum’s Bridgend, UK operation. Spectrum Technologies USA Inc now provides a focused sales and after-sales support service to the Company’s North American customer base from its offices in Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.
In April 2007 Spectrum opened its Hong Kong based sales and service office to support the expanding customer base in Asia Pacific. In October the new Nova wire marker range was introduced with the new top of the range Nova 880, the fastest laser wire marking system yet; launch customer was Sikorsky Aircraft.
During 2008 the full Nova 800 range was launched comprising five models from the 800 through to the 880.
In 2009 Spectrum opened its new branch office in Shanghai and has introduced a new inkjet based wire marker; NovaJet, aimed at niche aerospace applications such as naval helicopters and non-aerospace markets including the rail sector.
Over the years Spectrum has enjoyed enormous success and forged strong relationships with all its customers and partners, which has been rewarded by various awards and preferred supplier status with some of the world’s best known airframe manufacturers.
The company remains the world’s number one choice for laser wire processing equipment and is committed to the continuing development of new laser applications for problems in advanced manufacturing.
Here’s to another 20 years success!
For further information, please contact:
Rachael Pugh
International Sales & Marketing Assistant
Spectrum Technologies PLC
Tel: +44 1656 655437
Fax: +44 1656 655920
E-mail: rpugh@spectrumtech.com