10 Top PCB Manufacturers in UK

Introduction

There are a select few notable firms in the UK that produce printed circuit boards, or PCBs. We list the top ten of these companies in this article.

We choose them based of their expertise, consumer base, and reach.

The leading PCB manufacturers in the UK are able to compete with those in Europe.

They also make a strong case for purchasing regional electronics components.

The majority of electronics components, including circuit boards, are imported into the UK from Germany, the US, and China.

Current State of PCB Manufacturing in UK

Current State of PCB Manufacturing in the UK

Circuit boards belong to the electronics manufacturing sector in the UK.

Currently, the forecast for 2022 and five years onward is not good.

Several factors affect UK’s PCB industry, causing a downtrend in sales:

Brexit concerns
Changes in consumer trends
Energy crisis – rising cost is expected to be as high as 80%
Exchange rate problems
Low costs of manufacturing PCBs in China, India, and Taiwan
Lowered disposable income in UK households
Pandemic after-effects on the British economy

For the time being, the future of the UK PCB companies, even the top ones, remains bleak. However, they can arguably use niche marketing to still be profitable and relevant in the next few years.

The Top Ten PCB Manufacturers in the UK

Remaining relevant in the face of global competition, the top circuit board manufacturers in the UK are listed below in alphabetical order:

ABL Circuits

With its headquarters in Hertfordshire, this company has been in operation for 30 years. If all the right factors come together, it claims of generating quick-turn PCBs in just 8 hours. It boasts of producing single-sided PCBs in 5 working days. Aside from these products, ABL makes Rigid PCBs, HDI PCBs, Rigid-Flex, Flexible, and multilayer PCBs. The good reputation is enhanced by its 2012 British Business Award victory as “Company of the Year”.

Cambridge Circuit Company Ltd

Located in Silicon Fen, Cambridge, this company is also one of the long-standing ones, like ABL. They specialize in speedy turnaround time, especially for prototype PCBs. The usual range of PCBs: single-sided, double-sided, and multilayer ones can be ordered without problems. To be part of the critical manufacturing industries that operated during the COVID pandemic is part of their bragging rights. Many of their PCBs were used in UK emergency medical equipment.

CC Electronics

This company is based in Winsford, Cheshire. They sell Impedance Control PCB alongside the related HDI PCB products. For Via PCBs, they offered the usual Buried Via PCB, Blind Via PCB, as well as Resin-filled Via PCB. How many layers of multilayer PCB are ordered is up to the customer. But they do have using sequential lamination options for PCB stack-ups, with 8 Layers, 10 Layers, and more.

Cleveland Circuits

Similar products are offered by all PCB companies in the UK and Europe by this business. It differs from others since it explicitly states that if you request a quotation, you are under no obligation to purchase anything; the quote is provided without charge. Under its “Ultimate PCB” package line, it also provides a Box Build Assembly service. Customers won’t have to worry about the coordination tasks because its sister business Connect-2 Technology can handle this secondary service.

Creekview Electronics

This company’s product offerings are the common PCB offerings, but there are a few that facts this company apart. Originally, the company bought its PCBs from Photomechanical Services Ltd. But Creekview has long since bought Photomechanical to make themselves a formidable EMS provider. Located in Basildon, Essex, they can provide PCB assistance and design services for businesses in the same area.

eXception PCB Solutions

The company is known as a dependable source of PCBs related to RF applications, automotive control, and advanced medical gadgets. Its focus is on low to medium-volume PCB production only, staying away from mass-produced PCBs. The reason for this is eXception’s focus on helping clients prototype PCBs. They are good partners for the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase of a project.

Express Circuits Group

Located in Coleshill, Birmingham, England, this company is one of the trusted suppliers of Military PCBs. The company itself was formed by joining together three smaller companies: Microtrax Designs Ltd, Express Circuits, and Electronic Assembly (EAS in Leicestershire). It can make Multilayer Rigid-Flex PCBs up to 24 layers and Rigid Multilayer PCBs up to 32 layers. All of its PCBs are quality tested, passing IPC-A-620 certification.

Newbury Electronics

One of the few UK PCB makers that can do high-volume PCB production, this company can be hired to be any company’s contract Electronic Manufacturing Service provider. Located in Newbury, Berkshire, UK. This place is known as one of the most technologically advanced hubs outside London. Because of its placement, the company can readily supply LCD PCB, OLED PCB, Display PCB, and Monitor PCB to British companies.

PCB Train

Another company headquartered in strategically located Berkshire, this company has been operational for 65 years. It offers the usual PCBs, with special highlights on PCB Stencil, PCB Conformal Coating, and custom-made PCBs. SMD and Through Hole PCB assembly techniques are both used to finish items. The company markets its items to biotech, pharmaceutical, microelectronic, petrochemical, and power production-related companies. It is environmentally conscious in lowering polluting waste/emissions.

Quick-teck

This company has its headquarters in Royston, North Hertfordshire, UK. This is where their sales and customer service staff report to work. However, their manufacturing facilities are in Shenzhen, China. It would typically take 5 to 9 working days for lead time, but up to a month for large orders. This company can do component sourcing and PCB assembly. Customers who do not have 3D CAD files can have their 2D drawings converted for free.

Advantages of PCB Manufacturers in the UK

Some customers outstandingly prefer items manufactured in the UK rather than elsewhere. In this segment, we highlight the main advantages British PCB makers have over their Asian counterparts. These advantages remain even post-Brexit.

