Scottish Leaders Plan Semiconductor Cluster

GLASGOW, Scotland, June 16 -- The Scottish government has unveiled a strategy aimed at making Scotland a world center for semiconductor research, design and manufacturing. Three goals central to the plan are the creation of a new wafer foundry, the first global Scottish-owned semiconductor manufacturing company, and Scotland's first $100 million semiconductor/optoelectronics company.
Crawford Beveridge, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, the U.K. government agency responsible for developing the Scottish economy, said, To deliver our vision we plan to seek greater commercialization of our leading-edge university research, more alliances between academia and enterprise and more indigenous spinout companies. We have major strengths in software, nanotechnology and optoelectronics research. If we can link these to silicon producers we will see the creation of some leading edge companies. Not only will this ensure that Scotland is a center for design, it will also strengthen the reputation of our universities and help to support our manufacturing industry.