Pictured above: Lincolnshire's Lord Lieutenant Tony
Worth presenting Dynex president and chief executive officer Dr
Paul Taylor with the Queen's Award
Skilled workers at a Lincoln high-tech company celebrated their
success in achieving a right Royal accolade.
Proud staff from Dynex Semiconductor Ltd joined managers and
their guests at a high-flying reception, where the Doddington Road
business received the prestigious Queen's Award for
Enterprise.
The applause rang out at Jocastas, in Thorpe-on-the-Hill, as
Lincolnshire's Lord Lieutenant Tony Worth, accompanied by Deputy
Lieutenant Jill Hughes, congratulated Dynex workers and presented
President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Paul Taylor with the
magnificent crystal award.
The special ceremony was also watched by Lincoln Mayor and
Mayoress Councillor Geoffrey and Mrs Valerie Kirby, Lincolnshire
County Council Chairman Councillor Peter Bedford and his wife Zita,
customers and investors.
Dynex is a growing force in the power semiconductor field and
managers are keen to see the employer of 288 people become a top
global player. Products made in Lincoln go into the electric power
transmission and distribution, rail, marine, aerospace and
industrial energy industries.
Mr Worth said Dynex was one of only 93 companies in the UK to
receive the Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade this
year.
"That is a really credible position to be in. You are important
to Lincolnshire's economy, and a significant employer. Now you are
ready to develop the business further," he said.
Being granted a Queen's Award means that Dynex can fly the
Queen's Award flag and use the emblem on its packaging and
stationery for five years, sending out a clear message about
its international success.
President and CEO Dr Paul Taylor said the honour followed a long
period of hard work by staff who have been supported by investors,
customers, suppliers and the local community.
Over the past 10 years, Dynex had been hit by recession and
experienced many ups and downs, but in the process it had also
discovered and built on its strengths.
"Between 2006 and 2008 we saw a 67 per cent growth in the
business and a 90 per cent rise in exports. We also created
over 50 new jobs. Turnover has since risen by a further 20
per cent, 30 more jobs have been created and we have worked on many
projects," said Dr Taylor.
2008 marked a major milestone, when Hong Kong Stock
Exchange-listed Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric took a 75 per cent stake
in Dynex - forging a strong link with one of the world's
fastest-growing economies.
2010 is proving to be both exciting and dynamic. In May, Dynex
welcomed Zhao Xiaogang, a high ranking official from China's rail
industry, to Lincoln. Mr Zhao is chairman of the South China
Rolling Stock Corporation, the parent of Dynex's majority
shareholder.
Mr Zhao toured the company's new £12.5 million
fabrication facility and launched the first of two new silicon chip
production lines, which will mainly make components for use in
railway equipment.
Dr Taylor said the first of those lines is now operational and
the second is partially completed. Taken together the new lines
will increase the production of IGBT chips tenfold.
The CSR Times Electric Power Semiconductor R&D Centre is
also being created in Lincoln, thanks to further investment from
CSR. It will bring together Dynex and CSR talent, paving the way
for more leading edge products and technologies.