Flex-Ability was founded in 1987 with 3 employees, and now has over 50 people. MD Dane Mills has been with the company from the start and has seen the ups and downs in the industry that have resulted in Flex-Ability being established as one of the leading flex and flex rigid board manufacturers in the UK.
'During the life of the company we have seen many changes in the industry and our market. In order to survive and prosper we have had to be constantly alert to these changes and be able re-invent ourselves as the market dictates. We believe that we have become adept at identifying those changing needs and then filling them'
Flex-Ability predominantly serves the defence, medical, telecoms, IT and instrumentation industries.
Flex-Able to react to changing markets and technologies.
Flex-Able to react to fast turn requirements.
Flex-Able to satisfy our customers from design, layout, board manufacture and assembly.
Flex-Ability are delighted to announce the appointment of Pat Mannion as our new Sales Manager. Pat has extensive knowledge and experience of the PCB market and took up the post in Jan 08. He strengthens our existing Sales team and will predominantly cover the North of England,Wales and Scotland.He will also be helping to further develop our export market which currently accounts for some 22% of sales. Harold Hickling will continue to cover Southern England and the Midlands. 'I am very pleased to join Flex-Ability at this exciting time.We are entering a period of growth as a result of our improved capability,together with our consistently good delivery performance.These factors are helping us to gain a market share in a fairly static market and I look forward to helping shape the company's future'. 'The challenge of being able to offer Design,Manufacture and Assembly gives Flex-Ability a vast portfolio of services to sell to the market'.
Flex-Ability have installed a new SMT assembly line using a Philips CSM 84v automated component placemement machine to go alongside our Quag reflow oven. This equipment will complement our established hand assembly operation (ANSI/CECC 'J'standard qualified).This investment forms part of Flex-Ability's commitment to being able to provide a 'total' solution for our customers.
Flex-Ability is pleased to announce the commissioning of three further pieces of new equipment as part of our ongoing investment program. Our new Burkle LAMV 125 computer controlled multi-layer bonding press has 6 daylights with hot oil heated platens and lamination under full vacuum. Heating and cooling by hot oil fluid gives uniform heat-flow, and eliminates hot spots typical with traditional electrically heated ovens which lock-in stresses and cause warped pcbs. Vacuum lamination eliminates the possibility of air entrapment, a common cause of failure with atmospheric ovens. We have also added a second fully automated Lenz DLG 615-1+1 drilling machine, featuring auto load/unload and depth control: together with a new Lenz RLC two spindle router with x & y axis linear drives and three axis, high accuracy linear ball guides. These acquisitions will help us cut lead times, increase capability and boost quality; in support of our continued LEAN manufacturing and SIX Sigma program to provide excellent customer service through improved processes and the elimination of waste and defects.
Flex-Ability one of the leading manufactures of flexible circuits in the UK can now meet the universal acceptance criteria of IPC 610 Class 3 ANSI-J for the "in house " component assembly and inspection of flexible and flexible rigid circuits. This standard is widely recognised within the military and aerospace markets for the supply of complete and sub assemblies and will support the national,international and customer circuit approvals that Flex-Ability currently holds. Flex-Ability's revamped component assembly facility now forms a major proportion of the companies business offering our customers a complete turn-key solutions. Flex-Ability Limited,established in Hartlepool,Cleveland,UK since 1987 has been manufacturing flexible circuits since its formation and has been populating this type of printed circuit since 1990.