Manufacturer edges out competitors after new investment
INVESTMENT in the new technology is giving a Shropshire manufacturer a global edge on its competitors and helping it build on a recent factory expansion.
Wrekin Circuits, which is part of the unique Midlands Assembly Network (MAN), has spent more than £470,000 on new machinery and a 6,000 sq ft expansion to its manufacturing capabilities at Hortonwood in Telford.
The latest facilities will allow the company to produce complex printed circuit boards (PCBs) in just three days, currently the fastest turnaround time in the industry.
The approach has already led to a string of new contracts, including an order for LED technology that will save the rail sector £140m every year.
Andy Morris, sales manager at Wrekin Circuits, said: “Our industry is extremely competitive and customers are continually demanding smaller, lighter, more complicated circuit boards.
“It’s all about offering new solutions to the customer and the recent investment in the MASS Plane Raze device and Schmoll Combi-Machine XRC drill allows us to offer high density interconnect for the latest generation component packages.”
The investment means what would have taken 10 days to complete can now be done in 72 hours, giving the firm a real edge over competitors.
The company has also utilised its R&D facilities to perfect processing on specialist insulated metal substrates for use in high power LED applications.
Wrekin Circuits, which employs 38 people, currently supplies printed circuit boards to customers in 17 countries.
Its ability to manufacture in a wide variety of materials, 50 micron tracks and heatsinks has strengthened its position in the semi-conductor marketplace, aerospace and defence and, increasingly, in medical instrumentation.
It said while the last 12 months had been tough, with scarcity of material and fluctuating demand, the firm had been able to post consistent growth and will top £2.2m sales this year.
“One of the key areas of recent investment has been adding an additional third of capacity to our site, giving us a combined 18,000 sq ft,” said Mr Morris.
“There will be some form of production in there, but the majority of that space will be used for stockholding a comprehensive range of laminates. This means we are in complete control of the manufacturing process and not waiting on shipments arriving that can take between 10 to 15 days. Ultimately this means we can turn around some jobs in just 24 hours.”
Mr Morris said the firm had also benefited from its involvement in the MAN alliance.
The 10-strong group of sub-contractors works together to share best practice and maximise new business opportunities.
All members offer different manufacturing expertise and processes, ranging from aluminium die castings and plastic injection moulding to specialist wiring harnesses and advanced chemical etching.
