SPTS Technologies, an Orbotech company and a supplier of advanced wafer processing solutions for the global semiconductor and related industries, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation 2018.

The award recognises Newport-based SPTS’s development of novel 'physical vapor deposition' process solutions for Fan-Out Wafer Level Packaging (FOWLP) of semiconductor devices.

Some of the advanced features and functionality developed for SPTS’s 300mm Sigma fxP PVD system was made possible with funding assistance from a Welsh Government R&D grant.

Kevin Crofton, corporate executive vice president at Orbotech and president of SPTS Technologies, which is based at the Coldra, said: “We are extremely proud to be recognised with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.

“We provide advanced wafer processing equipment to the world's leading semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturers, and an ongoing programme of research and development coupled with our ability to commercialise our innovation has been key to building and sustaining a profitable business.

"This award belongs to our entire global organisation – from those directly involved in the development of our advanced PVD solutions for the fast growing FOWLP application sector, to those who sold, manufactured, installed and supported the many 300mm Sigma systems that we’ve shipped into our customer base.”

He said: “The success of our wafer processing solutions for advanced packaging is a testament to the quality and competitiveness of UK developed technologies and products in the global markets.

"We are also very pleased to share credit for this award with the Welsh Government which demonstrated its commitment with the R&D grant that helped fund this and other advanced packaging development programmes here at SPTS.”

Economy secretary Ken Skates said: “Huge congratulations to SPTS on winning another Queens Award for Enterprise and Innovation. SPTS is a prominent global business in south east Wales and an increasingly successful exporter, and this prestigious award is a well-deserved recognition of the company’s hard work and innovation.

“The Welsh Government is proud to work with dynamic and forward thinking companies such as SPTS and we are pleased to have supported the company’s project to design and develop advanced packaging processes for semiconductors.

"There is no doubt that companies like SPTS are increasingly vital to our economy which is why my Economic Action Plan, which was published in December, seeks to support businesses to innovate, introduce new products and services and rise to the challenges of the future,” he said.

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards, given only to companies or individuals who are outstanding in their field.

Previously known as the Queen’s Awards to Industry, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise were introduced in 1966 to acknowledge businesses with outstanding performance in three categories – international trade, innovation and sustainable development. The awards are open to any company operating in the UK and are announced annually on April 21, The Queen’s birthday.