Scotland has enjoyed a 50-year history of electronics production and, despite changing global trends, many major multi-nationals are still manufacturing here.
A world-class academic sector, history of excellence in the industry and competitive salary rates are just a few of the reasons why your electronics company might choose Scotland.
- The electronics industry in Scotland comprises approximately 1000 companies, which employ around 55,000, constituting 2.5 per cent of workforce.
- More than 5000 engineering, software and technology students graduate each year in Scotland.
- Total global end-market for electronics was over $1 trillion in 2005.
- Scottish electronics companies have survived the global downturn by reinventing themselves as higher value-add operations.
- Wage rates are highly competitive with other European locations.
Find out more key facts and figures specific to each electronics sector in Scotland.
Specialist manufacturing
- Electronics manufacturing generates annual revenue in excess of $21 billion – 14 per cent of GDP.
- Supplier infrastructure is well developed, with production typified by low volume/high mix production across multiple product configurations.
- Scotland's universities have a strong track record of research in several areas of specialist electronics manufacturing.
- Full range of services, from design to delivery and aftercare.
Intelligent transport
- Around 200 companies – operating mainly in electronics, software and high performance engineering – make up the Scottish automotive industry base.
- More than 90 per cent of companies operate in areas relating to intelligent transport systems.
- This sector will grow by 15 per cent per annum, predominantly in high-value niche areas.
- Scotland has two dedicated wireless innovation centres which are focused on providing incubator services for SMEs and overseas investors.
Security
- The global market for homeland security was worth $42 billion in 2005, forecast to grow to $115 billion by 2010.
- The disciplines used in counter-terrorism include; improved intelligence, law enforcement, border control and enhance transportation security.
- Examples of natural disasters and industrial emergencies are floods, hurricanes, landslides, fires, explosions and toxic gas leaks.
- Scotland's security industry has more than 100 companies across a wide spectrum of technologies.
Communications Technology
- The communications industry in Scotland comprises around 200 companies, from global organisations to smaller home-grown companies.
- Scotland's communications technology market enjoys a strong company base, highly skilled workforce and a large pool of experienced graduates.
- Scottish companies are leading the way in advancing mobile technology by developing innovative software and chipset products for use with Ultra Wide band applications.
- There is in-depth technical strength in the DSP market in Scotland, with around 40 companies involved in this area.
Microelectronics and Design Technology
- Scotland has been a global player in microelectronics for over 40 years.
- The microelectronics sector in Scotland employs 7500 people in 150 companies.
- Scotland has recognised strengths in analogue design, mixed signal and digital signal processing, and is leading technology development in several other areas.
- Home-grown design companies and inward investors continue to flourish.
Optoelectronics
- There are 90 optoelectronics companies in Scotland who employ 4200 people and have a combined annual turnover of £800 million.
- Scottish universities receive more than 30 per cent of the UK research budget and account for more than 50 per cent of all optoelectronics graduates.
- Some 13 Scottish universities are engaged in optoelectronics, with more that 450 world-class researchers involved.
- Scotland's main industry strengths lie in communication, lasers and images, and sensors.
Nanotechnology
- For 30 years Scotland has pioneered development in nanotechnology and boasts a thriving nanotech community supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure.
- Internationally recognised schools in product design and technology management provide a strong pool of graduate talent.
- The Institute of Nanotechnology, formed in Scotland in 1997, underpins and supports Scottish activity in the sector.
- Scotland has a strong science base in micro and optoelectronics, photonics, the biosciences and healthcare.
Data Centres
- The demand for data centres by 2012 is expected to be 50 per cent higher than in 2007.
- Almost all medium-sized or larger companies will have some kind of data centre, with major companies moving towards the establishment of “super” data centres.
- Lower power requirements to cool the servers combined with lower average salaries and property prices, means annual operating costs in Scotland can be 20 – 30 per cent less expensive than in other European locations.
- Highly robust and resilient electricity supplies and comprehensive IT and technical support infrastructure already in place.
Digital Media and Creative Industries
- Scotland’s burgeoning creative industry sector includes games, film, television, animation, music, design, publishing, architecture, advertising and arts businesses.
- The sector employs over 100,000 people and contributes over $9 billion annually to Scotland’s economy – a figure which is predicted to grow by 10 – 20 per cent a year.
- With a growing community of highly successful games studios, Scotland is ranked third in Europe’s top 50 locations.
- Scotland has a full infrastructure in place for members of the digital media and creative industries.
Find out more about the electronics companies in Scotland