List of Best UK PCB Manufacturers
Are you in the process of selecting a PCBA supplier for your electronics project and seeking a comprehensive one-stop service, covering fabrication to assembly? Alongside the more commonly considered options like China, USA, and India, choosing a British PCBA supplier also be a prudent decision. The electronic manufacturing industry in the UK has seen significant growth, giving rise to several powerful and reliable manufacturers. In this article, FS Technology will introduce you to some of these leading companies, providing insights into their capabilities and services.
Why Get PCB Services From UK
When selecting a manufacturer in a specific region, it is indeed helpful to consider the local PCBA industry report. It is true that the development of the UK PCBA industry may not appear as robust in recent years, and the Covid-19 pandemic has further impacted its output value, leading to a downward trend. Despite these challenges, FS Technology still recommends considering UK manufacturers for the following reasons:
- Technological Innovation: The PCBA industry’s progress directly influences the technical advancements in a region. Being a developed country, the UK government prioritizes the development of industries like high-density interconnection, flexible circuits, and radio frequency/microwave systems. These cutting-edge technologies offer distinct advantages for advanced applications, which may not be as prevalent among Indian PCB manufacturers.
- Fast Turnaround: For European customers, cost considerations might allow them to afford higher prices. Furthermore, proximity to the UK can expedite the PCB fabrication or assembly, facilitating faster project completion.
- High Quality: Some companies prefer using manufacturers from the UK or other developed European and American countries due to their adherence to stricter quality standards and regulatory requirements. This ensures the delivery of higher quality and more reliable products.
- Specific Industries: As the automated driving sector evolves, British manufacturers are actively venturing into automotive electronics and electric vehicle markets to meet the demands of automotive electronics and battery management systems. For customers in this industry, engaging with specialized manufacturing businesses is more advantageous.
PCB Train
FS Technology highly recommends PCB Train, a division of the Newbury Electronics Group, as a top-notch PCBA service company in the UK. With over 65 years of experience in electronics manufacturing, PCB Train and its sister company Newbury Electronics are well-equipped to handle various challenges in turnkey projects. Here are the key reasons why you should consider them:
Rich Industry Experience:
With a long history of operation, PCB Train has earned widespread acclaim in the PCB assembly service field and established strong partnerships with companies spanning diverse industries. Their clientele includes technology, pharmaceuticals, military, medical, food and beverage, laboratories, microelectronics, aerospace, academia, fuels, petrochemicals, chemicals, automotive, and power generation, among others.
Full-Service Offerings:
PCB Train provides a comprehensive range of services, starting from design and leading up to the construction of the finished product. They offer flexible project models, allowing you to choose the most suitable approach for your specific needs. What’s more, their online platform enables you to obtain custom quotes easily, while the digitalized and automated production process ensures fast turnaround PCB assembly for maximum efficiency.
Quality and Quality Control:
As a reputable manufacturer, PCB Train adheres to the IPC-A-610 standard for manufacturing all assembly project. They take full responsibility for traceability throughout the production process. Moreover, to cater to the demands of specialized industries, PCB Train has obtained ISO9001:2015 and AS9100 quality standard certifications, and they have incorporated BS EN ISO13485:2016 into their quality management system.
Offshore Electronics Ltd
Offshore Electronics is a reputable CEM company based in Guernsey, UK, renowned for providing comprehensive and cost-effective electronics manufacturing solutions to its customers. With over 25 years of service experience, they are well-equipped to assist you at any stage of your project, offering engineering solutions that align with both technical and commercial requirements.
For customers seeking a combination of affordability and high-quality services, Offshore Electronics is an ideal choice. Their strategic factory location in Guernsey enables them to offer cost-effective outsourced electronics solutions. Moreover, their production team boasts exceptional expertise and is equipped with advanced manufacturing equipment and technology, ensuring top-notch quality for every project they undertake.
Merlin Circuit Technology Ltd
Merlin PCB Group is a well-established private company based in the UK, with an impressive track record of over 35 years in the electronics manufacturing field. Over the years, the company has strategically expanded its operations, setting up production workshops across different regions in the UK and continually investing in supply facilities to better cater to its global clientele. Thanks to its unwavering commitment to advanced technology and customer-centric service, the company’s business has flourished, achieving an annual turnover of over 10 million pounds.
In terms of production capabilities, Merlin PCB Group demonstrates remarkable versatility, capable of handling projects ranging from simple single-sided PCB to highly complex 32-layer high-tech multilayer PCB. Moreover, the company is equally proficient in handling flexible interconnection systems and flexible/rigid hybrid systems. While their service area is vast, it is important to note that their primary focus lies in small and medium-volume projects. For high-volume PCB assembly requirements, customers are advised to explore FS Technology.
