Over the last two and a half years I have been involved in spinning out a solar cell manufacturing business from a technology incubator center, this has been an interesting but difficult gig, the stuff I have been involved with this gig is as below:
- Feasibility study of Solar Technologies as they are applied in the field, understanding the ultimate cost of energy for a variety of technologies.
- In depth review of the concentrated solar industry, system build, operations and manufacturing challenges and variety of technologies.
- Feasibility study of setting up a low to medium concentrator facility in the UK, Madrid, Asia.
- Developed financial models for all scenarios, modeling cost of product , cash flow, capex and running costs.
- Worked with the turnkey suppliers of solar cell manufacturing lines to develop project plans for the deployment of 20/40MW manufacturing lines , these are companies like Centrotherm, Rena, Oerlikon.
- Led on the acquisition of an existing solar cell manufacturing line in central Europe, and developed a plan to run insitu at it's present location.
- Led on the acquisition of the equipment only of the above solar cell manufacturing line, while finding a location in the UK to support the operation.
- Developed the supply chain for the operation, working with chemical and wafer suppliers, contract negotiated with the major wafer suppliers, like REC, LDK,NORSUN and other up and coming Asian suppliers.
- Led Business development and helped secure with the team over 20 new customers.
- Developed business plans and engaged with the Investment community to raise funding
- Helped promote the business at trade shows and conferences around the world
- Help to manage the research and manufacturing business unit that would have been the technology provider.
- Travelled over 200k miles economy, taken every form of transport available, eaten nearly every kind of food known.
- In my spare time researched and performed due diligence on Wind, Waste to energy projects in different regions of the world.
- The team was on average 1.5 to 2 people with the help of the odd friend and consultant
Why do I tell you all of this, this the minimum you will need to be prepared to do to get your business started, the hard part/fun part is when you actually see the money and start to build your company, have fun, feel free to catch up with me if you need any help, paid would be good, I have a lot of free custom already.
feel free to peruse my CV below:
Gordon Whyte
E-mail: gordonw63 at yahoo dot com
Executive Profile
Operations Management · Business development · System Implementation
I am a technically aware, dynamic, results-driven executive with a proven record of successfully developing and leading operations in cleantech and high-technology environments. Demonstrated accomplishments in early stage business development and new product introduction across a variety of markets. Change manager adept in startup, reengineering, and high-growth technology environments, Visionary planner and analytical problem solver with a “big picture” mentality. Strong leader adept at managing and motivating cross-functional teams. Excellent communication and relationship building skills. Experienced with developing outsourced manufacturing partners and strategic suppliers. Has over 15 years experience working with venture capital supported companies, both in Europe and North America, he has helped raise private equity funding for five early stage companies.
| · Operations Management · Quality Control · Continuous Improvement | · Process Reengineering · Lean Manufacturing · Systems Implementation | · Project Management · Project Outsourcing · Business Development |
Core Competencies include:
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Professional Experience
Whitestar Solar
Chief Operating Officer / General Manager
Responsible for the management of the research center, cell and module manufacturing, research and development, product engineering, evaluating solar technologies and analyzing there impact on the market with regards to cost of product sold, cell performance. Leading the commercialization of the research centers photovoltaic solar cell technology. Prepared the business plan for £20m investment and is engaging with the investment community. Working with various turnkey photovoltaic equipment suppliers to develop a new factory build project, worked with local authorities on selection of suitable manufacturing sites across the
Ø Preparing business plan for technology spin out, and presented to investors
Ø Establishing supply chain, negotiating key supply agreements.
Ø Leading sales and marketing function, developing customer base to 20 customers
Ø Evaluation and selection of production technologies for large scale manufacturing sites.
Ø Developed technology road map to develop next generation solar cell manufacturing.
Ø Improved production efficiencies by 25% and reduced product cost by 35%
Forth Dimension displays –
Director of Micro display operations
Responsible for manufacturing operations of micro-displays and sub-systems for helmet mounted and projection television applications. Restarted closed micro-display fabrication manufacturing foundry and established robust supply chain. Recruited management team and supporting operations team. Worked within a fabless semiconductor model to supply, develop new silicon backplane and asic driver devices for new products. Reduce customer returns by 40% and improved delivery performance by 50%. This role had extensive travel in
Key Achievements:
Ø Restarted the pilot manufacturing line
Ø Established high volume manufacturing partners for the microdisplay and drive electronics
Ø Implemented ISO 9001 and NPI strategy throughout the company wide.
