DSL have been designing and building embedded computing solutions since 1985 - with the welcome news that they have also now decided to move into manufacturing equipment.

For 33 years, DSL have been expert electronic designers, including printed circuit boards (PCBs), as well as a consultancy helping others develop hardware.

DSL have been working with original equipment manufactures (OEMs) who lacked sufficient internal electronic design resources, expertise - or both – develop the brain of their industrial hardware.

The time has now arrived for DSL to expand into manufacturing technical equipment at their high-tech Letchworth headquarters.

DSL Managing director Rory Dear told Nub News: "We're so excited to launch the next phase of the natural progression of DSL to become a true cradle-to-grave one stop shop for electronic product development and now, manufacturing.

"By undertaking both the design and manufacturing in the same building at our Letchworth offices, we offer a unique service where engineers who design PCBAs every day are on-hand to ensure optimum and trouble-free manufacturing."

Rory continued: "I've been with DSL for two full decades, twenty years of working with such clients day in, day out, combining their niche core competency with our electronic design prowess to develop cutting edge products to drive their respective industry forwards. 

"Once we'd finished the design cycle, DSL more often than not, went on to manage the manufacture that electronic solution."

Enough was enough

However, as Rory explained: "Deep down we've always known something was missing from our offering - namely the capability of manufacturing those PCB assemblies ourselves in-house, but for 33 years it never quite seemed the right time."

Rory has been DSL managing director for five years, and says he understands the hesitancy to move into manufacturing, as businesses have jumped from national and international crisis to crisis.

Brexit, the pandemic and more recently, global supply chain problems particularly impacted DSL, with electronic component shortages being amongst the most affected.

Yet, the latest crisis has been the catalyst to trigger DSL into taking the bull by the horns, and address the long-standing omission of their cradle-to-grave capabilities.

Rory recalls: "Malpractices in the industry were rife, with large corporations buying up global stock of specific components and component brokers profiteering, selling penny parts for tens or even hundreds of pounds a piece.

"The electronic manufacturing industry lost control and accountability, and DSL were stuck in the middle.

"We found ourselves trying to justify huge increases in price from our outsourced manufacturing partners without receiving any justification ourselves to pass on.

"We also experienced manufacturing issues, many mistakes, but most unforgiveable mistakes - especially when the components on such boards are exponentially more expensive than 'usual' - again leaving DSL stuck in the middle, letting down valued clients through no fault of our own."

So, Rory says: "We decided enough was enough."

A new dawn

In the summer of 2023 DSL began plans to in-source PCB assembly.

Rory says: "Top of the list was where we would do this - in our existing building, or an entirely new site?

"We weighed up the pros and cons and decided the advantages were far greater managing both the design and manufacturing under the same roof."

Using a selection of carefully selected and audited contract electronic manufacturers (CEM) DSL outsourced the PCB assembly manufacture - while undertaking all the testing and assembly processes in-house.

In practice this meant delivering to their clients anywhere between a single PCB assembly, and a complete final product, in glossy packaging - event sometimes direct to their client's client.

DSL rigorously researched the equipment they would need and the manufacturers/models required, before opting for a fully automated assembly line - supported by a top-of-the-range 3D automated optical inspection machine.

DSL success

Fast forward to the current day and DSL has now launched their manufacturing capability, which, after all these years, not only gives them the ability to manufacture their own designs - but also to offer a contract electronic manufacturing service to build their client's existing designs, those designed in-house or by another design consultancy.

Rory says: "We're so excited to launch the next phase of the natural progression of DSL to become a true cradle-to-grave one stop shop for electronic product development and now, manufacturing.

"By undertaking both the design and manufacturing in the same building at our Letchworth Garden City offices, we offer a unique service where engineers who design PCBAs every day are on-hand to ensure optimum and trouble-free manufacturing"

"With so many companies on-shoring manufacturing back to Britain following decades of off-shore manufacturing, DSL is proud to show our 'Made in Britain' badge and enabling our clients to share the same prestigious British quality assurance as a result"

All of which means DSL are the UK's leading cradle-to-grave industrial computing and electronics solutions provider across all industries, from off-the-shelf products to fully bespoke product realisation.

They deliver or support every stage of their client's projects through design, prototyping, certification - and now - on-going manufacture in-house. Enabling their clients to focus on their core competency while DSL realise their products, exceeding expectations of functionality, reliability and longevity.

Perhaps the final word should go to DSL's former managing director and founder, Derek Carpenter.

 "It was really impressive to see the investment into technology which will only go to improve DSL's position within the marketplace," says Derek in admiration.

"Moreover what also came over to Rory of us was the continued team feel - an aspect I was keen to promote during my time."