PCB maker shows off 35 years of experience

Prestwick Circuits is one of Europe's largest manufacturers of printed circuit boards, supplying to the worldwide automotive, telecomms, medical and defence industries.

Prestwick Circuits is one of Europe's largest manufacturers of printed circuit boards, supplying to the worldwide automotive, telecomms, medical and defence industries.

Established 35 years ago with the objective of creating a precision manufacturing facility for high quality PCBs, Prestwick has maintained a solid and consistent performance over the years and remains dedicated to providing quality products at competitive prices.

Prestwick today exports over 85% of its products, compared with a figure of 11% 20 years ago, with over 80% of PCBs manufactured at the Irvine plant being supplied to Tier 1 automotive suppliers.

It was a Prestwick director in the mid-1980s who first recognised the growth potential of electronics in the automotive sector, and the company's wealth of experience in this area has enabled it to endure the cyclical nature of the PCB industry.

Recognising the automotive industry's stringent quality demands, Prestwick is among the first of the leading European PCB manufacturers to successfully register to automotive standard TS16949:2002.

This is a major business initiative that will allow Prestwick to continue to successfully compete in an industry with an unprecedented growth rate.

The award also reflects the enhanced business processes within Prestwick, providing a competitive edge over alternative suppliers.

Prestwick Circuits is committed to environmental initiatives and is IPPC compliant and is currently working towards ISO14001 approval.

The initial audit for ISO14001 approval has been completed, and full certification should be awarded by December 2004.

The implementation of such certifications is essential to future business success.

The appointment of a dedicated environmental engineer, Hodi Mirafsari, late in 2003 is a reflection of Prestwick's commitment to environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, tasking him with overseeing and managing the company's environmental initiatives to optimise process and product efficiency, effective waste management and recycling.

Over the last 18 months, numerous improvements have been made to the company's water and electricity consumption, enabling Prestwick to reduce it's consumption of water by 31% and electricity by over 15%.

Additionally, the company has also received recognition as a Sony Green Partner, awarded only to suppliers who proactively seek to reduce their negative environmental impact.

Mirafsari's appointment provides Prestwick with the expertise to implement and maintain its environmental programme, benefiting the company's local community, its employees and customers, and the business as a whole.

Prestwick's acquisition by TT Electronics in 1999 was the beginning of a significant investment programme for the PCB manufacturer, injecting over GBP 20 million into the Irvine plant.

The company now boasts leading-edge techniques, technology and equipment, strengthening its position to compete for contracts at a higher technology level.

Recent investments include advanced drilling equipment, state of the art PAL electroless plating line for small-hole/microvia plating, and advanced automatic double density test equipment.

As important as the company's automotive, environmental and technological expertise is the skills of its staff.

Prestwick has recently reinforced its engineering, production and sales departments with highly qualified recruits to encourage a fresh approach to tried and tested practices, essential for the company's continued development.

Speaking of Prestwick's achievements since its inception in 1969, Managing Director Derek Mansfield says: "The UK PCB industry is a tough environment, never more so than in recent years".

"To successfully stay on top companies have to work harder than ever before at all aspects of the business".

"Quality awards, sound environmental practices, leading-edge manufacturing technology and staff with a passion for the business are part and part of maintaining Prestwick's continued growth and I look forward to seeing the company expand for at least another 35 years".

Prestwick Circuits will be exhibiting at Electronica in Hall B1, Stand 431 and welcomes customers, both old and new.

Its parent company, TT Electronics, will be exhibiting in Hall 5, Stand 106.

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