Ø Negotiated supply agreements with major component suppliers
Ø Implemented SAP 1 for financial modeling and supply chain management.
Ø Restructured the operations to focused on head mounted display core business
Ø Secured funding from venture capital partners of £3m to support restructuring of business
Ø Responsible for continuous increased revenue for 15 months.
Ø Implemented ISO 9001 and NPI strategy, company wide.
rosebank technologies –
Chief Operation Officer
This was a short term project to set up an advanced semiconductor process development organization, using spin-on-glass based thick films and deliver a solution to a tier 1 semiconductor process equipment supplier. Responsible for operations, engineering and development functions. This was an opportunity to recover IP from the liquidated Terahertz Photonics an early stage photonic start-up.
Key Achievements:
Ø Developed business plan for organization and executed
Ø Secured access to business premises and negotiated low start overheads
Ø Led business development with Applied materials for process development project
Ø Secured SMART funding from Scottish Executive for proof of concept project
Ø Co-Authored a Patent on SOG for DTI / STI next generation semiconductors
LITTLE OPTICS, INC. –
Vice President of Operations
Direct day-to-day operations for this manufacturer of integrated optical ASIC’s for a diverse market covering biotechnology, communications, and the military. Define, develop, and execute manufacturing and outsourcing strategies leading towards a fabless manufacturing model. Oversee administration, human resources, facilities, and quality management. Develop and administer budgets. Monitor company wide projects. Manage and orchestrate wafer fabrication engineering and advanced process development teams. Manage all facets of product delivery. Serve as expert consultant for advanced packaging team. Developed and implemented company wide and outsourcing partner ISO 9001 quality programs. Managed senior operations management team and coached the founding staff. Present program progress to Board of Directors. I helped to raise $7 million in venture capital funding this allowed the organization to position it’s self to be acquired by Nomadics Plc and secure the future for the employees and return shared holders value. I could see my role disappearing as part off the acquisition, so I planned my return to the
Key Achievements:
Ø Developed and implemented process improvements to reduce operating costs 35%
Ø Established strategic outsourcing partnerships with a range of manufacturing companies
Ø Aggressively managed supply chain reducing consumable and raw material costs 30%
Ø Instituted and implemented low-cost manufacturing strategy, reducing design cycle time 25%
Ø Directly developed and implemented company wide budget control and planning policies.
Ø Developed an outsource manufacturing base for Wafer fabrication and Packaging services
Ø Secured venture capital funding of $7m
MICRO PHOTONIX INT. CORP. –
Director of Manufacturing
Managed organization wide operations across three manufacturing divisions for this producer of telecommunication sub systems of this venture capital funded buisness. Established and implemented world-class manufacturing facilities supporting production of lithium niobate integrated optical components and hybrid RF amplifiers and integrated modules. Oversaw implementation of Telcordia and ISO9001 quality programs. Recruited, hired, and managed operations, manufacturing, logistics, and engineering staff. MicroPhotonix was raising capital from the venture capital community just prior to the 9/11 terrorist attack in the
Key Achievements:
Ø Led design and implementation of four new products in 2001
Ø Successfully negotiated manufacturing licenses for advanced optical components.
Ø Secured manufacturing licenses worth $3m plus in revenues
Ø Supported funding activities raised $13m
Ø Brokered sale of assets and IP to overseas corporation
JDSU –
Senior Manufacturing Manager
Oversaw a wide range of manufacturing initiatives for this $24 million venture capital funded opto-electronic component company. Developed and executed production facility from R&D pilot line. Devised and executed process and production control systems. Recruited and developed wafer fabrication and component assembly teams. Led development for future generation of products supporting OC192 applications. I left this role to develop my career with experience of working in the
Key Achievements:
Ø Assembled teams and established processes to develop world-class manufacturing facility
Ø Led project to develop an efficient process capability, this included new process and equipment introduction, resulting in line yield improvement of 35%
Ø Led project team charged with wide-scale facility expansion/enhancement initiative; increased throughput 200% and component assembly 100%
Ø Supported IPO on the Alternative Investment Market
Ø Supported acquisition of company from IOC to SDL/ JDSU
THE TOWER –
Manufacturing Consultant
Established, developed and managed consultant firm. Developed and executed management and personal development programs. Led reengineering and change management projects supporting small- to medium- sized high-tech companies. Orchestrated and conducted team development courses.
SEAGATE MICROELECTRONICS- Shift Production Manager, 1993-1994
NEC SEMICONDUCTORS (
Served as key member of pre-production team charged with establishing innovative six-inch wafer fabrication facility in
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