Artemis Optical, a manufacturer of optical filters based in Plymouth, UK, has secured a £230,000 grant towards high-tech equipment. The investment is set to create 24 new full-time-equivalent jobs, almost doubling the current workforce of 29.
The project is funded by the UK government’s Regional Growth Fund initiative, specifically a fund designed to kick-start investment and create jobs in south-west of England. Participating in the collaboration are Swmas, Plymouth University’s Gain team, South West Water Business Services and the Western Morning News.
The funding will help Artemis finance the £800,000 installation of an ion-beam assisted deposition coating chamber and ancillary equipment, enabling the company to continue developing products for medical instrumentation, research, security and space technology. Market research and discussions with Artemis customers have identified significant opportunities in these market areas, all with increasing demand for complex thin-film coatings.
‘Keeping up with demand is a challenge, especially when we are already working on the edge of technology,’ said Nick Hurst, executive chairman of Artemis Optical. ‘We are therefore exploring ways to work with the manufacturers of coating equipment to develop their technology to be able to support the innovations that our customers demand.'
Artemis is growing at around 40 per cent a year. Situated at Langage Science Park in Plymouth, the company presently employs 29 highly skilled full-time equivalent staff. It has operated under the current management structure since 2012. ‘The directors are also looking at how Artemis builds on its reputation for technology and innovation by increasing its manufacturing capability and capacity,’ concluded Hurst.
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