NMI celebrates 10th anniversary

13th November 2006

ES Admin

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The National Microelectronics Institute, the trade association representing the semiconductor industry in the UK and Ireland, has celebrated its 10th birthday. The occasion was marked at the NMI’s Annual General Meeting and Awards Dinner attended by an international audience of more than 200 people.

Speaking at the event, NMI’s CEO Derek Boyd reviewed an exciting tenth year. “We’ve seen a real resurgence in the UK semiconductor industry, inward investment is up significantly, indigenous companies are achieving truly global success and it’s clear that the sector is fitter than it ever was. The NMI and its loyal membership are looking forward to the decade ahead.”

“During the last year the NMI has done much to advance the industry. We’ve expanded our business and technical networks and played a key role in the creation of the UK Electronics Alliance (UKEA), the Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network (EKTN) and the Electronics Leadership Council (ELC). Our 2006 report on UK semiconductor design and first funding handbook have met with a highly favourable response and we’ve lobbied hard on the issues of energy costs and investment.”

A highlight of the 10th anniversary dinner and awards ceremony was a ‘Contribution to Industry’ award presented to David Kynaston. The former Senior Executive VP of Solectron and Board member of TTPCom, Kynaston chaired the DTI backed Electronics Innovation and Growth Team (EIGT), whose 2004 report made 10 key strategic recommendations for Government and Industry to consider. The formation of the UKEA, EKTN and ELC are just a few of the major outcomes to result from the work.