Pace plc
Freitag, 20 März 2009
Digital technology developer Pace creates innovative digital TV solutions for most of the world’s largest payTV companies, using Yorkshire and Humber’s specialist technology resources.
Partnerships with the region’s universities have helped Pace develop products and be at the forefront of digital TV technology. It is the third largest designer and producer of set-top boxes for digital TV in the world, and Pace’s pioneering products and innovations include digital set-top boxes for satellite, cable and IP (Internet Protocol) TV, home network packages, HDTV (High Definition TV) technologies, wireless solutions and most recently products to distribute digital TV around multi-dwelling buildings such as apartment blocks and hotels.
Home to over 13,000 electronics, ICT and media companies, Yorkshire and Humber is the fastest growing digital sector in the UK outside London. Renowned for its excellence in producing next generation technologies, the region has a wealth of expertise and cutting-edge innovation in games development, e-learning, electronics, new media and convergent technologies.
With around 40 per cent of the region’s university students studying science and technology subjects, some of the most talented, forward thinking graduates in the UK make up a large proportion the region’s digital talent pool. The high concentration of world-class universities also offers businesses in Yorkshire and Humber access to around 100 research and product design facilities and many collaboration opportunities.
Pace has benefited from working with the Universities of Leeds and Bradford through the government’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership in order to enhance its competitive advantage through innovation in engineering techniques.
Further collaboration with the University of Leeds, which is one of the top ten universities for research in the UK, has enabled Pace to tap into some of the best minds working with technological advances, through the funding of PhD courses. This activity has recently been extended to the University of York. Darren Fawcett, chief technologist - wireless systems at Pace explains: “Pace is at the forefront of digital TV innovations and working with universities in the region has enabled us to expand our research into new areas. Combined with our own research and development activities, this is giving us both breadth and depth in the exploration of new generations of digital TV, encompassing internet, broadband and broadcast technologies.
“We have offices all over the world, but having our headquarters in Saltaire, near Bradford, is ideal. The local area is thriving, and we are at the heart of the ‘Airedale corridor’ – Yorkshire’s answer to Silicon Valley. Being able to collaborate with regional development agencies and design centres such as Yorkshire Forward and ADI has been a valuable factor in driving Pace’s global success.”