Small Firms Compose Majority at Spectrum

An estimated 65% of the 2,000 companies in the Irvine Spectrum, the 3,600-acre business park owned by the Irvine Co., have fewer than 10 employees, according to a survey released Thursday.

Situated in Irvine at the juncture of the San Diego and Santa Ana freeways, the Spectrum is one of the largest master planned business centers in California, with 33,000 workers employed there, according to the Irvine Co. survey.

Three industries--computers, electronics and medical products and services--account for 46% of the employment base at the Spectrum, the survey found. About 16% of the work force is employed by foreign firms.

“What I believe are distinguishing factors about the Irvine Spectrum are a large number of entrepreneurial start-ups . . . the majority of businesses in high-tech industries . . . and a strong international marketing and distributing base,” said Jeffrey Deis, vice president of the Irvine Co. industrial division.