Micralyne develops and manufactures MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems)-based products for leading instrumentation companies worldwide.
More specifically, Micralyne's micron-scale solutions (i.e. 1000 microns = 1 millimetre) are the foundation of micro-nano systems and are today used for OEM customers in automotive sensors for control systems, optical switching technology in telecommunication networks, lab-on-a-chip devices for drug discovery, implantable drug delivery systems, and precise measurement devices for oil and gas exploration.
Customers are using micro-nano systems to develop products that have the potential to revolutionize our lives. This impact, however, is not possible if micro-nano systems cannot be manufactured in a cost effective manner and in volume. This is where Micralyne comes into play.
Because of Micralyne's manufacturing expertise and technical know-how, customers are able to bring their products to market, whether it's in the communications, transportation, energy or life sciences industry.
Micralyne is a profitable and growing company headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Customers include JDS-Uniphase, MicroCHIPS Inc., Kodak, Polychromix, and other market leaders. Registered as an ISO 9001:2000 company, Micralyne operates from a 50,000 square-ft facility in the Edmonton Research Park and currently employs over 170 people.
MARKET RESULTS
Micralyne has become one of the leading independent companies in the world focused on OEM MNS/MEMS manufacturing. Through the company's transition from a university-owned not-for-profit to a privately held corporation, Micralyne has generated over 19% annual growth in revenue from $1.7 million in 1994 to $17.5 million this last fiscal year (ending March 31, 2007). On average, Micralyne currently produces over $5 million in revenue per quarter and between fiscal year 04/05 and 06/07, Micralyne increased revenues over 50%. With this record revenue growth, Micralyne doubled its staff count from 82 to 175 staff in the past two years. This growth has made a significant impact on micro/nano development and manufacturing in Canada.
Throughout the 2006/2007 fiscal year, Micralyne won a variety of awards including the 2007 Alberta Venture Fast 50 list, landing in the #1 position for revenues under $20M, and Alberta's Top 25 Employers for 2007. Micralyne was also a runner up for the Best of Small Tech awards by Small Times, the Innovation & Leadership awards by CATA Alliance, and Canada's 50 Best Managed companies.
http://www.micralyne.com/news/awards.html
Micralyne has experienced growing global success over the last year.
Expanding its customer base further into the United States, Europe and Asia, Micralyne has cemented customer relationships with key companies in each of these markets. As an example, business in Japan has grown to 10% of overall revenues and Micralyne is now a supplier of micro-nano systems to 7 major companies in Japan, China and Thailand.
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION
Technological innovation and know-how are at the foundation of Micralyne's differential advantage. With an environment where innovation is encouraged, Micralyne has been able to create world-leading core competencies in several specialized fields including micromachining, thin film technologies, microfluidics, and MEMS assembly & test.
As an example of success, Micralyne was recognized for its innovative strengths in 2005 winning the Canadian Innovation Award for New Technology from the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters association, based on its groundbreaking Gold-Tin Solder electroplating technology.
This new technology has significant potential in the microelectronics and micro-nano systems field due to a variety of recent trends, such as the worldwide movement to remove lead from all solder in consumer microelectronic products. The opportunity for this innovative technology is significant as the electronic packaging industry is a $100 billion international market forecast to double in ten years. The need for a bonding technology, like Micralyne's gold-tin solder alloy plating, has the potential to impact several industries such as telecommunications, defense, consumer electronics, and life sciences (i.e. bio-friendly hermetic seals). http://www.micralyne.com/capabilities/products/ausn.htm
Another example of Micralyne's innovative strength is its collaboration with Polychromix (http://www.polychromix.com), a leading developer of innovative spectroscopy solutions. Micralyne and Polychromix are working together to develop MEMS NIR (near-infrared) devices, a core component in the Polychromix Phazir(tm) product line. The Polychromix Phazir(tm) combines Digital Transform Spectroscopy (DTS) with MEMS technology to reduce large, stationary analytical laboratory instruments into one handheld NIR analyzer that can identify materials directly at their source - the first of its kind in the industry. The MEMS devices, manufactured at Micralyne, can be mass-produced, resulting in low-cost reproducible products. In addition, the MEMS engine minimizes power usage and maximizes battery life. The Phazir(tm) can be used for a variety of applications, including:
- Forensics - analyze and identify crime scene evidence or narcotic white powder substances on-the-spot
- Inspection of incoming raw materials - test the quality or identity of incoming materials in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and chemical / petrochemical industries
- Recycling - sort petrochemical products, such as plastics and carpet, before reprocessing
- Agriculture - analyze the properties of crops, fruits, vegetables, and spices in the field to maximize quality and value
- Fraud identification - perform field inspections to determine original formulations from counterfeits, analyze and identify counterfeit drugs and fabrics With this innovative MEMS technology manufactured by Micralyne, the Polychromix Phazir is a cost-effective analytical tool for a variety of industries. The Phazir, as the first handheld NIR analyzer, introduces new value and cost savings to applications previously considered technically impossible.
