Thetford-based Vanilla Electronics announces completion of second acquisition
Dan Croft, Group Chief Executive Officer, Vanilla Electronics Ltd
Vanilla Electronics Ltd (“Vanilla”), with the support of Literacy Capital, has announced the completion of its second acquisition – a Wiltshire based electronics manufacturing services business, Interconics Ltd (“Interconics”).
The strategic acquisition sees Vanilla increase its scalability and capability in complex electronics manufacturing services, whilst providing a stronger foothold in higher volume Printed Circuit Board (“PCB”) assembly, to its global manufacturing customer base.
Founded in 1987, by Dave Weston, Interconics is now regarded as one of the market leaders in the medium to high volume, high complexity, manufacturing niche. Interconics has worked hard and invested significantly to establish an excellent reputation in the automated manufacture of cutting-edge PCB assemblies and the management team has ensured that the business remains close to its core values, based primarily on service and capability.
Vanilla, formed in 2002, provides supply chain services to global technology manufacturers, consolidating their typically complex supply chains, leading to operational and financial benefits and longevity in the relationships. Shipping over a million parts per day from their 25,000 square foot automated warehouse, Vanilla offers a fully outsourced service. From design, material procurement, kitting, and manufacturing, through to end-customer order fulfillment, product returns, warranty, repair, and re-supply.
In March 2021, Vanilla completed the acquisition of Bela Electronic Designs, a leading provider of PCB design and low to medium volume manufacturing services, serving as the Group’s new product introduction facility in Bedford, UK.
Dan Croft, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Interconics’ technical and highly proficient automated manufacturing services provide group customers the ability to quickly scale their higher volume products, retaining manufacture within the UK. The acquisition perfectly complements Vanilla’s fast-growing group, which now covers the end-to-end spectrum from new product introduction, supply chain management, and volume manufacturing.”
Dave Weston, MD at Interconics, will take up a new role as Group Chief Technical Officer, using his vast experience to add valuable input to both existing Interconics customers and new Group customers. Weston added: “This new collaboration with the Vanilla Group is a great opportunity to provide a new level of growth, where those existing partnerships will continue to flourish, and Interconics will continue to pave the way in electronics manufacturing. I am thoroughly looking forward to my new Group role, where I will continue with equal pace and enthusiasm, but with additional investment and scale.”
The Vanilla Group continues to look at other acquisitions that add technical, regional, and commercial value to the newly enlarged business and its customers.
