Milton Business & Science Park Oxfordshire Blog

Oxfordshire Space Company Shines Brightly

2012-02-09T02:58:00.000-08:00

One of Oxfordshire’s best kept science secrets, the little known Culham based space hardware company ABSL Space Products, has made a significant breakthrough with its novel imaging system, known as LIDAR. Although ABSL is developing the technology primarily for space use - to allow space probes to land more safely and navigate a planet’s surface - LIDAR has a huge range of possible applications back here on earth that directly affect our day to day lives. When LIDAR is air-borne or even mounted on a satellite looking at the earth, it can be used to monitor our world in impressive detail. Its ability to very accurately measure the height of the land will be of use in earthquake zones to assess the impact of a quake, for example. The challenge of accurately tracking large scale problems such oil slicks, de-forestation and land use patterns is possible.

The system works by shooting out a laser beam which is rapidly steered by a moving mirror in order to map the landscape ahead – in much the same way a TV picture is built up by shooting a scanning beam of energy at the back of the tube.

After shooting the laser beam, the system then looks for reflected light bouncing back. Although the reflected light is extremely weak, by using sophisticated electronics and software, ABSL’s LIDAR can work out how far away an object is and even the surface details of an object. By changing the colour of the laser it’s even possible to work out what the laser has been shown through – a powerful tool for monitoring atmospheric pollution and CO2 levels.

Ultimately, the company believes the technology could be made small and cheap enough to allow vehicles to automatically prevent collisions – and even permit robots to better understand their environment and interact with us.

The recent breakthrough developments however were made possible by the assistance of MEPC at Milton Park. ABSL needed an indoor area big enough to refine and test their system and MEPC Milton Park kindly agreed to the use of one of their largest warehouses; Building 188 (69,000 sq ft) which is currently available to let. “This is a great example of local business working together”, said Mike Lawton, ABSL’s Business Development Manager. “Without the support of Milton Park, just a couple of miles away from us, we certainly would not have our LIDAR system developed to stage we’re currently at”.

James Dipple, Managing Director of MEPC Milton Park’s “Milton Park has a reputation for being home to and supporting some of the most exciting science and technology companies in the UK. This partly due to the way in which we are always willing to assist businesses, whether they are currently a customer or not. Offering one of available warehouses for this project allowed ABSL progress their development and is a genuine example of how MEPC can go beyond the normal role of a landlord to help companies."

Ansys Expands at Milton Park

2011-12-12T00:29:00.000-08:00

ANSYS, a leading provider and innovator of engineering simulation software, has expanded its operation at MEPC Milton Park.

ANSYS has acquired the ground floor of 97 Milton Park, which extends its quarters to approximately 12,203 sq ft.

Michael Price, Senior IT Manager Europe for ANSYS, said: “We outgrew our premises in the West Central 127 development of the park, but we knew we wanted to remain onsite. MEPC was helpful and considerate of our requirement for increased space, and facilitated our move.”

Philip Campbell, Head of Leasing and Development for MEPC Milton Park, added: “At Milton Park we value customers such as ANSYS, and we have worked closely with them to deliver a solution which meets their needs and can accommodate their growth. We are delighted that they chose to stay with us at Milton Park and move into 97. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with them in the future.”

The upper two floors of 97 Milton Park are leased to Neftex Petroleum Consultants Ltd and Kaspersky Lab UK Ltd. The building is now fully let.

Milton Park Welcomes Enterprise Zone Status

2011-12-12T00:28:00.001-08:00

MEPC is delighted to announce that Milton Park, one of Europe’s largest business and science estates, is to secure enterprise zone status as part of the Science Vale Gateway Zone after a successful bid by the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The Science Vale Gateway Zone has been named by the government as one of its ten new enterprise zones across the UK. Plans for 21 nationwide enterprise zones were originally set out in the March budget to boost economic growth and bids to host one of the zones were submitted by 30 local groups, made up of council and business leaders.

James Dipple, managing director for MEPC Milton Park, said: “We welcome the news that this area has received the appropriate recognition as one of the local enterprise zones, which can best deliver the government's objectives for the economy.

“We have the infrastructure, the assets and the ability to drive increased growth over the next five years. Creating jobs is at the forefront of our agenda and is the primary reason for the government selecting regions for the enterprise zone status. As well as the direct employment benefits of the new status, we expect to see wider knock-on job creation as the local community expands to support the increased business occupation.”

