Growing orders lead Flann to boost Bodmin workforce

A growing order book and plans for future development of the business means leading microwave engineering company Flann Microwave is to increase its workforce in Bodmin by 10 per cent.

With a current team of 60 based in Bodmin, Cornwall, Flann has grown over six decades to secure a global reputation and market leading position in the design and manufacture of precision microwave communications equipment, for example, in radar and to allow internet and mobile data to be carried between mobile phone masts or through satellite links.

The positive start to 2018 and a strong pipeline of future orders from customers around the world has led Flann to begin to add to their team at all levels of the business – from specialist microwave engineers to skilled machinists, operators and assemblers. The aim is to have a further six employees in the business by spring.

Professor James Watts, Chief Executive of Flann Microwave, said: “We are incredibly proud of the reputation enjoyed by Flann around the world for innovation, commitment to engineering expertise, attention to detail and customer service. It’s been the foundation of our success to date and is driving a growing global customer base not only looking for our standard products but increasingly to advise on very cialtad.com specific and bespoke design/manufacturing requirements.

“We have a strategy in place to build on this and to continue to grow the business and we are delighted to be in a position to increase the size of the team and to contribute to the wider economic success of Cornwall’s and the UK’s manufacturing base.”

With its roots in the development of radar during the Second World War, microwave and wave guide technology forms the backbone of the digital communications network and is a vital part of the infrastructure of modern day life.

Flann’s innovations have been pivotal in the development of mobile telephone networks, from the very inception of the technology through to the huge growth in mobile use over the last two decades and right up to ongoing research into the next generation 5G communications.

Flann also makes critical components and test equipment for waveguide-based applications as diverse as national air traffic control and airport security systems, traffic light radar sensors, collision avoidance technology for cars and secure communications networks.

The company serves customers in the telecoms, government, automotive, aerospace, defence and research sectors, exporting more than 80 per cent of production. It has also worked with UK and overseas government agencies to write many of the standards used in the industry.