Dynex Semiconductor has officially opened a new Lincoln-based £1.8m R&D centre as part of an £11.25m investment which will create up to 40 engineering jobs and safeguard its 315-strong workforce in the city.
Dynex designs and makes high power bipolar semiconductors, insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules and electronic assemblies, and the project is a partnership with Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric, the majority shareholder of its parent Dynex Power Inc., Canada.
"Our major investment programme started in May 2010, when we announced the start of the R&D project to expand that team, by forming a joint operation with CSR," said Dynex's president and CEO, Dr Paul Taylor.
"We are still recruiting, with the aim of having 50 engineers working in the new building," said Dr Taylor.
Dynex's R&D projects involve power technologies for energy, transport and industrial sectors.
"The power semiconductor device is at the very heart of all modern power electronic systems. Whether wind, solar, tidal, wave, coal, gas or nuclear energy, we need safe, smart and reliable interconnection to the electric grid and safe, smart and reliable power transmission and power quality," said Dr Taylor.
"Whether for driving motors and power equipment for cars, locomotives, metros and manufacturing, for powering our communications, aircraft, keeping the lights on or for keeping us warm in winter and cool in the summer, the power device is the workhorse that enables the control of electric energy to drive these sectors and more," said Dr Taylor.
Dynex's R&D teams work closely with university groups, such as Nottingham, Loughborough, Warwick and others, on advanced research topics and knowledge transfer projects.
"We are now building relationships with the new Engineering School at the University of Lincoln and we have benefited for many years from educational links with Lincoln College," added Dr Taylor.
Trade & Investment Minister Lord Green said: "With the world's spotlight on Britain this summer, the Government is delighted to see UK companies such as Dynex expanding and creating jobs."
