Active-PCB
Active-PCB Solutions is a UK-based, privately held EMS provider in Reading offering high-reliability PCB assembly, conformal coating, testing, box build and IPC training to defence, aerospace, medical and industrial OEMs from a single integrated facility with 101-250 employees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersReading, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Active-PCB does
Active-PCB Solutions Ltd is a UK-based, privately held electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider headquartered in Reading, Berkshire, operating a single integrated facility with 101-250 employees and nearly three decades of industry experience. The company delivers high-reliability PCB assembly — both through-hole and Surface Mount Technology (SMT) — alongside conformal coating, automated optical and X-ray inspection, functional and flying-probe testing, box-build integration, prototyping/NPI, rework and refurbishment, and off-shore volume production. Core technology is centred on a modern SMT automation stack (Juki pick-and-place, Koh Young AOI, BTU Pyrammax reflow ovens, Nordson Quadra 3 X-ray, Rehm Protecto XP selective conformal coating, YJ Link NOVLUX laser marking, Seamark XC1000 AI component counter) housed in a single UK site on the M4 corridor.
The business serves primarily defence, aerospace and medical OEMs, with secondary exposure to communications and industrial electronics, and is differentiated by an unusually complete regulatory and certification stack for its size: EN9100/AS9100, ISO 9001/14001/45001, JOSCAR, Cyber Essentials+, and four IPC certifications, plus an in-house IPC-accredited Training Academy. In August 2025 Active-PCB formed the Agile Circuit Technology Group, a non-equity strategic alliance with Garner Osborne Circuits that combines 62 years of history and over 1,000 years of PCB manufacturing experience while preserving both companies' independence.
Active-PCB operates a pure direct enterprise-sales model with no resellers or distributors: a dedicated Account Management team supported by a Business Development Executive handles quoting, NDA-protected project reviews and facility-visit consultations, with bespoke project-based pricing. Revenue streams span core assembly services, turnkey component sourcing, conformal coating, testing/inspection, external IPC training, and off-shore volume production. The company is independent, with no disclosed parent, no funding rounds, and no public listing.
Active-PCB firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Active-PCB
- Legal name
- Active-PCB Solutions Ltd
- Website
- https://www.active-pcb.com/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Active-PCB Solutions is a UK-based, privately held EMS provider in Reading offering high-reliability PCB assembly, conformal coating, testing, box build and IPC training to defence, aerospace, medical and industrial OEMs from a single integrated facility with 101-250 employees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Active-PCB industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electronics Manufacturing Services (PCB Assembly)
- NAICS
- Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing (334418)
- SIC
- Printed Circuit Boards (3672)
- akta.pro primary industry
- PCB Assembly (PCBA/EMS) (HDAHAOAI)
Keywords
Where Active-PCB is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Reading
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Active-PCB business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- PCB Assembly Services: Core revenue stream from providing through-hole PCB assembly and Surface Mount Technology (SMT) assembly services, from prototype through to full production volumes. Includes box build integration and electro-mechanical assembly.
- Component Sourcing / Turnkey Services: Full-service component procurement and sourcing as part of turnkey PCB assembly solutions, where Active-PCB manages the entire supply chain from component procurement through to finished assembly.
- In-House Conformal Coating: Integrated conformal coating services including nanocoating, acrylic coating (Humiseal 1B31), and urethane coating (Humiseal 1A33), delivered in-house as part of the manufacturing process. Provides a single accountable partner from build through to final protection.
- Testing and Inspection Services: Comprehensive testing services including Automated Optical Inspection (AOI), Flying Probe Testing, Functional Testing, and X-Ray Testing, charged as part of the assembly service or as standalone quality assurance services.
- IPC Training Services: IPC-certified training programmes delivered to both internal staff and external partners, covering full certification, recertification, and testing/recertification pathways for IPC-A-610, IPC-WHMA-A-620, IPC-J-STD-001, and IPC-7711/7721.
- Off-Shore Volume Production: Scalable production services spanning from single prototypes to high-volume offshore manufacturing, offering competitive rates and a seamless process tailored to individual customer needs.
- PCB Rework and Refurbishment: Rework and refurbishment services providing repair and restoration of PCBs, giving old assemblies a new lease of life and contributing to sustainability and e-waste reduction.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-specific pricing based on individual customer requirements, volumes, and service scope. |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
Active-PCB product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Active-PCB Solutions is a UK-based electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider that manufactures high-complexity PCB assemblies and electro-mechanical products, from prototype through to full production volume. Core offerings include through-hole and SMT PCB assembly, in-house conformal coating (nanocoating, acrylic, urethane), comprehensive testing and inspection (AOI, flying probe, functional, X-ray), and box build/system integration, all delivered from its Reading, Berkshire facility.
