Pictured above: (l-r) Bill Henderson and Phil Rowley (both
SMT Developments)
A Warwick-based PCB assembly specialist is the latest company to
join MAN, a unique collection of Midlands-based manufacturers.
SMT Developments, which employs 28 people at its Hurlbutt Road
facility, is the ninth firm to join the group's portfolio of
expertise and believes its technical capabilities in electronic
contract manufacturing will help bring in a host of new orders in
the automotive, medical and defence fields.
In addition to boosting sales, the firm is also keen to tap into
the operational benefits that can be achieved from working as part
of a world-first collaboration, including sharing best practice,
quality tips and training and development of staff.
"The last couple of years have been tough for our industry with
the global recession reducing volumes and then a shortage of
electronic components causing problems with supply," explained Bill
Henderson, Business Development Manager at SMT Developments.
"2011 has started much stronger and we're predicting £3m
turnover by December and this new appetite for growth was one of
the reasons behind our decision to join MAN."
He continued: "The collaborative approach is one that appeals to
us as a business. Importantly each of the nine members bring a
different manufacturing specialism to the table so there's no
competition…just a desire to work together to bring orders
to the UK."
Originally established as part of an Advantage West
Midlands-backed automotive initiative, MAN has evolved into a
self-sustainable group that boasts a combined turnover of
£70m and employs in excess of 600 people.
The five original members - Alucast, Barkley Plastics,
Brandauer, FW Cables and Westley Engineering - have been joined by
Advanced Chemical Etching, PP Electrical Systems, Wrekin Circuits
and now SMT Developments, giving it a complete manufacturing
solution for customers in every sector imaginable.
By pooling expertise and capabilities, the coalition has secured
in excess of £10m of contracts, including two new orders in
the last six weeks.
"Our core skills in complex PCB assembly and prototyping for
surface mount and through-hole technologies will add even greater
diversity to the MAN offer," pointed out Bill.
"We have extensive electronic assembly facilities for both RoHS
and non-RoHS components and already serve a number of blue chip
clients in the aerospace, military and security industries.
"There are definite synergies between us and the other members
and we are looking forward to maximising the combined marketing
push, the new website (www.man-group.co.uk) and forthcoming
appearances at major exhibitions."
SMT Developments, which has already made its commitment to the
aerospace, defence and security sector's SC21 programme, provides
solutions in PCB design and layout and can also offer total turnkey
services from prototype to fully tested total product build.
Its assemblies are used in a wide range of products and
environments, including medical, Formula 1, marine and lasers.
Future plans for the Warwick-based business include building on
two ICP accreditations for the electronics industry, securing
AS9100 and relocation to a larger facility that will centralise its
existing manufacturing operations.