The Business of ScienceÂŽ
Oxford Instruments
Building International University-Business Links
Tony Ford
Š Oxford Instruments 2011 - Confidential 1
The Business of ScienceÂŽ
Oxford Instruments 1st Spin out from
Sir Martin Wood Born in 1927 & studied engineering at Cambridge University. Founded Oxford Instruments in 1959 with his wife.
Š Oxford Instruments 2011 - Confidential 2
Our History
The Business of Science®
Promoted to FTSE 250 World’s first liquid helium free dilution refrigerator with an integrated high-field superconducting magnet
250
World’s first large area Silicon Drift Detector for SEMs Hand-held XRF analysers
Plasma etch & Deposition tools for semiconductor industry Floated on London Stock Exchange World’s first Superconducting MRI World’s first commercial superconducting magnet 1959
1969
1979
1989 © Oxford Instruments 2011 - Confidential 3
1999
2009
2011 …..
Diverse End Markets The Business of ScienceÂŽ
Š Oxford Instruments 2011 - Confidential 4
Sales The Business of Science®
Turnover in 2011 of £262.3m 1,900 people worldwide RoW,
Asia,
Europe,
A globally recognised brand > 90% of business outside the UK
North America,
© Oxford Instruments 2011 - Confidential 5
Origins and culture The Business of Science®
• • • • •
Martin Wood was an engineer in Physics department in Oxford In charge of designing and maintaining high magnetic fields Visiting researchers asked him to make similar equipment. Started the company in his garden shed Martin continued working at the University for the first 10 years • Æ Continued to build network of academics and users of equipment • Æ Quickly build up an international reputation • Æ Recognized the excellence of Japanese science & engineering ,.
• Maintaining close links with academics has been key to Oxford Instruments continuous growth. © Oxford Instruments 2011 - Confidential 6
Business of NanoScience The Business of Science®
• Leading
edge research equipment remains our key business. • Daily contact with academics • Continue to build networks with scientists. © Oxford Instruments 2011 - Confidential 7
The Business of ScienceÂŽ
OI NanoScience: Customers
Š Oxford Instruments 2011 - Confidential 8
The Business of Science®
Millennium Science Forum Sir Martin Wood Prize Established in 1998 Eligibility Specialise in Condensed Matter Science Perform research in a Japanese University or institute. Under 40 in year of Application The Prize ¥500,000 awarded at the Millennium Science Forum Opportunity for the winner to lecture at UK Universities Selection Usually 20 to 30 very high quality nominations for the prize Winner selected by originality, quality and impact of research © Oxford Instruments 2011 - Confidential 9
Research Collaboration The Business of Science®
Observations from Oxford Instruments many collaborations :-
• Networks and Proximity are important • Knowhow on inventions is the critical factor • Success of the collaboration is getting technology to market • Companies are attracted to high quality research groups.
© Oxford Instruments 2011 - Confidential 10
Research Collaboration The Business of Science®
• Starts with equipment development which benefits both parties • Japan has no barriers for foreign equipment suppliers • • •
---- Scientists simply want the best equipment for research Problems arise with mismatches between budget process and equipment development. The tender process is the same for commodities as it is for advanced equipment which requires joint development. --- This is a particular problem in Japan.
• Businesses need greater flexibility on the budget process.
© Oxford Instruments 2011 - Confidential 11