The enterprise zone bid aims to create 8,400 jobs by 2015 within the Oxfordshire LEP region and support the development of Oxfordshire’s skills strategy by creating new apprenticeship opportunities.

South Oxfordshire has an enduring entrepreneurial culture with some of the most innovative businesses in the UK located in the region. Growth in the bio-science cluster has been strong, even during the recession, and companies in the SME sector are expanding.

James Dipple, managing director for MEPC Milton Park, continued: “The enterprise zone will allow us to attract more international investment and help our smaller companies grow and be more competitive in the global marketplace.The Science Vale Gateway Zone now has the catalyst to exploit the potential of its location and its existing concentration of specialised science and technology skills.”

Milton Park Innovation Centre Experiences Record Month

2011-12-12T00:27:00.001-08:00

The Innovation Centre based at Milton Park, one of Europe’s largest business and science estates, has experienced a record month with 14 company moves – equating to a move nearly every two days.

Between 10 June and 10 July 2011, the Milton Park Innovation Centre has attracted eight new companies onsite, while three organisations have chosen to relocate within the centre and a further three businesses have graduated to other premises on the Milton Park estate.

James Dipple, managing director for MEPC Milton Park, said: “The Innovation Centre acts as the perfect incubator for fledgling companies. Start-up businesses are given the support to succeed and expand to other offices on the Milton Park estate. Our strategy is to encourage start-up and small businesses to operate in an environment which allows them to focus on their own corporate goals while we take care of their premises. In turn, this strategy provides us with a steady stream of companies who need to expand into other office locations on our estate.”

Milton Park Innovation Centre provides state-of-the-art small to medium sized offices for entrepreneurs, start-up and growing companies. Businesses located at the centre benefit from professional infrastructure, business support and a community of like-minded businesses to network with. The Innovation Centre is managed by Oxford Innovation, a leading operator of innovation and business centres across the UK.

Claresys Ltd, a developer of unique lenses for surveillance and vision systems, has recently moved from the Innovation Centre into other premises on the Milton Park estate.

Andy McLeod, CEO of Claresys Ltd, said: “One of the reasons we originally chose Milton Park as the location for our business was due to the range of flexible accommodation it has to offer, with the Innovation Centre being the ideal starting point.

“We are now recruiting to double our existing headcount, increasing our investment in assembly and test facilities and resourcing a major new contract. We required a purpose built facility to accommodate our current and future growth and Milton Park has configured and equipped a bespoke office and laboratory for us in the Science Campus. Our employees are very happy working at Milton Park and it is an attractive location for our new staff to work.”

The Innovation Centre is currently 81% occupied with 36 companies in the centre and 15 virtual businesses. This equates to 25% of the occupiers on the Milton Park estate.

Offices to Rent Oxfordshire

2011-10-13T00:37:00.000-07:00

Milton Park Oxfordshire has a number of offices available to rent on our Oxfordshire business park including:

Innovation Centre Serviced Offices - 85 sq ft to 1,100 sq ft

Serviced offices with a range of support services
State-of-the-art building for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses
Meeting and conference facilities available
Managed by Oxford Innovation - www.miltonpark-ic.co.uk

The Quad - 407 sq ft to 2,058 sq ft

Tranquil courtyard development with pleasant outlook
Newly refurbished with fully-fitted options
Flexible modern accommodation, ability to combine units
Car parking

185 Milton Park - 709 sq ft to 3,338 sq ft

Cost effective
Covered walkway
Ideal start-up space
Car parking

Washed, Ironed and Hung for just 99p!

2011-10-13T00:35:00.000-07:00

Purple Label, the award winning dry cleaning company which has recently moved to new units at 154A Milton Park, has introduced a great new offer - just for those of us who work on Milton Park.

For only 99p, we can now have our shirts washed, ironed and hung. So we get to save 66% off the standard price of £2.95 with free collection and delivery too. Purple Label has been on Milton Park since 2002 and has a unique philosophy in their industry which combines the highest standards of quality with exceptional customer service.

This exclusive offer must end by 31 October 2011.

