Steve Norman promoted at Southampton Photonics

A SPI Southampton Photonics product story

Edited by the Laboratorytalk editorial team Feb 22, 2002

Appointed as vice president of operations and engineering in recognition of success in setting up new speciality fibre manufacturing facility

In-fiber optic components and subsystems vendor Southampton Photonics (SPI) has promoted Dr Steve Norman to vice president, operations and engineering, in recognition of his accomplishments in bringing SPI's products from the laboratory into production and his contribution to setting up the company's new speciality fibre manufacturing facility.

This facility has been built to provide Southampton Photonics with the in-house capability to make virtually all types of fibers needed for its high performance optical components and sub-systems.

Based near Southampton, UK, the new facility is fundamental to the company's business plan, as it gives full control over its manufacturing operation.

Prior to his promotion, Steve Norman was director of UK operations, and previously spent over 20 years at Pirelli.

SPI's products are all based on its Application Specific Fibre Platform which is heavily dependent upon its world-class fibre expertise.

Thanks to Dr Norman and his team, SPI now has the most up-to-date drawing facility in the specialty fibre industry, where demand is expected to grow from $239 million in 2000 to $4.38 billion in 2010, according to analyst Electronicast.

"The ability to manufacture speciality fibre was a crucial element of our business plan, right from the start," said Don Spalinger, senior vice president and co-founder of Southampton Photonics.

"The team that brought this project to fruition, led by Steve Norman, is one of the most experienced in the world," he continued.

"As VP operations and engineering, we expect Steve's enormous experience will continue to prove invaluable in the successful commercialisation of SPI's in-fibre technology." With over 20 years of experience in the commercialisation of fibre and photonic products, Norman began his career at the University of Southampton's Optoelectronic Research Center (ORC), doing his early work on MCVD (Modified Chemical Vapour Deposition) technology.

Four years later, Norman transferred the ORC's speciality fibre making processes to Pirelli and led its optical systems technology development team, expanding the work to include the large-scale manufacture and deployment of optical cables.

In the early 80s, Norman was responsible for integrating and implementing the transfer of VAD technology, a high performance/high productivity fibre-manufacturing process developed in Japan, to Pirelli's UK operations, establishing a volume production manufacturing plant.

The highly successful operation required mastery of the techniques and nuances of two entirely different companies, countries, and cultures, and then identifying, training and building a new manufacturing team.

Norman went on to run the factory before becoming Pirelli's chief engineer in the UK, where he directed the implementation of many products.

During his more than 20 years at Pirelli in optical fibre communications, Norman worked his way up from project manager to chief engineer, telecommunications, and finally director of engineering and quality.

Norman holds a PhD in optical fiber communications technology and a BSc in mechanical engineering, both from the University of Southampton.

He is a Fellow of the IEE and was twice awarded the (annual) IEE Electronics Division Prize for the work done at the ORC on fibre technology and single mode fibre development.