Devon-based Bay Photonics (formerly Alpha Contract Engineering) has relocated its entire operation into the new Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) in Paignton. The company was established in 2007 and specialises in the photonics assembly and packaging sector.

After five very successful years based in the University of Plymouth Brixham Laboratory, the move into the £8 million EPIC facility will increase the already substantial capability with access to an in-house classified cleanroom in addition to over £1.5 million of prototyping equipment.

Bay Photonics managing director Glenn George said: “The move to EPIC will naturally increase our technical capability, providing us with the opportunity to attract new clients and enter new markets. It also supports our plans, using a substantial Quantum Technology grant recently awarded to us by Innovate UK.

“We are sad to leave our previous facility in Brixham but EPIC was very supportive in helping us make the move. The centre has since installed all the services that we require to operate our business and has helped make us feel welcome in our new home. Bay Photonics is at a critical stage of its development and has plans to expand further in the coming years. One factor that influenced our decision to move was the opportunity to grow within the centre.”

Bay Photonics is a ‘marquee’ addition to EPIC (www.epic-centre.co.uk), and it is hoped that the move will enable current and future tenants to collaborate and work on projects together. The potential to work on joint funding bids and to share resource, equipment and capacity will certainly benefit the wider cluster.

EPIC centre director Wayne Loschi said: “Bay Photonics bring a wealth of experience into the centre which will take the EPIC project to the next level. It will be fascinating to learn about some of the cutting edge technologies that will be designed, prototyped and manufactured from within the building.”

Bay Photonics (www.bayphotonics.com) offer a range of semiconductor, micro-electronic, optic and photonic assembly processes to various different substrates/packages/modules including application specific packaging. These services will complement some of the prototyping capabilities already present within EPIC.

Bay Photonics has customers in the marine, medical, space, quantum and data communications sectors. The company will now occupy three units within the centre, including modern offices and a dry lab. It is expected that Bay Photonics will deliver some technology sessions as part of EPIC’s programme of support for the wider Hi Tech Cluster.

Councillor Swithin Long, Torbay Council Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, said: “EPIC provides excellent facilities for hi-tech businesses in Torbay and beyond. The centre provides the ideal environment to support growth through collaboration. EPIC continues to attract early stage tech businesses as well as growing innovative tech companies, supporting Torbay’s Economic Strategy.”

EPIC is partly funded by a £3 million grant from the Heart of the South West LEP Growth Deal funding and is a centre of excellence, supporting technological innovation and promoting collaborative activity between businesses and research institutions. It focuses on supporting high potential companies and encourages investment into Torbay’s micro-electronics and photonics sector.