Key dates for your diary – be prepared and minimise disruption.

There are two key dates fast approaching which heighten the risk of disrupting business as usual unless planned for - Brexit and the Chinese New Year

Brexit

Brexit officially comes into effect as of 1st January, 2021.  At present there is confusion as to what impact, if any, Brexit will have on movement of trade across UK borders. As there is no clear directive at present, we have been advised to expect an increase in delays with goods entering or leaving the country and to plan accordingly.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year public holiday is between…

COVID19 - Important Information Update, March 2020

Dear Valued Clients,

Stevenage Circuits and the current Situation,

Our manufacturing facility in Stevenage is open for business, we are accepting orders and providing Customer Support as usual... Why?

For over 20 years we have been supplying printed circuit technology supporting the medical industries products and services including:

• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
• Implantable electrodes and controls for cochlear implants
• Aerogen Nebuliser control systems
• Component parts for the ICU -level remote monitoring of patients
• Microfluidic dispensing
• Radiation therapy
• Robotic Surgery and positioning equipment
• Diagnostic Imaging
•…

Trackwise acquires Stevenage Circuits to enable increased production of unlimited length flexible PCBs

Total consideration of up to £2.5 million supported by £5.9 million fundraising

Tewkesbury, UK: Trackwise Designs has acquired Stevenage Circuits Ltd, a UK-based designer and manufacturer of short flex and rigid printed circuit boards, for up to £2.5 million. The deal enables Trackwise to increase production of its Improved Harness Technology™ (IHT), as well as expand its customer base and boost technical, sales, and operational expertise.

Trackwise’s IHT is based on a proprietary roll-to-roll manufacturing process that eliminates traditional size limitations for flexible printed circuits (FPC). IHT enables Trackwise to produce multilayer FPCs of any length for demanding applications such…

COVID19 also known as Coronavirus - Supply Chain Impact

The proactive identification, and communication of risk are critical in order to avoid disruption to the supply chain.  If your business is impacted, or you become aware of an impact in your supply chain that will subsequently impact Stevenage Circuits, it’s imperative that it’s communicated to us with plans and efforts to mitigate the impact.  Meeting the commitments made to both delivery and product quality are critical for business continuity.

COVID19 also known as Coronavirus - Containment

In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 Stevenage Circuits now have adopted a policy that wherever possible face-to-face meetings should be avoided and “only critical” meetings which must be approved in advance, telephone or video conferencing calls should be arranged instead whilst COVID-19 runs its course.

Stevenage Circuits gain Cyber Essentials PLUS Accreditation

Cyber Essentials PLUS has exactly the same requirements of Cyber Essentials, however, the critical difference is that Cyber Essentials PLUS requires an independent assessment of SCL's security controls. As a result, Cyber Essentials PLUS has become a much more highly regarded certification.

Stevenage Circuits gain JOSCAR Accreditation

JOSCAR is an accreditation system for the aerospace, defence and security sectors.

JOSCAR was established following an initiative led by ADS Group and includes a growing number of prime contractors as registered buyers.

A cross-sector collaboration solution which reduces the time, cost and resources and duplication needed to provide information to major customers.  A risk management tool that objectively assesses potential vendor risks, proportionally to products and services being provided and across areas of compliance. Holding common supplier data in a central system allows information to be accessed by all participating buying organisations.

Well done to Shephalbury Under-7’s!

A big well done to Shephalbury Under-7's for competing in and winning the Season Starter Tournament in Melbourn, Royston!

Stevenage Circuits gain Cyber Essentials Accreditation

Stevenage Circuits Ltd are proud to announce that it has been assessed and certified against the Cyber Essentials scheme test specification.

A primary objective of the UK Government's National Cyber Security Strategy is to make the UK a safer place to conduct business online and all suppliers must be compliant with the new Cyber Essentials controls if bidding for government contracts which involve handling of sensitive and personal information and provision of certain technical products and services. 

To achieve this, CREST was engaged by CESG (now known as the NCSC), the information security arm of GCHQ, to develop an assessment framework to support the…

Stevenage Circuits Purchase ITC Vacuum Resin Filling System

Stevenage Circuits have installed a hole (resin) filling system from ITC Intercircuit GmbH to meet the increasing demand for the filling of micro-vias, blind vias and small diameter or high aspect ratio through holes.