Interview with James Dipple

2011-10-13T00:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the next video in the James Meets series. This month James Dipple, Managing Director for MEPC Milton Park, meets Jon Rees, CEO of OBN.

Click on the image or the link below to watch the full interview.

Watch the video here

Give Blood At The Milton Park Innovation Centre

2011-08-11T03:07:00.000-07:00

The next blood donation session is on Wednesday 17 August 2011 at the park’s Innovation Centre.

The session times are as follows:

* 10h10 – 12h30
* 13h45 – 16h30

To book an appointment, please call 0300 123 23 23 or visit: www.blood.co.uk

You can now download a poster to display in your communal staff areas to encourage people to donate.

To download the poster, please click here.

P2i Crowned Most Innovative Company In Europe

2011-08-11T03:05:00.000-07:00

P2i, the world leader in liquid repellent nano-coating technology, which has its global headquarters in Milton Park, near Abingdon, has won an International Stevie Award for 2011’s ‘Most Innovative Company in Europe’ at the 2011 International Business Awards (IBAs).

‘Most Innovative Company in Europe’ was awarded to P2i in recognition of how the company’s revolutionary technology challenges the way people think about everyday conventional liquid protection. For example, in just two years Aridion™, P2i’s liquid repellent nano-coating for electronics has revolutionised the reliability of hearing aids, to the extent that one manufacturer has reported a 50% reduction in corrosion and moisture related damage. Now working with four of the six leading hearing aid manufacturers, P2i’s Aridion™ technology has been applied to more than four million devices worldwide.

Carl Francis, CEO at P2i, comments: “We have a highly innovative, fast growing and scalable business which is based on proprietary and game-changing technology. Innovation is part of our corporate DNA, so we are extremely proud to receive this prestigious award.

“Originally developed to protect military clothing against chemical warfare, our liquid repellent nano-coating is now applied throughout five key sectors: Electronics, Lifestyles, Life Sciences, Filtration and Energy, Military and Institutional. We are building on our cutting edge technology in liquid repellency by moving into anti-microbial, anti-scratch, anti-stain and other functional nano-coatings as well.”

International Stevie Award winners were selected from more than 3,000 entries received from organisations and individuals in more than 40 nations. Winners were determined through two rounds of judging by 200 professionals worldwide. The Awards will be presented at a gala event on Tuesday 11 October in the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

“Entries to the International Business Awards grew by more than 80% this year, and that illustrates the increasing importance of the IBAs worldwide,” said Michael Gallagher, president of the Stevie Awards. “We congratulate all of the winners, and we look forward to recognising them for their achievements at our gala event.”

Warehouse / Distribution Unit Oxfordshire

2011-06-22T05:45:00.000-07:00

180 Milton Park, Warehouse / Distribution Unit in Oxfordshire

Fantastic location next to the A34 and within easy reach of the M4 and M40
Less than 2 hours HGV drive time of Birmingham and the East Midlands, Southampton, Bristol and London
Milton Park is already home to Bookpoint, iForce, Simon Hegele, TNT and UPS
Unrivalled estate security

The Wood Shop

2011-06-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

Recently you may have noticed a new sign for “The Wood Shop” on the park. It’s a simple name for a really interesting business. The Wood Shop is run by Oxford Wood Recycling, a social enterprise that hates waste.

In the shop they sell used wood that they have collected from local businesses. Step inside and you’ll find a real Aladdin’s cave of construction timber, plywood, beading, reclaimed doors and gates and plenty of interesting pieces often with their own history as well as firewood and kindling. It’s the perfect place to find timber for allotments, outbuildings, fencing and animal shelters and it’s a great source of old scaffolding boards – ideal for making raised beds.

However, there is more to Oxford Wood Recycling than just the Wood Shop. As a social enterprise it offers work experience and employment to people who face severe barriers to employment. It was the potential social and environmental benefits of the business that persuaded MEPC Milton Park to support Oxford Wood Recycling to start up in 2005, and the relationship remains strong. In 2010 Oxford Wood Recycling was awarded the title of European Social Firm of the Year for work in supporting people back to work. When you source your wood from the Wood shop you’ll be supporting a really worthwhile venture.

The team in the Wood Shop enjoy helping people find just what they need for the job in hand and they know about wood. Take time to wander about and explore the racks or simply ask the experts for their advice, they’ll even cut timber to size and deliver if necessary. Next time you need some wood, stop by and take a look.

