Tecan was established in 1970 to serve growing demand for fine-featured precision metal parts. Using Photo Chemical Machining (PCM) - a photolithography-based process conceived during the 1950s, as an off-shoot from the manufacture of printed circuit boards - Tecan quickly attracted a wide range of work from companies who recognised the advantages of PCM manufacturing.

By the mid-seventies, Tecan had expanded through two takeovers and had moved to Dorset, on England’s South Coast. A purpose-built facility was opened in 1980 - this is now Europe’s largest plant entirely devoted to PCM and PEF manufacturing.

A commitment to technical innovation resulted in the introduction of Photo Electro Forming (PEF) in 1985. PEF - an extremely accurate process where metal is 'grown' electrolytically molecule by molecule within a photolithographically defined resist mould - complemented existing PCM capabilities and enabled a previously unseen level of precision.

Other niche operations subsequently developed to service industry-specific needs include SMT stencils, RFI shielding and high quality metal finishing.

In 2002, Tecan further expanded its technology capability with the introduction of a Micro-PEF class 1,000 cleanroom facility, opened by HRH The Prince of Wales. Micro-PEF enables Tecan to manufacture micro-parts with feature sizes measured in microns with sub-micron accuracy possible.