Wales is already home to some of the most advanced high-tech manufacturing in the world. Unfortunately, we keep this highly secretive from the public and never shout about it.
For instance, we have IQE Plc in Newport; a Welsh home-grown, silicon chip manufacturer. This company is an amazing world leader in compound semiconductor manufacturing, exporting over 90% of its products to the world’s technology manufacturers.
In addition, we have some of the great aerospace, pharmaceutical, software and super-tech defence industries who can all compete on the global stage.
We have fantastic top-notch universities, attracting students from all over the world to upskill themselves and carry out research to benefit their home industries.
Sadly, the vast majority of the tech-based research students are from outside the UK. Unfortunately, the UK government provides very little encouragement and support for our talented British students to continue their studies to PhD research level. This has resulted in an unacceptable level of knowledge transfer from the UK to some of the less trustworthy companies and nations, which can potentially be a threat to national security.
The UK used to compete on the world stage in regards to advanced technology-based industries. We had great brands such as STC, Plessy Electronics & Telecoms, GEC, Marconi, Racal Electronics, Ferranti Electronics & Defence to name but a few.
Nearly all our high-tech manufacturing was completely neglected and allowed to be destroyed or acquired by other nations. This great historic national shame happened during the 1980s and 1990s. We have now no choice but to start again rebuilding our tech manufacturing.
The public and large corporate procurement strategy of purchasing goods from abroad because they are cheap has got to stop. This procurement culture has devastated our manufacturing. To be absolutely frank, we will find it difficult to compete with nations that abuse and exploit their environment and workforce in order to produce cheaper products.
The Welsh government can and should take on a leadership role and create an industrial strategy that makes Wales the high-tech manufacturing power house for the UK.
We must actively encourage and support the Welsh universities to collaborate very closely with our locally based technology companies. “Made in Wales” has to be the ultimate objective of the Welsh government in regards to its industrial strategy.
There should be financial support for our talented Welsh students wishing to continue their post-graduate research as long as their work will assist Welsh tech companies.
Welsh universities must be supported if they have a valid innovative research project that will benefit Welsh high-tech manufacturing.
Welsh public procurement culture has to be radically updated to support the Welsh indigenous high-tech manufacturers.
Promoting “Made in Wales” has to be a key priority objective for the Welsh government.
Making Wales a Technology heartland for the UK will create a well-paid, high-skilled workforce, increase our export and create a more prosperous Wales.
