SMT Developments joins the MAN Group

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," Henderson said. "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.