CleanTech.Org

In search of my next project, experienced in Silicon Concentrator technology, cell, module and system, if you are working in this sector I can help, get in touch.


I am an entrepreneurial senior operations executive with broad experience in General, Operational and Change Management of which more than 14 years at senior international level. I have managed multi-disciplined teams delivering complex projects worldwide in high technology based businesses, including multinational and start up businesses. I have selected and managed sub-contract manufacturing partners, utilizing low cost countries, (including semiconductor foundries, PCB board manufacturing, discrete active components, displays, sub assemblies), I have introduced new products from feasibility study through to commercialization with supporting cost reduction and product reliability programs in place, within an aggressive time to market and budgetary framework and have managed multi-site operations and where necessary rationalized operations to meet the businesses strategic short term and long term objectives. I have raised investment through Venture Capital, Government funding, sectors experienced in, Semiconductors, Cleantech / Solar, Display, training and simulation systems for military and air force, bio-technology, Telecom. Over the last three years I have been involved in spinning out a solar cell manufacturing business from a technology incubator center, this has been an interesting project, the key activities I have been involved with this are summarized 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 over a 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
* Promoted the business at trade shows and conferences around the world



Gordon Whyte

E-mail: gordonw63@yahoo.com

Mobile: +44(0)7880656584

Location: Livingston-West Lothian-Scotland




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. Extensive experience 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, I have helped raise private equity funding for five early stage companies and previous to that 12 years experience in the semiconductor industry.

· 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 Ltd – Blyth, UK 09/07 to present

Chief Operating Officer / General Manager



Responsible for the management of the research center, including cell and module pilot manufacturing, research and development projects, product engineering and development. Continually evaluating solar manufacturing technologies and analyzing there impact on the market in comparison to other cleantech technologies. Leading the commercialization of the research centers photovoltaic solar cell technology through technology spin out, technology transfer and licensing. Led acquisition of BP Solar 30MW LGBC solar cell manufacturing line and associated intellectual property.



Ø Successfully led ISO 9001 certification project.

Ø Wrote business plan for WSS, and presented to investors.

Ø Establishing supply chain, negotiating key supply agreements.

Ø Leading sales and marketing function, developing customer base from 4 to 20 customers.

Ø Evaluation and selection of production technologies for large scale manufacturing sites.

Ø Developed technology road map for next generation silicon concentrator solar cell manufacturing.

Ø Improved production efficiencies by 25% and reduced product cost by 35%.

Ø Established capabilities to model full system costs and performance for solar technologies.







Forth Dimension displays –Dunfermline, UK 10/2004 – 08/2007 www.forthdd.com

Director of Micro display operations



Responsible for manufacturing operations of micro-displays and sub-systems for helmet mounted and projection television applications. Started up “mothballed” micro-display fabrication manufacturing foundry, ahead of schedule and on budget. Recruited operations management team. Using a fabless semiconductor model to develop new silicon backplane and ASIC driver for the world class WXGA display. Reduce customer returns by 40% and improved delivery performance by 50%. This role had extensive travel in China and Taiwan.



Key Achievements:

Ø Restarted the manufacturing line significantly ahead of schedule.

Ø Established high volume manufacturing partners for the microdisplay and drive electronics.

Ø Implemented ISO 9001 and NPI strategy.

Ø Negotiated supply agreements with major suppliers.

Ø Implemented SAP 1 for financial modeling and supply chain management.

Ø Restructured the operations to focus on head mounted display core business.

Ø Helped raise funding from venture capital partners to support restructuring of business.

Ø Responsible for continuous increased revenue for 15 months.



rosebank technologies –Edinburgh, UK 06/2003 – 10/2004

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. Responsible for operations, engineering and development functions.

Key Achievements:

Ø Developed business plan for organization and executed.

Ø Set up project with AMT for process development.

Ø Secured £75k SMART funding from Scottish Executive.

Ø Co-Authored a Patent on SOG for DTI / STI next generation semiconductors.



LITTLE OPTICS, INC. – Annapolis, MD, 02/2002 – 10/2003 www.littleoptics.com

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. Managed wafer fabrication engineering and process development teams and device packaging team. Implemented ISO 9001 quality programs and gained certification. Managed senior operations management team. Present progress to investors. 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 Scotland and take up the project with Rosebank Technologies.

Key Achievements:

Ø Implemented process improvements to reduce operating costs 35%.

Ø Managed pilot manufacturing for development of optical ASIC’S.

Ø Established strategic supplier partnerships.

Ø Reducing consumable and raw material costs 30%.

Ø Implemented project management strategy to reduce time to market of new products by 20%.

Ø Implemented budget planning and control policies to improve cash flow and reduce follow on funding requirements.

Ø Set up outsourced manufacturing base for wafer fabrication and packaging service, with significant reduction in NRE and set up costs.

Ø Secured venture capital funding of $7m.

Ø Launched world’s first optical ASIC platform for complex optical integrated circuits.





MICRO PHOTONIX INT. CORP. – Phoenix, AZ, 06/2000 – 02/2002

Director of Manufacturing

Managed organization wide operations across three manufacturing divisions for this producer of telecommunication sub systems of this venture capital funded business. Established world-class manufacturing facilities supporting production of lithium niobate integrated optical components, hybrid wideband RF amplifiers and integrated photonic modules. Led Telcordia and ISO9001 quality programs successfully. MicroPhotonix was raising capital from the venture capital community just prior to the 9/11, the VC community at that time stopped there investment activities until they could see how the events at that time impacted them, this led to not being able to secure adequate funding to keep the company running and the company was closed down. I then left to join Little optics.

Key Achievements:

Ø Introduced four new products to the market including the worlds first 10 GHz integrated driver modulator in 2001.

Ø Successfully negotiated manufacturing licenses for advanced optical components from ERA Technologies.

Ø Secured manufacturing licenses worth $3m plus in revenues.

Ø Supported funding activities raised $13m.

Ø Led sale of assets and IP to overseas corporation.

JDSU – Essex, England, 1995 – 2000

Senior Manufacturing Manager

Oversaw a wide range of manufacturing initiatives for this $24 million venture capital funded opto-electronic component company. Expanded pilot production facility to world’s first high volume lithium niobate production facility. Set up factory process and production control systems. Recruited wafer fabrication and component assembly teams. Developed next generation of products supporting OC192 applications. I left this role to develop my career working in the USA with a new start up.

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 to set up a wide-scale facility expansion/ capability enhancement; increased wafer throughput and component assembly significantly, on time and on budget.

Ø Supported IPO on the Alternative Investment Market.

Ø Helped company be profitable after two years and doubled revenue year on year prior to successful IPO in ’96 and subsequent sale to SDLI (USA).

THE TOWER – Montrose, Scotland, 1993 – 1995

Manufacturing Consultant

Established, developed and managed consultant firm. Led management and personal development programs, 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 (UK) Ltd.-Livingstone, Scotland, 1981-1993

Served as key member of pre-production team charged with establishing innovative six-inch wafer fabrication facility in Europe. Facilitated multiple projects throughout three-year foreign assignment.

http://uk.linkedin.com/in/gordonwhyte