Dedicated to remaining at the forefront of the industry, Merlin PCB Group has made substantial investments in cutting-edge equipment and technology. This includes state-of-the-art automatic drilling machines, Schmoll 4-wavelength MDI imaging systems, controlled digital imaging facilities, and other advanced equipment. Additionally, they have invested in automatic XYZ measuring machines, assembly X-ray inspection equipment, and laser cutting machines, ensuring the successful execution of high-precision assembly projects.
When it comes to quality, Merlin PCB Group places paramount importance on stringent quality management. The company has established a comprehensive quality management system encompassing various business management systems, such as BOM, MRP, and POP. Moreover, they have robust processes, well-documented work procedures, comprehensive training programs, and departmental performance KPIs to uphold quality standards. Products undergo rigorous inspection and qualification at every stage of the process, including 100% electrical testing, automated optical inspection systems, and microsection/IPC coupon testing. The company’s commitment to quality is underscored by its numerous international accreditations, including AS9100 Revision D, ISO9001:2015, and ISO14001:2015, as well as its prestigious SC21 Silver Award accreditation. Furthermore, the employees are highly qualified, adhering to the standards of IPC-J-Std Class 3 Assemblies, IPC-A-600 Acceptability of Printed Circuits, and IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies.
Clarydon Electronic Services Ltd
Clarydon Electronic Services Limited, headquartered in the West Midlands region of the UK, has earned a prominent position as a leading PCB manufacturing, PCBA processing, and CEM service provider. With a legacy of 30 years in the industry since its establishment in 1994, the company takes pride in offering a diverse range of services and innovative solutions. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in their ISO 9001 certification and UL certification for products and services.
At the core of their business, Clarydon excels in PCB manufacturing, boasting a comprehensive array of capabilities. From single-sided PCB for high-power LED applications to complex 24-layer multilayer, controlled impedance, and metal backplane PCB, they are adept at producing flexible, flexible-rigid, RF, microwave circuits, and high-temperature circuits. The company’s manufacturing facilities are strategically located in both the UK and China, catering to different scale production requirements and ensuring swift turnaround times.
Regarding assembly services, Clarydon collaborates with its sister company, Kasdon Electronics, leveraging SMT and THT technologies to serve a wide spectrum of industries, including automotive, aerospace, defense, inventory control, LED and security lighting, oil/gas exploration, and industrial sensors. With a comprehensive suite of flexible automation equipment, the company offers free component assembly or full-service solutions, facilitating fast, efficient, and cost-effective routes to market for prototypes or small batch production.
Moreover, Clarydon Electronic Services provides customers with one-stop PCB solutions, enabling seamless adaptation to market changes. Their services encompass original concept review, scheme production, PCB design, and manufacturing design, ensuring products meet specifications and are optimally suited for subsequent manufacturing processes.
Newbury Electronics Ltd
Newbury Electronics, based in Newbury, Berkshire, holds a distinguished position as a leading PCB manufacturer in the UK, boasting an impressive 60 years of service in designing, manufacturing, and assembling thousands of circuit boards at their state-of-the-art facility.
The cornerstone of their operation lies in maintaining high efficiency and uncompromising quality. Regardless of the batch size, whether it’s a single piece or over 10,000 pieces, Newbury Electronics offers a broad spectrum of technical capabilities, ranging from manual assembly to fully automated placement, robotic welding, and solder paste silk screen laser cutting. Their commitment to delivering fast turnaround times and reliable delivery services sets them apart.
Renowned for their quick turnaround service, Newbury Electronics excels in providing single-sided and double-sided PCB in as little as 24 hours at highly competitive costs. This rapid service also extends to multilayer PCB. It is worth noting that the Express Service primarily caters to bench-top PCB prototyping needs, where the PCB is provided without solder mask or legends. For those embarking on new projects, the Newbury Group’s innovation department is devoted to providing wholehearted support. Their expertise lies in electronic design and development, offering comprehensive assistance from initial design to final manufacturing.
PCB Manufacturer FAQ
No, it needs to be clarified that FS Technology’s factories are located in Shenzhen and Huizhou, China, and the main purpose of this article is to help users who want to get cheap PCB services from the UK.
This is not absolute, using a UK service provider can speed up delivery and save you from excessive shipping costs, but in comparison, Chinese manufacturers make your project more cost-effective with lower labor. When choosing a service provider, please consider many aspects, not just transportation. If you are considering manufacturing in China, the list of manufacturers below will help you:
If you are a hobbyist and not looking for B2B business cooperation, none of the above applies. Here FS Technology recommends using JLCPCB and PCBway.
JLCPCB is produced in the form of imposition, which makes the project cost-effective, and they will issue free samples every month.
And for PCBway, if you promote the website for it, you get a $50 voucher, which is very friendly for hobbyists or student groups.
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