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problem-solving. The program quickly delivered higher yields, fewer bottlenecks and improved productivity, but the most significant change was cultural.“ Toyota taught us more than efficiency,” Strickland reflects.“ It gave our people confidence, the ability and permission to improve what they do every day.”
While AR and VR remain Plessey’ s core focus, the opportunities for its technology go much further. Automotive head-up displays and premium consumer electronics are immediate areas of expansion, but one of the most exciting frontiers is optical computing. By leveraging many of the same processes used in microLED fabrication, there is a real opportunity to develop processors that use light rather than electricity to handle data. This approach could unlock dramatic improvements in speed, efficiency and cooling, offering transformational benefits
for AI and high-performance computing and Plessey is positioning itself to play a role in making that future a reality.
In August 2025, the company entered a new chapter with its acquisition by Haylo Labs, a venture operator dedicated to catalyzing and accelerating the global microLED ecosystem. The acquisition brings fresh investment, with Haylo committing more than £ 100 million over the next five years to expand Plessey’ s capacity, double the workforce by 2034 and accelerate the company’ s move from innovation to mass production. For Haylo, the acquisition is about continuity as well as growth, building on Plessey’ s formidable heritage while positioning it for global leadership.
David Hayes, Co-Founder of Haylo Labs and now CEO of Plessey, describes it as a defining moment:“ Plessey has long been one of the UK’ s most important semiconductor companies. With Haylo’ s investment and support, we can accelerate
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