In recent years, UK manufacturing has experienced a resurgence. Rising demand for locally produced goods, shorter supply chains and a heightened focus on sustainability have encouraged many organisations to source products from domestic suppliers wherever possible.
For procurement teams operating in sectors such as R&D, electronics, industrial manufacturing and education, UK-produced ranges not only offer excellent quality and traceability – they also support local innovation and jobs.
At Rapid, we’ve always been committed to working closely with British manufacturers and making their products accessible to our customers. Below is a look at some of the key suppliers in our portfolio who continue to manufacture and assemble their products here in the UK.
Why source UK-manufactured products?
UK-made products often carry clear benefits where quality and compliance are concerned. Production takes place under strict controls and in line with British and international standards, which ensures excellent consistency and reliability. In addition, shorter and more transparent supply chains support improved traceability and reduced lead times – an important factor where strategic stockholding or planned projects are involved.
Local manufacturing also enables faster product development and innovation – something several of our partners reference as a key part of their success. And by sourcing UK-manufactured products, organisations can make a positive contribution to the wider economy and support skilled employment in the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sectors.
Supplier spotlights - UK-manufactured and assembled product ranges
Raspberry Pi provides reliable, cost-effective computing solutions that are designed for use in professional and industrial environments. Their boards seamlessly bridge rapid prototyping and full-scale deployment, enabling engineers and OEMs to develop robust products quickly and efficiently. With a strong ecosystem of hardware and support, Raspberry Pi has become a trusted platform in embedded and industrial applications.
Raspberry Pi is one of the UK’s most recognised innovation success stories, and the vast majority of its products are still manufactured here in Britain. All Raspberry Pi boards stocked by Rapid, including the full Compute Module family, are made at the Sony Technology Centre in Pencoed, South Wales. The only exception is the standard Pico 2, which is manufactured in Japan. All Raspberry Pi camera modules are produced in the UK, and even their enclosures are made in England.
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Brainboxes, established in 1984, is a leading UK designer and manufacturer of data and I/O connectivity products. Operating from their headquarters in Liverpool, the company specialises in industrial networking solutions and produces all of its products in the UK.
With a strong focus on quality and reliability, Brainboxes provides tailored solutions and custom designs to meet specific application requirements.
WAGO offers customised assembly services in the UK, allowing customers to receive pre-built configurations that reduce inventory and assembly burden. Though the manufacturing base is global, these UK assembly capabilities streamline supply and deliver ready-to-install solutions.
R-TECH soldering products are proudly manufactured in the UK, delivering consistent performance across industrial, OEM, and repair applications. The range includes soldering wires in multiple gauges and compounds, with a choice of fluxes to match different processes. R-TECH offers a cost-effective, dependable alternative without compromising on quality.
Pico Technology has designed and manufactured precision test and measurement products in the UK for over 35 years. With the exception of the 9000-series oscilloscopes (manufactured in Lithuania) and certain oscilloscope probes (sourced globally to maintain value), the core product range is entirely designed and manufactured in Britain.
By keeping production local, Pico is able to maintain tight quality control and continually evolve its products to meet the changing needs of engineers and educators.
Aim-TTi is another supplier which remains firmly committed to British production. All of their power supplies and electronic test instruments are 100% UK designed and manufactured, with no external contract manufacturing.
High availability and product consistency make Aim-TTi a trusted choice for laboratories, universities and R&D environments across the country.
APEM manufactures a range of industrial interface products at their factory in Winchester. Key UK-manufactured lines include Q-Series LED panel mount indicators, 3000-Series fingertip proportional industrial joysticks and custom membrane keypads.
These products are installed in demanding environments such as industrial control systems, military vehicles and off-road machinery – making local production and quality assurance an essential part of their value proposition.
Doncaster Cables is the largest British-owned manufacturer of general wiring and flexible cords and has been operating from a single UK manufacturing site since 1984. With full control over every stage of production, Doncaster is able to deliver consistent quality and traceability in line with British, European and International standards.
Rapid has built a long-standing partnership with Doncaster Cables, allowing us to provide customers with industry-approved cabling for industrial installations, OEM builds and more.
Vigortronix designs and manufactures a wide range of power supplies and transformers, with most products proudly manufactured in the UK. Their local production ensures excellent quality control and fast lead times.
Final thoughts
UK manufacturing and assembly remain an essential part of the wider engineering and technology landscape. By sourcing UK-made products, our customers benefit from proven quality, reliable compliance and shorter supply chains – while supporting British innovation and employment.
At Rapid, we’re proud to work with a wide selection of suppliers that continue to invest in UK design and production. If you’d like further information on any of the brands featured, or need help sourcing UK-manufactured products, our technical sales team will be happy to assist.
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