The system comprises a THP35 Double Chamber Plugging machine with a new patented type of vacuum filling head enabling double sided filling of blind and through holes in one step. A new PD 50 Wet Planariser completes the system to grind surplus hole filler and/or copper material after the filling process whilst avoiding heat and stress build up within the manufacturing panel. The complete hole filling…

Stevenage Circuits are proud to sponsor the Leonardo MW Ltd. Charity Golf Day

Stevenage Circuits Ltd were proud to have sponsored the opening hole and nearest the pin on the 11th for the Leonardo MW Ltd, Basildon Charity Golf Day held at the Boyce Hill Golf & Country Club in Benfleet. With thirteen 4 man teams taking part covering the complete supply chain to Leonardo MW Ltd. over £4,000 was raised which will be shared between the following charities: 

• Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Help for Heroes
• Muscular Dystrophy            

Looking for a position in PCB manufacturing

Vacancy: Preproduction Engineer / CAM Engineer.

We are looking for a candidate to join our busy Front End Engineering team utilising the latest generation of preproduction tools and software to assist in analysing and processing customer data prior to manufacture. The preferred candidate would have experience of PCB manufacturing and CAM/CAD experience although this is not essential as training can be given. 

Overall Objective:  To understand product, processes and equipment, in order to produce tooling and documentation for quotations and shop floor route cards using the PCP 2000 system. To panelise customer data to generate all necessary tooling using Frontline INCAM…

Offshore Supply Chain Manager Appointment

In line with the growth plans of Stevenage Circuits the management are pleased to announce the appointment of Pete King as Offshore Supply Chain Manager. Pete possesses over 25 years of PCB industry experience and has spent the last 12 years working with the Offshore Supply and logistics. We are all looking forward to supporting Pete within the business and ensuring that our customer’s needs are met in every way. We wish Pete every success in his new role.

Pete says:-  “I am thrilled to have joined the experienced team at Stevenage Circuits Limited and look forward to working with…

ISO:14001 2015 Certification

Tim Gee, Stevenage Circuits Technical Director is pleased to confirm that Stevenage Circuits have been granted new certification by BSI to ISO:14001 2015 having successfully completed a transition phase over the last 6 month period. Stevenage Circuits respects the environment and understands the potential impact that our business operations may realise to all interested parties. The principles of ISO:14001 together with strong leadership and risk based thinking are measures used to continually minimise the impact of the business operations accordingly.

Nikon video measuring machine becomes the mainstay of PCB manufacturer’s inspection department

A Nikon Metrology video measuring machine has successfully taken over the quality control of printed circuit boards (PCBs) at Stevenage Circuits Limited (SCL) after the graphics card failed in a piece of similar equipment from another supplier. The new iNEXIV VMA4540 is used virtually continuous for 2-D optical coordinate measurement of machined features and copper tracks. It underpins not only first article inspection of boards and printed reports for customers, but also process control in the drilling, etching and routing departments.

Alternatives to a replacement video measuring machine were evaluated, such as table-top varieties of measuring cameras and coordinate measuring…

New Business Development Manager Appointment

The management of Stevenage Circuits Limited are pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathon Meadows in a Business Development Manager capacity. Jonathon possesses a wealth of PCB industry knowledge and experience and, working in conjunction with the team at Stevenage Circuits, we are all looking forward to supporting Jonathon in the challenges associated with establishing mutually beneficial trading relationships in the new business sphere. We wish Jonathon every success in his new role.

New Manufacturing Manager

Stevenage Circuits Limited are pleased to announce the appointment of Daljit Basra as Manufacturing Manager with immediate effect.

‘Bas’ as he is known internally is a vastly experienced individual with a strong Engineering and Manufacturing background borne of some 30+ years of employment within the high-end complexity PCB manufacturing sector. The entire operational team here at Stevenage Circuits is fully committed to supporting and working closely with Bas to cement and embellish the many strengths that exist within the workforce, and, to ensure the long-term health of Stevenage Circuits Limited within what remains a challenging marketplace.     

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, has more than 4,000 years of history and is the longest holiday of the year. In the 21st century, the national holiday begins on the first of the Lunar Calendar and lasts until the 15th of the first month. In 2019, Chinese New Year begins on January 13th and ends February 19th.

