Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) need electronics manufacturing partners that can confidently take products from early builds to stable volume without disruption.

This confidence means designs will transfer smoothly into production, supply chains will hold up under pressure and every unit shipped will perform reliably in the field.

That’s exactly what EC Electronics is built for.

We’re a global partner for electronic manufacturing services — supporting OEMs from early design and new product introduction through to scaled production, test and delivery, across a connected footprint in the UK, the Netherlands and Romania.

One connected manufacturing footprint, built around OEM needs

EC’s model is simple: give OEMs end-to-end support, without the friction of managing multiple suppliers, sites and handovers. As a specialist printed circuit board (PCB), electronics box build and cable assembly manufacturer, EC Electronics provides fully integrated capability across PCB, cable assembly, overmoulding, conformal coating, and potting and encapsulation, right through to complete turnkey manufacturing of your full product.

For OEMs, this joined-up approach reduces risk in three key ways:

• Fewer interfaces and failures: design, build, integration and quality sit inside one organisation, with consistent systems and governance.
• Scale without compromising control: EC’s European footprint supports both specialist low- to medium-volume builds and cost-efficient, high-volume production.
• Quality that travels with the product: EC’s sites operate to the same rigorous quality standards and certifications, so you don’t have to re-qualify your expectations when production moves location.

This is why OEMs turn to EC for electronic manufacturing services when they need responsiveness today — and a partner that can still deliver when their product takes off tomorrow.

From printed circuit board assembly to complete systems

OEM programmes rarely stay still. A product might start with prototypes and low volumes, then move to scheduled builds, then expand into multiple variants or regional demand. EC’s capability set is designed to support that entire journey.

Printed circuit board assembly is a core foundation of that journey. EC builds to IPC-A-610 Class 3 (the highest PCBA workmanship standard) and supports manufacturing with advanced inspection and test processes, including AOI, ICT and functional testing. That means fewer escapes, better field performance and smoother scaling for OEMs who can’t afford quality drift.

As programmes mature, cable complexity tends to increase — especially in industrial and capital equipment, automotive, marine and security applications. EC supports this with dedicated capability as a cable assembly manufacturer, operating to IPC/WHMA-A-620 Class 3. The cable assembly service includes automated wire processing (including Komax equipment) and in-process digital crimp analysis to support repeatability at volume.

From there, EC can take products further into full integration. Our box build electronics service combines PCBs, cables, mechanical integration, testing, packaging and logistics into a single turnkey flow, so you receive fully assembled, tested products that are ready for market. For many OEM teams, that removes a major operational burden: fewer suppliers, fewer inbound parts, fewer internal assembly steps and a simpler supply chain.

And when protection and reliability matter — especially in harsh environments — EC’s overmoulding and encapsulation capabilities help you reduce failures caused by moisture, vibration and physical stress.

All of this sits within a single partner model — one reason OEMs choose EC’s electronic manufacturing services to accelerate time-to-market while keeping risk under control.

But how did we get here?

We didn’t become a multi-site manufacturing group overnight. The story is one of steady capability-building — adding services, expanding footprint and bringing specialist teams into the group to strengthen what EC can deliver for OEMs.

EC Electronics began in 1984, incorporated as a cable assembly specialist. Over time, customer needs evolved — and EC evolved with them:

• 1984: Founded and incorporated, specialising in cable assembly.
• 1998: Printed circuit board manufacturing was added to our service offering.
• 1999: EC relocated to a new factory in Basingstoke, which remains the current head office.
• 2000: EC acquired Thrust Electronics to diversify its customer base.
• 2006: Romanian subsidiary company SC EC Electronics SRL was established to take advantage of low-cost manufacturing.
• 2010: EC Supply Chain Solutions Ltd, EC’s Hong Kong subsidiary, was established.
• 2015: EC acquired PCB assembly company Sub Assembly Services Ltd (SAS), adding significant UK capacity focused on printed circuit board assembly
• 2016: EC acquired Hunter Cable Assembly Ltd, strengthening UK cable assembly and box build electronics
• 2018: EC announced a major investment programme — upgrading surface-mount capability and adding equipment in cable assembly to improve throughput and cost, supported by AOI technology.
• 2019: EC Electronics BV was established with an office in Amsterdam.
• 2022: EC acquired Swan EMS Ltd, expanding service range and technical support, including cable assembly, PCB assembly and box build electronics.
• 2024: EC acquired Netherlands-based Liad Electronics Breda BV, expanding our manufacturing capacity and presence in mainland Europe and strengthening support for customers with sophisticated electronics requirements.

This journey has also included notable recognition, such as the Inspire Business of the Year award EC received in 2014. EC Electronics has also been shortlisted in industry awards, including recognition connected to overmoulding innovation.

What EC Electronics stands for

Capability and footprint matter — but what really sustains long-term OEM partnerships is what a manufacturer prioritises day after day. For EC Electronics, two themes consistently stand out: responsible manufacturing of sustainable electronic products and uncompromising quality.

Sustainability and the circular economy in practice

EC’s sustainability strategy is rooted in action: embedding ESG principles across divisions and focusing on measurable progress in environmental responsibility, product design and supply chain accountability.

That includes clear commitments and targets such as:

• 92% of waste diverted from landfill, with a group-wide waste reduction plan in progress.
• A UK fleet planned to be 100% electric by 2026, alongside work to measure renewable vs non-renewable energy use.
• Designing for longevity: building for reparability and recyclability, with RoHS and REACH compliant components.

For OEMs building sustainable electronic products, this matters because sustainability can’t be bolted on at the end. Design choices affect material use, product lifetime, repair pathways and end-of-life outcomes. EC explicitly links product development to lifecycle impact, using modularity and smarter design to minimise waste and support responsible use of materials.

Circular economy thinking is also a practical focus area. EC is committed to extending product and material life by recovering and reusing components where possible and ensuring scrap metals and plastics are segregated and reprocessed through certified recycling partners. We aim to showcase zero-waste best practices across divisions by 2027.

For OEMs, this is how sustainable electronic products become easier to deliver: your manufacturing partner is actively set up to reduce waste, support repair and reuse strategies, and strengthen supply chain accountability through supplier engagement and audits.

Quality assurance that protects OEM products

At EC, quality assurance is built into every stage of manufacture, supported by certified systems, validated processes and robust inspection and testing that help products perform reliably in demanding environments.

Key pillars include:

• IPC-A-610 Class 3 workmanship standard for printed circuit board assembly, supported by controlled build processes and verified inspection.
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 Class 3 standard for cable assemblies, backed by our cable assembly manufacturer controls for consistency and traceability from build to build.
• Multi-site ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications for quality and environmental management.
• Compliance support for safety-critical applications via ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU and IECEx (EN ISO/IEC 80079-34:2018).
• Advanced inspection and test processes including AOI, ICT and ATE, plus conformal coating, potting and encapsulation.

For OEMs, this translates into fewer defects, fewer returns and stronger confidence when scaling. Whether you’re moving from prototype to production, increasing volume or integrating a complete system, consistent quality systems protect your end customer experience.

To explore how EC Electronics can support your next project, contact our team today to book a short scoping call. We will review your design and supply requirements and outline the best approach for electronic manufacturing services across our multi-site European footprint.