Active-PCB

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.

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

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

• PCB assembly services
• Electronics manufacturing services
• Surface mount technology
• Conformal coating services
• Box build assembly

Headquarters

HQ city

Reading

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core 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

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Garner Osborne Circuits LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2025Active-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 LtdcoreTechnology or IntegrationAltus 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)coreOthersActive-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 AssociationminorOthersActive-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

Direct 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

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Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Active-PCB