Laba Festival                     Jan 13th

Little Year                           Jan 28th - Feb 4th - Preparation for the new year begins on January 28th, 2019, and lasts until…

In line with Stevenage Circuits growth plan an additional Pre-production Engineer has been recruited

Following the acquisition of Anglia Circuits Ltd Stevenage Circuits are pleased to announce that Daley Stocker who was their Pre-production Engineer has joined the team, Daley also has great experience as a manufacturing operator and test technician during his 15 years at Anglia Circuits.Daley’s main roles are to support the internal and external sales team with:

• Analysis and advice on customer CAD data and technical drawings.
• Perform Design Rule Checks to ensure designs comply with manufacturing capabilities.
• Assist in the preparation of route cards, specific build requirements including impedance control.
• Assisting sales on customer visits for technical support.
• Supporting sales…

Keeping the country going

Stevenage Circuits Ltd have recently secured a large industrial power contract supplying technically demanding PCB's.

Stevenage Circuits continues to grow

Stevenage Circuits Ltd are pleased to announce the acquisition of Anglia Circuits based in St Ives.

Stevenage and Anglia have a long standing relationship reaching back over 20 years and have collaborated closely together on numerous projects in the past with common customers.

The team at Stevenage is looking forward to ensuring that all the new and existing customers of Anglia continue to receive excellent customer service, quality and delivery, along with the enhanced technical capability that Stevenage Circuits customers already benefit from.

SCL appoints new Quality Manager

The SCL board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Soderquist as the SCL Quality Manager.


With a demonstrable career held within PCB fabrication spanning greater than 40 years, Paul has held management positions within engineering, quality assurance and laboratory analysis. Without a doubt Paul’s in-depth understanding of PCB manufacture will be an asset to both SCL and its clients maintaining both our QMS and product integrity to very high standards.

SCL appoints a Business Development Director

The SCL Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Fairclough as Business Development Director.

Mike has worked on the customer service side of the electrical & electronics industry for over 25 years after serving his time as an aircraft electrical systems technician at BAE Systems.

Mike’s knowledge and experience in the Interconnect, assembly and Printed Circuit Board industries will further enhance the support that Stevenage Circuits can bring to its customers.

The team at SCL welcomes Mike on board and are looking forward to supporting and working…

SCL further increases its capability through a major Technology Investment

YAVNE, ISRAEL, JULY 07, 2015 | ORBOTECH LTD. Orbotech announced today that Stevenage Circuits Ltd, (SCL) has purchased Orbotech’s latest cutting-edge Laser Direct Imaging (LDI) system, the Nuvogo™ 800. Click here for the full article

Stevenage Circuits & Coventry University, form Innovation Partnership

A programme devised by the UK's Technology Strategy Board, known as the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), has enabled a collaboration between Coventry University (Knowledge base) and Stevenage Circuits Limited (Industry). The partnership will allow flow of information from the University to the company where it can be directed toward innovative projects. Coventry University brings in the expertise of Dr. Andrew Cobley and his Functional Materials team, represented by Narinder Bains, whilst the project at Stevenage Circuits is led by Tim Gee, technical director and Phil Firth, technical manager.

The aim of the project is to improve the…

Well Done Roxsane!

Ever thought about jumping out of a plane? Well Roxsane Brown did and in doing so raised £306-00 for our favourite charity Stevenage LD day Service (formerly known as Leyden House). Roxsane who runs our despatch department said: “jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet sounds scary but you don’t really have time to think about it, there’s so many things you have to in preparation for the jump and once you’re on the plane there’s no backing out, they tell you ‘no means go!’” she went on to say: “the free-fall was amazing and once the chute opens…

State of The Art Ink Jet Printing On Both Rigid and Flex PCBs

We are pleased to announce the recent delivery and installation of our new Orbotech Sprint 120 ink jet legend printing machine. In addition to increasing our overall manufacturing productivity within our solder-mask department the Sprint 120 offers the following capabilities;
• Direct network link and data output available from our Genesis 2000 CAM enabling instant access to data files. Ideal for the ultra-fast printing of prototype panels to further enhance our fast turn-a-round manufacturing capability (every hour saved counts).
• Capable of printing at 1040 DPI with character sizes of less than 0.5mm, and line widths of 100um.…

Stevenage Circuits Ltd (SCL) - Receives Intellect Business Professional Certificate Award

To view click here.

