Paarl Post - Headquarters of leading technology in Paarl

And one of only a handful of companies worldwide that develop this technology, is situated in the picturesque Paarl Main Street, near the Berg River Boulevard. An old property, which at first sight one would think is just another heritage site nestled under the oaks, is home to the internationally renowned technology company, Azoteq.

Azoteq was founded by Dr Frederick Bruwer in 1998. In 2000 the company was operating with only three engineers from offices at a small semi-detached house in Fabriek Street. And today more than 40 highly skilled employees work in Paarl and the company has offices and agents throughout the world.

The company’s first speciality was intelligent LED (light-emitting diodes) lighting control. This technology changed the face of lighting and torches worldwide, from a single strength light, to an advanced lighting component. Sportsmen will especially be familiar with products such as Black Diamond and Princeton-tech which are driven by Azoteq technology. The Azoteq intelligent lights are found worldwide, from speciality headlamps to military and fire fighting flashlights, to automotive interior lighting.

But the engineers at Azoteq furthered their technological quest and entered the ever expanding world of touch key and touch screen technology.

“This technology has literally exploded over the past few years and is taking over the way humans interact with electronic devices,” says Jean Viljoen, marketing manager for Europe and Asia.

“The iPod and smartphones really paved the way for touch and touch screen proliferation into all electronics.”

And the touch technology that Azoteq has developed can today be found in renowned international brands of PC tablets, MP3 players, Blu-Ray players, televisions, remote controls, iPod docking stations, GPS’s and many more.

“And now touch technology has been taken a step further towards proximity detection. This means that an appliance can sense what function you need before you actually touch a screen face, purely by reaching towards it. Currently this technology is especially used in the medical world for hygienic purposes. Medical staff no longer need to touch soap dispensers and dryers. It is also very handy in GPS’s systems where drivers need to use an application while driving. The user interface of personal electronics like smartphones and tablet computers will very soon support the proximity detection as part of the user interaction”

Viljoen says that the technology which Azoteq designs and develops is fast moving and ever changing so they have to continuously investigate future trends.

Azoteq employs only the best graduates in this very specialised field. And due to the very advanced technological R&D, says Viljoen, these young engineers are staying within South Africa and not having to seek employment internationally, as most people in this industry do.

“Here they are in a top-notch business which can compete with any of its competitors worldwide. Azoteq is a South African company on the cutting edge of design and development of micro electronic semiconductor technology, which is in essence ‘microchips’ to the man in the street.”

And why Paarl as headquarters for such an advanced company?

“You will find that most such businesses are found in Silicone Valley or other world renowned techno parks where it is an absolute rat-race. Dr Bruwer decided upon Paarl because of its picturesque surrounds and peacefulness. And this definitely makes it a very pleasant working environment.”