HIPOT-R&D Research and development in Technologies and Systems

The HIPOT-R&D Research and Development in Technologies and Systems Company is established to act as a research organisation for a HIPOT Electronic Elements and Systems Company. The HIPOT Company is organised in three factories with the following production program HIPOT-HYB (hybrid circuits and sensors), HIPOT-P&EMS (electro-mechanic systems and potentiometers), and HIPOT-ELTAS (membrane keyboards). Company has implemented and now maintains a quality control system, which fulfils the requirements of ISO9001 standard. The HIPOT Company is based in Šentjernej where the manufacturing plant together with the headquarters and technical service division are located, and employs some 240 workers on a floor area of about 5000 m2. The company had a turnover of some 7.5 million EUR in 1997 and approximately 9% of total income are invested in research and development. Current research and development activities are organised in the HIPOT-R&D Company through research and development group. This group is responsible for research, development and technology transfer in the fields of thick-film hybrid microelectronics, sensors (mostly pressure sensors), and electromechanical devices and systems. In the field of research and development, as well as in system upgrading the group works in close relationship with scientific institutions and technical associations both in Slovenia and worldwide. In some projects, to achieve the critical mass of research workers and equipment, this co-operation is necessary. In the field of hybrid microelectronics the HIPOT Company has traditional co-operation with “Jožef Stefan” Institute in Ljubljana. This co-operation was established 1972 in the form of “Laboratory for Thick-Film Technology” within the Ceramic Department at “Jožef Stefan” Institute. Mixed research group includes specialists in materials science and electronic experts both from “Jožef Stefan” Institute and HIPOT.