Fast support as firm relocates

AHIGH-TECH firm specialising in dry etching for the semiconductor industry is the latest company to move in to Heath Business And Technical Park (BTP) in Runcorn.

EtchTech Systems Limited will now occupy office space and a research and development (R&D) laboratory.

Technicians at business park owners SOG Ltd have created facilities specific for EtchTech’s needs, which include a customer demonstration facility to showcase its cutting-edge technology.

An SOG spokesman said the laboratory has environmentally-friendly extraction fume cupboards and systems for supplying nitrogen, compressed air and electricity.

EtchTech, whose main office is in Deeside, Flintshire, moved to The Heath in early September and expects to have its demonstration facility fully operational in October.

The firm is also recruiting technicians and scientists to work in the Runcorn operation.

Dr Raj Odedra, scientist and EtchTech director and head of business, said: “As a new business we needed a good and easily accessible location in which to set up our R&D laboratory and customer demonstration plant.

“The Heath is ideally situated and has also been able to offer a high level of technical support to help us quickly convert the space into a bespoke laboratory to meet our very specific requirements.”

Lesley Lunt, sales and marketing manager at The Heath, said: “We are delighted to welcome EtchTech as the latest resident to take space in our science centre.

“The Heath has an excellent reputation for supporting new businesses to get up and running, not only by providing space but also through the highly specialised technical support services that we also offer.”