Investment

Scotland has been a major player in the electronics industry for more than 50 years. Today Scotland maintains its position at the forefront of the industry through pioneering research and commercial development.

Within the optoelectronics sector, the nation's main commercial strengths lie in three high-value chains:

• Communication
• Lasers and images
• Sensors

The infrastructure of the Scottish optoelectronics industry is geared towards promoting growth and attracting investment. There is a growing eco-system of companies that specialise in niche technologies, such as avionics, radar and laser systems and optical communications.

Despite the global financial crisis the industry has performed well. Some parts of the sector such as defence photonics have seen no contraction at all and the market is expected to continue growing.

One of the reasons that the Scottish optoelectronics industry continues to expand is a wide range of industry support, which comes in the shape of assistance for technology research but also for companies who wish to engage in manufacturing for export.

For example, the Scottish Optoelectronics Association [LINK] promotes technology transfer and supply chain development among the optoelectronics community in Scotland.