SCL Receives big ‘Thank You’ for Donation

Sue McIndoe, Day Service Manager relates:

"Stevenage LD day Service (formerly known as Leyden House) is a day service for adults with learning disabilities with five bases in Stevenage providing day care activities for 80 people of all ability levels. Leyden House (in Gunnels Wood Road) was neighbours with Stevenage Circuits for many years and were in regular receipt of a generous cash donation every Christmas to the Amenity Fund. This tradition continued when Stevenage Circuits relocated to Caxton Way. Over the years the money has gone towards providing equipment and activities for service users. This has…

Thank You

Tim Gee our Technical Director would like to thank the ICT and all of those attendees who showed interest in SCL and our new Semblant process Tim presented at the meeting ICT last night.

For those who would like copy of this presentation, please email our Sales Manager, Mr David Wyllie david.wyllie@stevenagecircuits.co.uk
...

SCL complete additional upgrades to further enhance our laser micro-via and profiling capability

“We are pleased to announce an additional up-grade within the Stevenage Circuits laser suite facility with the installation of a 14W/0 - 45,000Khz laser source to one of our UV Yag laser ablation machines. This technical up-grade costing near to £100k will enable faster and more concise processing of our HDI flex/rigid multilayer panels. Stevenage are consistently seeing an increased demand for micro-via and precision machining of flexible materials, this new addition will ensure that we can meet the demands of our customers fast turn-a-round requirements.”
...

Stevenage Extends its Copper Filled Micro-via Plating Capability for High Reliability HDI Products

SCL are pleased to announce the installation and commissioning of 10 additional plating cells using the latest inert anode technology for the plating of copper filled micro-vias. This addition to our production facility takes our total number of plating cells to 14 and enables a throughput capability not matched elsewhere within the UK.

This investment and response has been driven by the need for increased speed, portability and wiring density, the interconnect pitch on semiconductor packages and corresponding High Density interconnect (HDI) substrates continue to shrink. The combination of filled blind micro-vias and multi-level…

SCL Board Appointment

Stevenage Circuits Ltd (SCL) are pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Gee to its board as Technical Director, Tim has been with the company overall for 25 years.
Speaking on behalf of the board Managing Director Robert Brown said:

“Tim’s appointment as a Director comes as no surprise to those who know or have worked with him. Tim has always displayed a deep and passionate commitment to our company, its clients and the advancement of PCB technology as a whole”. Rob went on to say “Tim not only has an advanced and broad…

We have pleasure in announcing the following changes to our management structure

By way of promotion Peter Hill is now CAM Engineering Manager and Phil Firth Technical Manager.
Peter who has worked at SCL for 11 years said: “I am very happy to have been offered this opportunity which will enable me to put into action ideas I have. These changes will benefit our clients by improving response time and quality of service. Having worked for SCL for some years I am aware of our strengths (and weaknesses), so my new position will allow me to make an informed contribution toward the direction of the company resulting in a better…

Stevenage Circuits Receive a Corporate Supplier Excellence Award

For the second year running the UK PCB manufacturer Stevenage Circuits Ltd (SCL) have received a Supplier Excellence Award from a UK division of a major corporate US Defense contractor.
Robert Brown SCLs Managing Director attended the award ceremony to personally collect the award on behalf of the company and spoke about his staff and the company’s commitment to maintain its ‘in full, on time delivery’ record. Rob went on to thank their client for its “continued support” and “help toward Stevenage Circuits achieving the UKs defence, space and aerospace accreditation SC21”. Implemented in 2011, SCL is working towards…

SC21

SCL are engaged within the SC21 initiative with key client Selex Communications Limited in partnership with Quintec. Supply Chain 21 (SC21) is a change programme which aims to accelerate the competitiveness of the UK's defence and aerospace industry by raising the performance of its supply chains.
The SCL senior management team see this as an exciting opportunity to engage in a program which will both benefit our operational capabilities in harmony with the expectations of the Defence, Avionics and Aerospace business sectors.

For more information visit:
www.selex-comms.com
www.quintec.com
...

SCL receives yet another Key Supplier Award

SCL wins further recognition for its ability to provide a complete service package to all of its clients – in this instance the 2nd consecutive year with a key Defence sector contractor. Excellence in consistently achieving year on year Quality and ON-Time Delivery matrices has led to this award. This further underlines SCL’s commitment and capability to service worldwide player such as EADS Astrium and BAE Systems in this market-place....