A high-tech Exeter-based business has received a super-fast boost after receiving internet vouchers from Exeter City Council.
Vytran, a division of American company Thorlabs inc, who specialise in making equipment for processing optical fibres for a range of industries, are hoping for further growth after receiving a broadband voucher under the Government’s Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme, which enabled them to have superfast broadband installed to their premises in Pynes Hill.
The company, which has been operating in Exeter since 1996, is one of only five organisations worldwide that have the technology which allows them to fuse optical fibre to the required high standard. The specialist equipment is used to provide support to a range of different industries, from telecoms, aeronautics, oil and gas and healthcare.
Vytran’s machines allow for any glass fibre material to be stripped, cleaned, cleaved, spliced and then recoated, with the specialist team at Vytran providing full pre sales support, applications development and a testing service before sending equipment off to the client. The intricacy of the process means that it cannot be performed manually, but instead relies on Vytran’s bespoke equipment, as some of the fibres are finer than a human hair.
The company’s specialist knowledge attracts business from across the globe and whilst Vytran engineers regularly travel to visit clients across the world and host international visitors, the internet plays a vital part in connecting them to their customers on a daily basis.
Founded in New Jersey, USA in 1989, Vytran’s Exeter office was set up in the mid-1990s and grew rapidly thanks to the ‘dotcom bubble’ of the late 1990s. They now have a specialist team of five after being acquired by American company Thorlabs in 2015 and are looking to recruit more staff in the near future.
As well as providing support services to companies across the world, Vytran also export their unique machines across Europe, allowing companies to splice their own optical fibre. Their international business links and being a division of an American company means Vytran rely heavily on efficient and fast broadband.
Service Manager Iain Duff said: “We connect with customers and providers across the globe on a regular basis, not to mention with our colleagues in America, so slow internet service can be a real hindrance to our day to day operations.
He continued: “When we realised we were able to get funding from the City Council for superfast broadband we were very pleased, it seemed ironic that a company dealing with fibre optic cables might struggle with internet connectivity! The difference it has made to our business is absolutely phenomenal, we are able to connect with clients and colleagues much faster, allowing us to continue servicing and supplying internationally even more efficiently. We are also hoping to increase our contracts now as a result of our work being more efficient, which means we can take on more staff too.”
The Connection vouchers, which were provided by Exeter City Council, allowed Vytran to receive a new high speed internet connection from Virgin Media Business, with installation from Exeter-based Taurus Clearer Communication.
Maureen Gori de Murden, Senior Economy & Tourism Officer at Exeter City Council said: “Vytran are one of many companies flying the flag for Exeter on the international stage by providing world leading technology to a whole host of different industries, all from their offices at Pynes Hill.
She continued: “The Council is always looking to support innovative companies in and around the city, and Vytran are just one of more than 150 companies we have been able to help with the Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme. It’s fantastic to see that as a result, Vytran and other firms are continuing to thrive in Exeter.”
Government funding for the Broadband Connection Voucher scheme has now ended. Exeter businesses will be informed of any further allocation of funding in the future.
For more information about Vytran visit www.vytran.com. For more information about relocating a business to Exeter, visit www.investinexeter.co.uk or follow @investinExeter.
