MASS imaging company DEK is celebrating 40 years in business.

The Granby firm has hailed its trailblazing breakthroughs of the past four decades but has also vowed to step up its innovations in the 21st century - especially in the realms of alternative energy.

Chief executive John Hartner said: "When DEK was founded 40 years ago, its fundamental principles were exactly the same as they are today - to provide our customers with the optimum, most technologically advanced tools to increase the efficiency of their businesses.

"We have successfully studied and developed advanced semiconductor packaging and pre-placement SMT technologies and, as a major innovator in the electronics sector, induced ProFlow DirEkt Imaging, regarded as one of the most significant developments in the 2000 year history of screen printing."

DEK originally operated from four units on the Granby Industrial Estate before moving to its 50,000sq ft factory in Albany Road in 1985.

DEK has played a key role in the development of high-speed, high accuracy, highly repeatable surface mount assembly processes.

But it has also been in the vanguard of 'next generation' development in such areas as alternative energy programmes.

DEK employs more than 850 people around the world. It has a comprehensive network of manufacturing plants and sales offices as well as its base on the Granby Industrial Estate in Chickerell.

It exports to more than 50 countries.

Mr Hartner said: "Having accumulated in excess of 100 patents, our legacy at DEK for the past 40 years is undoubtedly our groundbreaking advances in technology for the electronics sector.

"We are looking forward to creating an even bigger legacy in the next 40 years and continually enabling our customers to Expect More."

DEK, which has more than 18,000, recorded machine installations, introduced its groundbreaking Pass Thru screen printer in the 1980s and the benchmark DEK 265 automatic screen printer in the early 90s.

DEK launched its acclaimed print head technology, ProFlow in 1997.

Its 21st century screen printing solutions include the Galaxy, Europa, Horizon Series, Infinity and 248 printing platforms, precision emulsion screens and stencils.

Other technology includes VectorGuard frame mounted stencil systems, Vortex advanced paperless underscreen cleaning technology and productivity tools.

Other innovations include a state-of-the-art clean room for screens manufacture and plans to expand its investment and research and development commitments.

In 2007, DEK's new technology included Dual Line inline printing solutions and Reel to Reel processes.

Mr Hartner said: "We are incredibly proud of all our achievements over the past four decades which have been recognised by the electronics sector with numerous industry awards.

"Our aim is to continually use the expertise and know-how gained from 40 years in business to develop yet more innovative solutions for our customers around the world.

"And, looking ahead to 2008, we will be working to redefine more industry parameters through facilitating alternative energy programmes, further developing our widely acclaimed Reel to Reel and Dual Lane advanced technologies, and adding continuous improvements to our core SMT business."