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For years, the manufacturing strategy at Plessey focused on one question: How do you take microLED technology from innovation to commercial scale? Today, that work continues, while a second question is shaping the company’ s next phase of growth: How do you build the manufacturing capabilities needed for the next generation of AI infrastructure?
For more than a decade, Plessey has built one of the UK’ s most advanced vertically integrated microLED semiconductor capabilities. Now, that platform is being applied to optical interconnects, technology designed to address one of the biggest challenges facing next-generation AI infrastructure: moving increasingly vast volumes of data quickly, efficiently and with lower power consumption. This next phase of growth is shaping everything from capital investment and recruitment to process development and facility expansion.
Since Haylo Labs acquired Plessey, the company has recruited more than 80 people to date across technical, manufacturing and operational roles, while continuing to invest in its Plymouth manufacturing capability through new tools and expanded technical capability. It has also opened an Oxford office to support the growth of its Optical Interconnect business and broaden access to specialist engineering and commercial talent.
Thomas Abbott, Operations Director, stands at the center of that activity. After nearly 13 years at Plessey, he has guided the business through multiple stages of growth, with his current role overseeing manufacturing, engineering, facilities, and factory performance.
Since the Haylo acquisition, Plessey has grown not only its manufacturing footprint, but the expertise behind it.“ We’ ve installed new equipment, upgraded facilities, and strengthened our technical teams,” says
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