The Wood Shop is at unit 46a. See www.oxfordwoodrecycling.org.uk
Open from 08h30 – 17h00 Monday to Friday and from 09h00 until 13h00 on Saturdays.

Milton Village Fete 2011

2011-06-22T05:40:00.000-07:00

You are invited to come along and enjoy the 2011 Milton Village Fete, traditionally known as the Milton Tadpole Feast, on Saturday 25 June between 14h30 and 17h00 in the Visto Field.

With financial support from MEPC and The Daily Mail, on the day there will be:

* Tea tent
* Pub open
* Barbecue
* Aunt Sally
* Tombola
* Welly wanging
* Putting bowls
* Hook-a-duck
* Lucky dip
* Skittles
* Pony rides
* Coconut shy
* Crossbows plate smashing
* Bottle stall
* Grand raffle
* Children’s races
* Tug-o-war
* Live music set
* Maypole dancing

To download a poster for your office, please click here.

Bank Of England 2011 Forecast

2011-05-18T02:08:00.000-07:00

MEPC Milton Park, supported by the Bank of England and HSBC Banking, invite you to a private, off the record view from the Bank of England focusing on the next 18 months economic outlook.

This will be followed by input from HSBC Banking on the possible implications for sterling and interest rates. There will be an opportunity for your questions on these subjects to be answered after the presentation.

Timing

Thursday 26 May 2011

07h30 – Breakfast and registration
08h15 – Event commences
09h00 – Q&A
10h00 – Networking
10h15 – Close

Venue

Milton Park Innovation Centre, 99 Milton Park, OX14 4RY.

Cost

The seminar is free of charge, but places are limited.

Register

To reserve your place, email Lauren Whelan on lwhelan@mepc.com or call 01235 865555.

P2i Wins Best Of Show At Audiology NOW!

2011-05-18T02:07:00.000-07:00

Milton Park occupier P2i, the world leader in liquid repellent nano-coating technology, has received a prestigious “Best of Show” award from the American Academy of Audiology for its show-stopping booth at AudiologyNOW! 2011.

Voted for by the show’s attendees based on two criteria – creativity and innovation in design – P2i’s distinctive open-plan booth featured the new compact Aridion™ 8 nano-coating system, an interactive hologram, multiple screens with videos showcasing the technology, and a water wall – providing an unforgettable experience for visitors. Themed around the quote by Arthur C. Clarke, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”, the booth also hosted P2i’s very own magician, whose tricks prepared visitors to see first-hand the revolutionary repellency effects of Aridion™.

“The striking design of the booth, combined with the strong interactive elements, really distinguished our exhibit from the competition. Since our award was determined by attendees’ votes, we feel we succeeded in providing our visitors with something that was both interesting and memorable,” says Ellen Zimmer, marketing manager at P2i.

“We were particularly pleased to use the booth and AudiologyNOW! 2011 to unveil Aridion™ 8, our new compact nano-coating system, designed specifically to address the needs of smaller hearing aid manufacturers and dispensers.”

Carl Francis, CEO of P2i, comments: “We are delighted to have been awarded Best of Show at AudiologyNOW! 2011. While this win is no doubt a reflection of the great booth and team we fielded this year, it also underscores the wide acceptance and market share growth that P2i's Aridion™ technology has achieved across the whole of the hearing aid industry in just two short years.

“As of this month, four million hearing aid users worldwide are benefiting from unbeatable protection against corrosion damage thanks to Aridion™.”

The Aridion™ liquid repellent nano-coating technology transforms conventional levels of reliability, substantially reducing warranty failure and repair costs, and ultimately increasing user confidence. It is applied using a special pulsed ionised gas (plasma), which is created within a vacuum chamber, to attach a nanoscopic polymer layer – one thousand times thinner than a human hair – to the hearing aid. This dramatically lowers the product's surface energy, so that when humidity or sweat come into contact with it, they form beads and simply roll off.

Plus, because Aridion™ can coat every aspect of a finished product at the nanoscopic level, it protects much more thoroughly than alternative approaches where individual product components are treated prior to assembly. The result is a truly durable liquid repellent coating that does not affect the product's look, feel or delicate acoustic properties.