By Kristy Dorsey
Precision laser manufacturer UnikLasers has embarked on a recruitment drive following its expansion into custom-designed premises on the western fringe of Edinburgh.
The move comes amid growing commercialisation of quantum technology research, which is used to underpin a variety of industries ranging from financial services and medical diagnostics to the defence and security sectors. All told, the global value of the quantum technology market is expected to reach $21.6 billion (£16.2bn) by 2025.
Set up in 2013, UnikLasers has increased staffing levels by half since the start of this year, and now employs 17 people. Further positions are to be filled before the end of 2020 across sales, marketing and engineering functions.
READ MORE: Edinburgh's UniKLasers secures six-figure funding
The company’s engineering staff are now working out of a new 5,500sq ft facility at Ratho Business Park that will allow the company to accelerate its manufacturing capacity. Where possible, all non-engineering staff continue to work from home according to Covid health guidance.
“Undertaking staff recruitment and relocation to the extent we have merely reflects the exhilarating opportunities that quantum technology will bring us in the coming years,” chief executive Alan Faichney said. “The development of our miniaturised laser products is an essential component for a myriad of quantum technology applications.”
READ MORE: Funding boost for Edinburgh precision laser firm
UnikLasers was founded by Professor Fedor Karpushko, who is now the company’s chief technology officer. He invented his first laser six years after that of American physicist Theodore Maiman, who devised the world’s first laser in May 1960.
The company has been supported by several rounds of funding through Par Equity, the Scottish Investment Bank and Innovate UK. Additional support has been provided by Scottish Enterprise, RBS and the Scottish Government.
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