HIGHLY skilled engineering expertise is being safeguarded in Lincolnshire thanks to the opening of a new microwave technology facility.

Linwave Electronic Manufacturing Services, a division of Linwave Technology, will be launching its new facility in Whisby Road, Lincoln, on September 10.

And 15 manufacturing jobs have been transferred there from e2v technologies.

As reported in the Echo, workers at e2v in Carholme Road were told in October the site would shut in 12 months.

The closure decision was blamed on a contracting order book and an unsuccessful attempt to sell the Lincoln business as a going concern.

The company is relocating its microwave electronics function to the former Co-operative pharmacy warehouse in Sadler Road.

This engineering excellence facility will be manned by 50 people and should be operational by the end of this year.

Most of e2v's production work is moving to Chelmsford and overall the closure of the Carholme Road site still means about 90 job losses.

The jobs protected by the opening of the new Linwave facility are in addition to the 50 at the Sadler Road site.

"The technology partnership between e2v and Linwave Technology has been enabled by the transfer of equipment, processes and 15 highly skilled personnel into the new facility," said Linwave's sales director and director of microwave marketing Chris Carr, who used to work for e2v.

"The facility provides UK-based technology support for the defence, automotive, space and commercial markets."

He said the firm is supporting e2v's and other companies' demands for microwave technology. Economic development officer for greater Lincoln Rob Smith said keeping hold of such specialist jobs was key to future growth.

He said: "This is keeping highly skilled jobs here which has to be good for future economic growth.

"It's also good for the individuals involved and their families. They are not having to up sticks and relocate to somewhere else."

And e2v spokesman Andy Bennett agreed the opening of the new centre in Whisby Road was a positive move.

He said: "This is good news from the point of view it is another 15 people that are able to keep their jobs."

Linwave Technology Limited was formed in 2003 following a management buyout of Celeritek UK Ltd.

e2v has its headquarters in Britain and operates worldwide.

It is involved in numerous high profile projects including Airbus A380, the European Space Agency Gaia mission to map the galaxy and Eurofighter Typhoon.

For the 12 months to March 31, this year, the company reported sales in excess of £200m.