Strengths

With over 40 years of experience and strong ties to the wider electronics industry, the microelectronics sector in Scotland has many benefits to offer both domestic companies and international investors.

Skills and expertise

  • The major concentration of Scottish microelectronics companies is in the central belt between Glasgow and Edinburgh, dubbed ‘Silicon Glen’
  • Scotland boasts a well-represented base of leading microelectronics companies, including Wolfson Microelectronics, Allegro Microsystems and Elonix – see ‘Who’s here?’ for more companies or our ‘Success stories’ section
  • The microelectronics sector in Scotland employs 7500 people throughout 100 companies
  • Over 20,000 people are employed in the wider electronics sector, with over 9000 researchers available in the region
  • A reliable and dedicated workforce with low attrition rates ensures company consistency
  • Some of the finest electronics research facilities in the world exist in Scotland

Centres of excellence

  • The National Microelectronics Institute is the premier trade association representing the semiconductor industry in the UK and Ireland
  • The Alba Centre in Livingston promotes research and development in the microelectronics sector
  • The Hillington Centre aims to bring like-minded companies together and provide mentoring support

High-quality support infrastructure

  • Nine of Scotland’s universities are currently conducting substantial research in microelectronics
  • Scotland has the highest concentration of universities in Europe, making it a hotbed of electronics talent
  • The academic sector in Scotland provides cutting-edge microelectronics research to industry
  • Government support is available to help with commercialisation of research and new business start-ups

Collaboration

  • A solid infrastructure connects related commercial endeavours and applications, including a leading-edge design centre aiding the commercialisation of micro and optoelectronic research
  • Collaborations between the microelectronics sector and academia are actively encouraged by the industry

Cost-competitive

  • Low salary rates and cost-competitive locations compared to other English-speaking countries
  • Funding available for both existing companies and companies wishing to locate here – see ‘how we can help’ for more information on the funding available

Academic support infrastructure for microelectronics in Scotland

  • Scotland secures high levels of research funding based on its excellence in several areas - such as analogue design, mixed signal and digital signal processing

  • Out of the UK’s total investment funding, Scotland secures:

    • 19 percent of system level design funding
    • 22 percent of microsystems funding
    • 17 percent of semiconductor processing

  • University expertise includes:

    • Device modelling, e-beam lithography and compound semiconductors at the University of Glasgow
    • Digital signal processing, signal and image processing, MEMS and Microsystems at the University of Strathclyde
    • MEMS and Microsystems at Heriot-Watt University
    • Silicon micro-fabrication, and image sensors and microdisplays at the University of Edinburgh
    • Artificial intelligence and neural networks at the University of Aberdeen
    • Satellite remote sensing, micro-fabrication and sensing, amorphous materials at the University of Dundee