Electronics firms in Cambridge benefit from "design culture"

Cambridge-based electronics firms are in ’good shape’ despite the present adverse economic conditions, it has been suggested.

Design consultancy firms in the city, including Cambridge Consultants, Sagentia, Plextek and Cambridge Design Partnership are doing well in the downturn, New Electronics reports.

As a whole, UK industry has been hit hard by the credit crisis, with access to bank financing limited and demand for goods and services slumping.

However, other factors are in Britain’s favour when it comes to attracting foreign sales and investment.

For example, the recent depreciation of the pound on global currency markets has made the prices of exports more competitive.

Speaking to the news source, Plextek managing director Colin Smithers said: ’The UK has a culture of design. It’s as strong - perhaps stronger - than other places and this flows from the strong base that has been developed over the last three or four decades.’

He added that the sector still faced some problems with employee training.

’We are having to ’home grow’ more than ever because we need skills that aren’t endowed when people leave university,’ Mr Smithers commented.

The UK electronics sector is worth £23 billion per year and employs around 250,000 people, figures cited by New Electronics show.ADNFCR-2318-ID-19282661-ADNFCR