Xaar employees reflect on 35 years of innovation

1990 was a momentous year. Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in prison. The first series of The Simpsons aired on American TV. Tim Berners-Lee launched the world’s first web page.

Meanwhile, closer to home, a start-up was founded that would change how the world saw inkjet technology.

35 years later, Xaar is seen as a pioneer in inkjet technology with a global reputation for innovation.

This success would be impossible without the many people who have made it happen. Here, in their own words, is why Xaar continues to be a source of inspiration.

Angus Condie, Director of Technology: When I started in 1996, I was employee number 42, so we have certainly come a long way since! We have grown from a small development company selling licenses, to a manufacturing company, to a customer-centric printhead company – all the way from a relatively small group of people in Cambridge leading the way in developing industrial inkjet technology.

Andrew Moule, Senior Project Manager: I love the culture at Xaar – everyone is so knowledgeable, approachable, and driven to work together to make both the working environment and our products the very best that they can be.

Richard Slack, Senior Process Engineer: When I came for my first interview, everyone I saw around the building, including the cleaners, seemed to have a smile on their face and a spring in their step. I love that you can have a corridor chat with anyone across the business as an equal, without any barriers.

Robin Hough, Senior Engineer: Whilst at Xaar, I’m proud to have had many opportunities to contribute to the way we build our printheads, and design equipment to be used in production or improving the processes we are running.

Angus: My favourite part of working at Xaar is collaborating with great people to develop new technology, and then seeing that technology working in action for our customers. We are fortunate that we can convert our ideas into products that genuinely make a difference to our customers.

Renzo Trip, Principal Engineer: When I first started at Xaar, I was asked to support a research institute project involving a printhead mounted on a robotic arm. To see Xaar printheads now painting cars eight years later is fantastic!

Richard: The best part of my job is the challenge of starting a new project, be that a new measurement program or an improvement to an existing process. I love gathering the information required to get started and the excitement of something new to get stuck into.

Michael Walsh, Chief Product Architect: I recall driving to Huntingdon and cars being parked all over the business park – almost all belonging to staff working in the cleanroom, making around 400 Xaar printheads per day! 

Robert Ison, Application Engineering Manager: I fondly remember the weeks and weeks spent working in Sweden, transferring the manufacturing there alongside a handful of colleagues, with all of us pulling in the same direction to get stuff done. We even shared accommodation, each taking on our own tasks to keep things running smoothly, whether it was making the first cup of tea in the morning, doing the food shopping, cooking dinner, washing up, or taking out the bins. And of course, the great laughs we had in the evenings over a few drinks.

Mario Massucci, Research Scientist: During lockdown, I remember a close-knit group of us manned the lab in the Science Park building and between us, we were able to keep major projects on track as well as enable other members of the team to make meaningful contributions while they worked remotely.

Michael: All of our competitors now have products mimicking Xaar’s technology, to try and prove that they have a reliable printhead, too! They can wish…

Simon Allen, Product Support Supervisor: I have seen lots of changes to Xaar over the years, but the one constant along the way has been the amazing people that I’ve had the privilege to work with, some for only a few months and others for the entirety of my career so far. A business is only as good as the people it employs, and it’s clear that Xaar has been blessed with dedicated, collaborative and innovative individuals.

Kieran Croft, Head of Manufacturing: What makes Xaar special is the genuine opportunities for growth and development. I have seen people grow their careers from joining Xaar as production operators to advancing into roles in almost every department across the business at various levels. It’s inspiring to see and is a true reflection of Xaar’s commitment to investing in its people and promoting from within.