On the 4th May 2018 the World leading Optoelectronics Research Centre at the University of Southampton (www.orc.soton.ac.uk) took delivery of a Loxham Precision µ6 ultra precision machine tool. This equipment investment by ORC is made in support of the UK's Quantum Technologies programme. Dr James Gates and Dr Lewis Carpenter, Principal Researchers at Southampton ORC took delivery of the Loxham µ6 machine.

In 2017 the University of Southampton was honoured with the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize in recognition of ORC's major contributions and advancement to the field of photonics research.