INFLUENCING THE SMALL TECH INDUSTRY
As an independent MEMS foundry, Micralyne has proven it has created a successful business model. Micralyne has worked with over 300 OEM manufacturing customers, including start-ups, research institutions and large multi-national corporations, since 1982. These customers look to Micralyne for advice in transferring their microsystem products to manufacturing and for continuous process improvements. Customers trust Micralyne's established business model and in return, Micralyne delivers.
Since privatization in 1998, Micralyne has been profitable for 9 years.
No other independent MEMS foundry has achieved this level of success.
With revenues increasing 50% and staff levels doubling, Micralyne has proven the independent foundry business model can be successful with strong business practices and the right people.
As an established player in the micro-nano systems industry, Micralyne is undertaking a variety of initiatives that help support and grow the small tech industry. For example, Micralyne sponsors research at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary (over $400,000 annually) and sponsors the Canadian CMC Microsystems Design Award. This award seeks creativity in MEMS and micro-nano systems research and is open to university graduate students and faculty across the nation.
Micralyne also believes in giving back to the micro/nano community.
Chris Lumb (President & CEO) currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the National Institute for Nanotechnology in Edmonton, is Co-Chair of NanoMEMS Edmonton, and is Chairman of the Board of CMC Microsystems.
Micralyne employees are also providing leadership through active involvement within the international MEMS industry. For example, Bruce Alton (Vice President, Marketing & Business Development) is a member of the governing council of MIG (MEMS Industry Group). Other staff members play a key role in industry events through keynote addresses and sitting on various expert panels. This participation is an ongoing focus for Micralyne with future speaking engagements at Micromachine Summit 2007, the MEMS Industry Group METRIC 2007 Conference and 2007 MEMS Executive Congress.
IMPACT ON SOCIETY
Applications of micro/nano products manufactured at Micralyne that are driving significant innovations in all parts of society include:
- Optical switch components installed into telecommunication networks to facilitate the increase in Internet bandwidth to homes and businesses
- Bioanalysis instruments using microfluidic devices that detect the presence of diseases or analyze DNA from a blood sample. These miniature devices reduce the time to find a result from days down to minutes.
- A component within the pre-press equipment that prints most of the widely read, high gloss magazines in the world today.
- Control systems for automotive transmission and A/C systems
- Implantable drug delivery devices developed in collaboration with MicroCHIPS Inc. (http://www.mchips.com/). Micralyne and MicroCHIPS is developing a device that can be implanted into a human body and used to deliver particular drugs when activated by an outside source, like a remote control. This new technology is an important step for the effective implementation of therapeutic regimens. It also highlights the huge potential of using MEMS devices in the life sciences industry.
CONCLUSION
Micralyne has come a long way from its foundation as a university-owned not-for-profit group to a thriving profitable and globally competitive corporation. Micralyne has had a longstanding vision to become the world's leading independent microsystems manufacturer and is achieving this goal.
With a successful business model, Micralyne has consistently generated strong financial results in an industry known for high profile failures.
WTC (Wicht Technologie Consulting) recently released a market report on the "Top 10 MEMS Foundries" in the world. Based on contract manufacturing revenues for 2006, Micralyne ranked 4th, a clear indication that Micralyne is making an impact within the MEMS industry (http://www.wtc-consult.de/english/pr102.html). Without foundries like Micralyne, companies developing innovative micro-nano systems will not be able to translate their revolutionary ideas into reality.
With ongoing financial stability, Micralyne will continue to help its customers translate their MEMS concepts and designs into successful products that have the potential to benefit all parts of society around the world.
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