Case Study
From Polaroids to Medical Equipment: How Wideblue is Bridging Design and Manufacturing from the West of Scotland Science Park
Taking products from concept to market is rarely straightforward. Progress can stall when designers’ visions don’t align with the realities of manufacturing.
Wideblue is helping businesses overcome that challenge.
Taking on the whole design process, from prototyping to testing, they’re helping companies – including spinouts, start-ups and multinational organisations – grow and move into new markets.
From the West of Scotland Science Park, which has been home to the company for over a decade, they continue to develop breakthrough product after breakthrough product.
Taking a ‘whole cycle’ approach to design
For most companies developing a product, the process often stalls at a critical point. When the designer hands over their design to a manufacturer, there can be a mismatch between the ideal design and what’s actually possible to make. This can result in costly delays and re-designs.
Euan McBrearty, Head of Commercial and Innovation at Wideblue, uses the analogy of builders and architects:
“There is always a crossover point where an architect has created a nice drawing, but the builder says, ‘you can’t make that’.
“It’s the same with designers and manufacturers. The challenge is ensuring continuity between the two.”
Wideblue, however, takes a ‘whole cycle’ approach.
“We can take a design from the initial concept right through to large-scale manufacturing and support clients throughout the entire journey.”
By taking on activities like volume manufacture, software testing and cost reduction, the company bridges the gap between design and manufacture, helping products move from concept to commercial reality.
From Polaroid to developing groundbreaking medical equipment
Wideblue was formed in 2003 as a department within Polaroid. As digital cameras became more widespread, demand for Polaroid products declined, so Wideblue started supporting other technology companies. In 2006, after a management buyout, Wideblue became an independent business.
Its Polaroid beginnings gave the company deep optical expertise, allowing it to specialise in medical products.
“It led us into medical devices through optical sensing technologies. From there, our work expanded into other sectors as well.”
Wideblue’s projects now span multiple industries, including food processing, offshore wind and oil and gas.
“That optical expertise applies to everything from medical devices that optically detect CO₂ for COPD patients through to quantum key distribution systems involving lasers and satellites.”
In 2018, Wideblue was acquired by Pivot International, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the US-based contract manufacturing company.
‘Flexibility to grow without relocating’: Why the West of Scotland Science Park?
Wideblue joined the Park in 2014 as it “suited our needs at the time.”
Over the past 12 years, the Park has provided the company with space and facilities they’ve needed as they’ve continued to grow both their team and manufacturing capabilities.
“With the support of the Park, Wideblue was able to take on additional lab space across the road and later expand our optics laboratory as well. It was great to have the flexibility to grow without relocating.”
When moving into its current premises, the team worked with developer Speyroc to fit out the office space around their requirements.
“Rather than being handed an empty space and expected to organise everything ourselves, the team refurbished and prepared the space. So, it was ready for us to move into. It made the whole process straightforward.”
The team has also benefited from the Park’s landscaped green space, bounded by the River Kelvin, and being close to clients and potential partners.
“It’s very well maintained and well looked after. People go for walks at lunchtime, and it really does make a difference.
“It’s also a science park, so you’re surrounded by organisations that understand what you do. There are like-minded people and potential collaborators nearby.”
Major milestones and future projects
Wideblue has continued to grow steadily at the Park, developing products in a number of sectors, from healthcare to advanced engineering.
One of the projects the team is most proud of is a medical device for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a portable version of a hospital-based system that also gives clinicians live data on how they’re doing. This means patients don’t have to go to hospital as often.
“The end application is helping people, which is hugely rewarding.”
Alongside its healthcare work, Wideblue is exploring opportunities in the space sector. While details remain confidential, the company is currently in discussions on projects involving a major European space-based research organisation.
“If they go ahead, they will be exciting projects.”
Looking ahead
As a consultancy, “there’s always another project on the horizon.” One area the business is keen on developing is small-scale optical builds and small-scale manufacturing.
“We want to bridge the gap between prototype development and full-scale factory production by producing low-volume builds before products are handed over to manufacturing. That’s an area where we can add real value for clients.”
Alongside this, they’re focused on continued growth.
“I’d like to see the business continue to grow in both people and turnover. We want to strengthen our multidisciplinary team and expand our capabilities.”
The West of Scotland Science Park is proud to have supported Wideblue for more than a decade, providing a base for their growth and ambition.
To find out more about Wideblue, visit www.wide-blue.com.