Excellent Quality Control

In British PCB manufacturing, quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) are both crucial. The jobs of the QC and QA managers at PCB factories in the UK are related and interconnected. Product evaluation is handled by QC through PCB testing and inspection. Before shipment, quality assurance in PCB manufacturing makes sure that goods and services adhere to the organization’s internal requirements. The organization creates happier clients by carefully examining the quality of PCB goods and PCB services.

Lowered Emissions and Carbon Footprint

UK PCB manufacturers frequently take great care to reduce CO2 emissions at their facilities. With the Net Zero Programme and the Climate Change Act 2008 in place, the UK is committed to reducing emissions. This country is strongly committed to using sustainable energy sources, and the PCB plants are required by law to abide by the regulations. So, compared to PCBs manufactured elsewhere, we can say that those made in the UK are more environmentally friendly. Some companies, particularly those in Europe, only want to do business with eco-friendly companies. In this sense, the UK has an advantage.

Care for British Workers

Equal employment opportunities are provided for minorities and women in UK PCB factories. The government has non-discrimination laws in place to protect workers’ rights. Social justice is the overall result, which is beneficial to society. This may be a big factor for the customers of PCB businesses. Particularly, this is true for UK customers or EU customers. The fact that happier employees generate better goods and services also has a positive impact on client satisfaction.

Dealing in English Fast-Tracks Business Transactions

Since English is their mother tongue, Brits are fluent speakers of the language. In a variety of professional situations, these persons can understand and speak English well. This is crucial in the execution of corporate documentation. English-language communications, business presentations, and legal documents are all understandable to customers. Because English is a global language of communication, this expedites the cooperation needed for work.

Professional PCB Expertise

Engineering PCBs is taught in depth in British schools dedicated to electrical works. These PCB engineers excel as PCB technicians thanks to their in-depth academic preparation and hands-on experience. In addition, both industrial workers and PCB enthusiasts can receive excellent vocational training in the UK. Britain is known for having a top-notch, professional workforce. Businesses may rely on them to sustain ethically good ethics since they expect to behave honorably as a norm.

Disadvantages of PCB Manufacturers in the UK

Using PCB businesses in the UK has certain unique disadvantages. Learn more about them here. When comparing UK corporations to companies situated in other nations, they are compiled based on practical knowledge.

Cost

The cost of PCBs from British businesses is the biggest barrier to bulk consumer purchases. Many British businesses moved their manufacturing operations abroad between 1994 and 2004. These companies sometimes deal with circuit boards and related devices. Offshoring allowed for the fabrication of quick-turn PCBs with a quicker turnaround time in addition to cutting prices. One of the items with the most demand is this type of circuit board, used mostly for consumer electronics.

Brexit-Related Problems

British customers may not have a problem receiving PCB orders within the country, but customers outside Britain may come across Brexit-related issues. Because the country exited the EU, paperwork is required to ship circuit boards to EU nations. Britain primarily ships to Germany, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Reasonably, since exporting the products means an increase in costs, some customers may turn away from British PCB companies.

Specialized Products for Special Sectors

Asian counterparts of PCB makers in the UK can make a wide range of PCBs at a cheaper price. But if PCB makers of the UK make these at their facilities, the tendency is that the cost will amp up. As a result, UK PCB makers market specialized PCBs to special target segments. An example of this is military and aeronautic PCBs for the UK government. UK companies may be patronized out of principle by some loyal UK fans, but when it comes to bulk pieces, most of the PCBs are made in India, Taiwan, or China.

Signs of Trouble Ahead

Recent events suggest that Britain’s economy is not in a good shape. This may continue to be the trend as energy costs increase. Higher prices are just one of the signs that things will get more troublesome for customers doing business with British PCB companies. Because of the current state of events, there is a cost of living crisis. This means that consumers may not be too keen to spend on items not deemed necessary. Budget-wise, food, and medicines will be top priority items, while electronic items may be relegated to the last. This change will impact the demand for PCB orders by electronic device-selling companies.

Types of PCBs Made by UK Manufacturers

The UK produces a wide variety of circuit boards. Due to corporate globalization, you must be a wise consumer and consider what will benefit your bottom line the most.

Here are some PCB kinds produced in the UK that are also produced overseas, particularly in China:

PCBs classified by material: Metal Core PCB, AlN PCB, FR-4 PCB
PCBs are classified by Glass Transition Temperature: Normal Tg, Mid-Tg, and High Tg.
All types of Flexible PCBs like Polyimide PCB, Dupont PCB & Taiflex PCB
Prototype PCBs and Bare Boards
PCBs for miniaturized consumer goods like smartwatches and smartphones
Specialized/ Customized PCBs with unusual shapes and dimensions like very Long PCBs or very Large PCBs

Watch this brief video about the types of PCBs:

How to Choose a Good PCB Manufacturer

Make sure to take the following factors into account when choosing your PCB manufacturer:

Has years of experience, thus it is possible to state that they have a solid track record.
Only IPC-approved items are produced. The bare minimum is IPC Class 2, with some specialized PCBs requiring IPC Class 3 status.
Prior to your large order, the company must be willing to provide samples.
The company is ready to accommodate your request for a third-party audit.
The business collaborates with a reliable delivery service.
You should have access to customer support, ideally round-the-clock.

You can trust our company, PCBTok, if you have PCB projects. We won’t disappoint you, as we meet all these points.

Conclusion

The idea that only UK products are suitable for UK electronics is untrue. In reality, China already manufactures a large portion of UK electronics. The same fact applies to PCBs shipped to UK and sold secondarily by UK companies. It is possible that much of the manufacturing process is done in China, with the final touches left to the UK factories. Then, the item as a whole is labeled, “Made in UK”.

Top PCB Manufacturers in UK