Product overview
Active-PCB Solutions is a UK-based PCB assembly and electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider offering a comprehensive suite of services from prototype through to full production. The core offering centers on PCB Assembly combining through-hole and Surface Mount Technology (SMT), supported by in-house capabilities including conformal coating (nanocoating, acrylic, urethane), testing and inspection (AOI, Flying Probe, Functional, X-Ray), and box build integration. Additional services include prototyping and NPI, off-shore volume production, rework and refurbishment, and turnkey PCB assembly services. The company also offers IPC Training and maintains a Training Academy for staff development. Recent investments have strengthened end-to-end manufacturing capability, including a new in-house conformal coating facility, advanced inspection systems (Quins, Koh Young AOI), laser marking for traceability, and SMT line optimization equipment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PCB Assembly (Through-Hole & SMT)
- Box Build Assembly
- Conformal Coating
- PCB Testing & Inspection
- Off-Shore Volume Production
- Prototyping & NPI (New Product Introduction)
- Reworking & Refurbishment
- Turnkey PCB Assembly Services
- IPC Training
- Training Academy
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,000th PCB assembly coated milestone reached since launching in-house conformal coating facility
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Active-PCB
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Active-PCB technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability3 records
Feature10 records
Active-PCB partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Garner Osborne Circuits LtdcoreActive-PCB Solutions and Garner Osborne Circuits Ltd formed the Agile Circuit Technology Group, a strategic alliance bringing together 62 years of history and over 1,000 combined years of PCB manufacturing experience. The alliance aims to share knowledge, resources, and best practices while maintaining the independence and UK heritage of both companies, positioning the group to deliver enhanced agility, reliability, and innovation in UK contract electronics manufacturing.
- Altus Group LtdcoreAltus Group Ltd supplied and installed the Quins first article inspection system and conducted in-depth AOI training for the Active-PCB team on the Koh Young Technology AOI systems. Altus also supported the installation of the YJ Link NOVLUX Laser Marker and provides ongoing technical training.
- IPC (Institute for Printed Circuits)coreActive-PCB Solutions holds IPC certifications and operates an IPC-accredited in-house trainer qualified to deliver IPC-A-610, IPC-WHMA-A-620, IPC-J-STD-001, and IPC-7711/7721 training. IPC is the governing body for electronics industry standards.
- Global Electronics AssociationminorActive-PCB Solutions is a member of the Global Electronics Association, which provides industry resources, networking, and IPC certification programmes for electronics manufacturers.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Active-PCB competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Garner Osborne Circuits Ltd: UK-based PCB fabrication and assembly house with comparable focus on high-reliability, aerospace, and defence customers. Direct competitor on most UK deals and the August 2025 alliance partner of Active-PCB within the Agile Circuit Technology Group.
- Exception PCB Solutions: UK-based PCB assembly and electronics manufacturing services provider offering prototyping through to volume runs. Directly comparable in scale, geography, and customer base, competing for mid-market UK electronics contracts.
- Newbury Electronics: UK PCB manufacturer offering assembly, prototyping, and box build services from a Berkshire-area footprint. Comparable in customer segment mix (industrial, defence-adjacent) and long-established UK heritage.
- Custom Interconnect Ltd: UK-based electronics manufacturing services and cable harness assembly specialist with strong regulated-industry credentials. Closely comparable in service mix (PCBA, wiring, conformal coating) and target verticals (defence, medical, industrial).
- Hughes Electronics Manufacturing Services: UK-based contract electronics manufacturer serving aerospace, defence, medical, and industrial sectors. Comparable in regulated-vertical orientation and PCBA/box build offering, competing on the same UK enterprise account footprint.
Broad incumbents
- TT Electronics plc: UK-headquartered global electronics manufacturer with a substantial EMS and sensor division serving aerospace, defence, and medical markets. A larger incumbent offering overlapping PCBA capability as part of a wider portfolio of components and subsystems.
- Note AB: Northern European EMS provider offering PCBA, box build, and high-reliability assembly to industrial and medtech customers. Larger, more geographically diversified incumbent competing for European accounts with comparable service model.
- Scanfil plc: Global Tier 1 EMS provider headquartered in Finland with a broad industrial and aerospace customer base. Provides PCBA and box build at materially larger scale, posing a competitive threat for enterprise contract wins.
Regional players
- Hanza AB: Nordic-based EMS provider offering PCBA and box build across Northern and Central Europe. Comparable in service model and vertical mix, but anchored in Nordic rather than UK markets, limiting direct overlap.
- ESCATEC Switzerland AG: Swiss-headquartered EMS provider with PCB assembly, box build, and conformal coating capabilities serving medical, industrial, and aerospace customers in Europe. Comparable service profile and regulated-vertical positioning but continental rather than UK geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Active-PCB social profiles
Digital presenceActive-PCB compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance13 records
Active-PCB financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Active-PCB leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Active-PCB funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Active-PCB M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Active-PCB
What does Active-PCB do?
Active-PCB Solutions is a UK-based electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider that manufactures high-complexity PCB assemblies and electro-mechanical products, from prototype through to full production volume. Core offerings include through-hole and SMT PCB assembly, in-house conformal coating (nanocoating, acrylic, urethane), comprehensive testing and inspection (AOI, flying probe, functional, X-ray), and box build/system integration, all delivered from its Reading, Berkshire facility.
Is Active-PCB a public or private company?
Active-PCB is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Active-PCB founded?
Active-PCB was founded in 1997. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Active-PCB based?
Active-PCB is headquartered in Reading, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Active-PCB make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. PCB Assembly Services are the primary driver. The others are component Sourcing / Turnkey Services, in-House Conformal Coating, testing and Inspection Services, IPC Training Services, off-Shore Volume Production and PCB Rework and Refurbishment.
Who are Active-PCB's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Garner Osborne Circuits Ltd, Exception PCB Solutions, Newbury Electronics, Custom Interconnect Ltd and Hughes Electronics Manufacturing Services. Broad incumbents are TT Electronics plc, Note AB and Scanfil plc. Regional players are Hanza AB and ESCATEC Switzerland AG.
Does Active-PCB have an API?
No public API is recorded for Active-PCB.
What industry is Active-PCB in?
Active-PCB's product category is Electronics Manufacturing Services (PCB Assembly). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAOAI, PCB Assembly (PCBA/EMS). Its NAICS code is 334418 and its SIC code is 3672.