BASINGSTOKE, July 20, 2026 – Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider EC Electronics has announced the acquisition of Fastlink Data Cables. Additionally, this move further strengthens its UK manufacturing capability and supports the company’s long-term growth strategy through strategic acquisitions.

Completed on 15 July 2026, the acquisition brings specialist cable assembly expertise, an established customer base, and an experienced workforce into the EC Electronics Group. Furthermore, it expands the Group’s presence in high-growth sectors, including data centres, defence, and aerospace.

Founded in 1993 and based in Swindon, the company has built a strong reputation for manufacturing high-quality cable assemblies and box build solutions. Specifically, there is particular expertise in supporting data centre critical power and cooling applications. Moreover, they support long-established defence and aerospace programmes. The company employs 54 people and generates annual revenues of approximately £6 million.

For customers, the acquisition will be seamless. Fastlink Data Cables will continue to operate from its existing Swindon manufacturing facility under its established name, with the same team and customer contacts. As part of the EC Electronics Group, customers will now have access to a wider range of Electronics Manufacturing Services. These include PCB assembly, cable assembly, box build, overmoulding and potting. Furthermore, this is supported by additional manufacturing capacity across the UK and Europe. Ultimately, this enables customers to consolidate more of their manufacturing requirements with one trusted partner. Thus, helping to simplify supply chains, improve flexibility and support future growth.

Therefore, the combination also creates greater flexibility for customers by increasing manufacturing capacity. This enables faster response times and provides access to specialist engineering expertise across multiple disciplines. With our international manufacturing footprint complementing quick-turn UK capability, customers will benefit from a stronger, more resilient manufacturing partner.

Established in 1984, EC Electronics has built its reputation on long-term partnerships, engineering expertise and continuous investment. Today, with manufacturing facilities across the UK, the Netherlands and Romania, the Group provides customers with significant scale. Consequently, we offer the flexibility and resilience needed to support increasingly complex global supply chains.

The acquisition follows EC Electronics’ successful integration of Hunter Cables in 2016, Swan EMS in 2022, and Liad Electronics in 2024. Additionally, we recently integrated Gwent Electronic Materials earlier this year. Indeed, this demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to strategic growth through acquisition and ongoing investment in UK manufacturing.

The addition further strengthens the Group’s position in attractive, high-growth markets. Consequently, increasing demand for AI-driven data centre infrastructure creates significant opportunities. Furthermore, continued investment across defence and aerospace supports the combined group. The recent acquisition of Gwent Electronic Materials brings AS9100 aerospace accreditation into the Group. Thus, it further enhances our ability to support customers operating in these high-reliability sectors.

Commenting on the acquisition, Phil Simmonds, Executive Chairman of EC Electronics, said, “The acquisition marks a further step in our strategy. We are building a scalable, high-mix electronics manufacturing platform. Consequently, this serves blue-chip customers across defence, industrial and data centre markets. We look forward to supporting Richard and the team with their continued growth.”

Richard Joynson, Sales Director, said: “Joining EC Electronics is an exciting next chapter for our team. We share the same commitment to quality, engineering excellence and outstanding customer service. Therefore, becoming part of a larger group gives us the scale and capacity to say yes to more opportunities. This is backed by a supportive partner in Rockpool Investments. I’m looking forward to building on everything the team has achieved and helping our customers grow.”

Together, EC Electronics and Fastlink Data Cables create a broader, more resilient manufacturing partner for customers across the UK and Europe. By combining complementary expertise and expanding manufacturing capacity, we are investing in long-term capability. Therefore, the Group is well positioned to support customers through increasingly complex engineering, supply chain and production challenges.

Ultimately, the acquisition represents another significant milestone in our long-term growth strategy. Furthermore, it reinforces the company’s commitment to investing in UK manufacturing. Consequently, strengthening our Electronics Manufacturing Services offering delivers even greater value to customers.

EC Electronics is a trusted Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider with over 40 years’ experience. Consequently, we deliver high-quality solutions from our UK and European facilities. The company supports customers from design and prototyping through to full-scale production. Specifically, we offer PCB and cable assembly, overmoulding, potting, conformal coating and complete turnkey manufacturing. Furthermore, our expertise helps businesses overcome challenges around quality, scalability, supply chain complexity and time to market. Focused on engineering reliability and manufacturing responsibly, we combine certified processes and advanced technology. Thus, a partnership-led approach brings innovative products to life.