Andor Technology Ltd (now a part of Oxford Instruments) was setup in 1989 out of Queen's University Belfast and operates at the high-value end of the global scientific digital camera market. Employing over 400 people in 16 offices worldwide, it distributes its products to 10,000 customers in 55 countries. On the afternoon of 11th November 2015 the IET Young Professionals made a visit to its facility in West Belfast.
As a purpose-built 50,000sq. ft premises with state of the art optical, electronic and mechanical workshops, a 3000sq. ft clean room, vacuum and electronic processing facilities Andor formulates an impressive tour. Upon entering the foyer and to the right a glass pane exists, which is quite literally a window into Andor’s operation, there in a brightly lit clean room people in white overalls perform some of Andor’s most delicate operations. It was the first clue to the sophisticated nature of the technology the company develops.
Our tour guide Alan Beattie, CCD and Spectroscopy Solutions Manager started by providing some background on the basic operation of the cameras before taking us around to meet and hear from various personnel and the areas they work on. There was an evident passion talking about their work and wiliness to take time to share it with us.
Moving from the offices onto the assembly floor brought the pervious discussions of theory and design into the reality of production, where a well oiled and refined operation was evident.
Andor has a process of continued development in refining production products and producing new technologies. Fittingly, in conclusion the Young Professionals where given an overview from HR about employment opportunities.
THANKS TO ANDOR AND ALAN FOR LEADING AND FACILATING A REALLY INTERESTING TOUR.