Opened in 2006, the Xaar Huntingdon site manufactures the Xaar 1001 inkjet printheads that are sold worldwide. The company has recorded exceptionally strong sales growth this year — up by 78% in the first half of the year versus the same period in 2012. To meet the increased demand, Xaar has invested heavily in its Huntingdon factory. Over £40 million has already been invested in manufacturing assets and infrastructure within the 50,000 square feet facility, and a further £20 million is expected to be invested between now and June 2014. Huntingdon employs more than 450 people — over half of Xaar’s global workforce of 800 — and 2013 has seen an increase in headcount in Huntingdon of 55% over 2012.
Xaar’s investment and growth has resulted in further recognition: the company has also just won ‘Technology Growth Business of the Year’ at the UK Tech Awards; was named ‘Best Main Market Company’ at the recent Shares Magazine Awards; and achieved Highly Commended in the ‘Manufacturing in Action’ category of The Manufacturer Awards 2013.
Ted Wiggans, Director of Operations and Quality, said: “These awards are well-deserved credit for the magnificent performance of our manufacturing staff in Huntingdon over the last few years. Not only have they kept up with a huge increase in demand for our printheads, but they have also implemented a significant upgrade to the manufacturing environment. As a result, by July 2014 our manufacturing capacity will have expanded 15-fold in just four years.”
Xaar has also expanded at its Cambridge headquarters by leasing a third facility on the Cambridge Science Park. This increases its R&D floor space by 50% to 48,000 square feet.
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Contacts:
Xaar: Charlotte Baile T: +44 1223 437273 E: charlotte.baile@xaar.com
Splash!PR: Ruth Clark T: +44 1580 241177 E: ruth@splashpr.co.uk
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