Celebrating Success at the Leicestershire Business Awards 2023

Datalink Electronics is thrilled to be named a finalist at the prestigious Leicestershire Business Awards 2023 in the category of “Outstanding Business Growth.” This recognition acknowledges our relentless commitment to innovation, quality, and driving business expansion in the ever-evolving field of electronic product design and manufacturing.

Datalink Electronics specialises in designing and manufacturing electronic products, offering a comprehensive service ranging from feasibility studies, design, development, and prototyping to certification support and full-scale production. With ISO9001 and ISO13485 certifications, we pride ourselves on our adaptability and excellence in crafting bespoke solutions that cater to a diverse range of industries. Our remarkable journey has seen us collaborate with leading-edge companies, universities, and startups to transform cutting-edge technology and research into commercial products.

Over the next three years, our primary objective is to achieve a remarkable 40% growth in turnover. This ambitious goal will be realised through the strategic expansion into new market sectors, with a particular focus on the Aerospace and Defence industry and the environmental sector. These markets share similarities with the medical industry in terms of product complexity and the need for design expertise. Datalink Electronics stands out by offering both design and production services, a significant unique selling point (USP) that differentiates us from competitors. The resilience of these markets to economic downturns, especially in the current climate, positions us for success.

Our recent investment of £750,000 in a state-of-the-art assembly line is a testament to our commitment to providing unmatched services. This cutting-edge assembly line brings tremendous flexibility, supporting the latest electronic components and enabling rapid job changeovers. Its capabilities, including placing up to 21,000 components per hour, a full stock management system, and advanced automated testing and inspection processes, ensure that we deliver higher quality products with shorter lead times and competitive pricing.

The introduction of an automated solder paste printer, a flexible dual-turret pick and place system, an 8-zone reflow oven with additional cooling zones, and a fully automated 3D Optical Inspection system has revolutionised our production process. By linking these machines via a conveyor system and magazine buffers, we have enhanced efficiency and quality throughout the assembly stages.

The new assembly line not only accelerates the production process but also improves batch traceability, a critical requirement for many healthcare products, and ensures manufacturing issues are detected and resolved early. This leads to increased yield and product quality, ultimately allowing us to offer cost-savings to our customers.

Datalink Electronics has surmounted several significant challenges during this growth phase. The need to diversify our production line and capacity while maintaining top-notch product quality was a paramount challenge. Rapidly increasing production to meet customer demand in shorter lead times required swift recruitment. The tight job market in the East Midlands posed its own set of challenges in finding the right calibre of staff.

We were also tasked with the responsibility of training these employees and achieving ISO13485 certification standards. The transition to the new assembly line, though highly beneficial, presented its own set of challenges. Remarkably, we managed to replace and install an entire production line without shutting down our shop floor, ensuring minimal disruption to our customers.

The creation of a new Engineering department, consisting of four engineers, has added a new dimension to our organisation. Their focus on optimising the manufacturing process and turning loss-making products into highly profitable ventures exemplifies our commitment to growth and profitability.

The road ahead is paved with opportunities and innovation. We are committed to diversifying into new markets, expanding our marketing activities, and investing in digital marketing and a new website. Our journey is defined by innovation, excellence, and a relentless pursuit of growth. The Leicestershire Business Awards 2023 is a platform for us to celebrate our accomplishments, and we eagerly await the results with the hope of clinching the “Outstanding Business Growth” award.

As we gear up for the Leicestershire Business Awards Gala, we look forward to celebrating the remarkable work of organisations in Leicestershire and connecting with industry leaders. Stay tuned for more updates on our journey to success.

Join us in celebrating our achievements and watch this space for more exciting news.