Blog

In the latest in a series inviting innovative startups to tell their stories, Microelectronics UK features Sensofar, a provider of optical 3D surface metrology systems across industries including semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, medical devices and scientific research. The company celebrated its 25-year global anniversary in 2026, yet its UK arm has only been in operation since earlier this year. Sensofar UK's leadership team consists of Jamie Greatrix, commercial director and GM, and Harry Willcox, head of technical sales. The company will be participating at Microelectronics UK on September 29-30 alongside Forensic Eyes.

You can find out more about Sensofar here. Many thanks to Jamie Greatrix for providing these answers.

---

In one sentence, what does your company do?

Sensofar develops high-precision optical 3D surface metrology systems that enable manufacturers, researchers and engineers to measure, characterise and improve advanced surfaces and components.

How did the business come about? 

After more than 25 years of supplying customers worldwide through a network of distributors, Sensofar recognised the growing demand for closer local support across the UK and Ireland. In 2026, Sensofar UK Limited was established to provide direct sales, applications expertise and technical support, bringing customers closer to the manufacturer while investing in demonstration facilities, strategic partnerships and collaborative innovation.

What industry problem are you solving?

The semiconductor industry is under constant pressure to manufacture smaller, faster and more reliable devices. As feature sizes reduce and manufacturing tolerances become tighter, inspection alone is no longer enough. Manufacturers need quantitative, traceable 3D measurement to understand, control and optimise their processes. Sensofar provides the optical metrology tools that help engineers make better decisions, improve yield and accelerate innovation, from R&D through to production.

Why is this problem becoming more important right now?

The semiconductor industry is under increasing pressure to manufacture more complex devices with ever tighter tolerances, while reducing development time and maximizing production yield. As a result, manufacturers need measurement solutions that provide fast, accurate and traceable 3D data without damaging the sample. Optical metrology has evolved from being a quality assurance tool to becoming a critical enabler of process development, manufacturing optimization and product innovation.

What makes your approach different from existing solutions?

We believe metrology should solve problems, not just generate data. Rather than offering a single measurement technique, Sensofar combines multiple optical technologies within one platform, allowing customers to select the most appropriate method for each application. Coupled with direct applications support and collaborations with organizations such as the MTC, AMIC and Technological University Dublin, we work closely with customers to develop measurement solutions that improve manufacturing processes, accelerate R&D and provide confidence in the data they generate.

What has been the biggest challenge in scaling the business so far?

Establishing a direct UK operation while building a demonstration and applications network across the UK & Ireland.

What has been your biggest milestone to date?

Establishing Sensofar UK Limited and opening the demonstration centre at the MTC, alongside collaborations with AMIC in Northern Ireland and Technological University Dublin (Ireland).

What excites you most about the future of the microelectronics industry?

The pace of innovation across microelectronics is extraordinary. From AI and advanced packaging to photonics, quantum technologies and next-generation medical devices, the industry is driving innovations that will shape the future. Equally exciting is the increasing collaboration between manufacturers, universities and research organisations to solve these complex challenges. As devices become smaller and more sophisticated, accurate, traceable metrology will become even more critical, and we're proud to support that journey by helping customers transform measurement data into better engineering decisions.

What’s next for the business over the next 12 months?

Grow the semiconductor customer base, expand the MTC applications centre, strengthen collaborations with AMIC, TUD and leading universities, and increase the installed base across the UK & Ireland.