Queens Awards 2011: Oxford Instruments Group wins 12th award

The company designs and manufactures high performance capital equipment for the semiconductor industry and is the world's largest supplier of thin film plasma etch and deposition equipment to the R&D market. Andy Matthews, managing director of Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, said the company's success was based on a comprehensive product range addressing a wide spread of markets combined with an aggressive strategy of developing new markets, primarily in Asia. This resulted in aggregate exports of £139million in six years and the creation of 29 more full time permanent UK jobs, during the period applicable to the Award selection criteria. This growth has continued as demand for equipment has increased and the company has recently undergone an expansion and refurbishment programme, investing over £2.5m in its factory near Bristol and expanding production capacity by over 50%. "Our company's continued growth and success is attributable to our strong workforce, continuous research and development, and our belief in listening to our customers and developing the tools and systems that they want," Matthews said. "We're delighted with the Award as it recognises the skill, commitment and dedication of everyone at Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology over a sustained period, and we intend continuing to build on this success." The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are highly prestigious and granted for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of Innovation, International Trade and Sustainable Development.