Pickering Electronics celebrates 50 years of reed relays

Clacton-on-Sea, UK. Pickering Electronics announced it is celebrating 50 years of manufacturing reed relays. Founded in 1968 by the late John Moore, the business saw sales in 2017 up by 30% over the previous year.

“Fifty years of designing, manufacturing, and distributing reed relays means that we have a

very good understanding of the product we are selling and consider ourselves to be the leaders in reed-relay technology,” said Graham Dale, technical director at Pickering Electronics. “Since 1968, we have gradually evolved our reed relays from very large, relatively crude parts to the small, ultrareliable parts we have today. Production methods and quality systems have improved a great deal over that time, and costs have been radically reduced.”

He added, “When I started designing reed relays in the late 1970 some were saying that these electromechanical devices would have a limited lifetime. Instead, the market for high-quality reed relays has increased into areas that were inconceivable in those days.”

In 1983, Pickering established SoftCenter technology, as well as the former-less coil construction, which set the company apart from other reed relay manufacturers. SoftCenter protects the sensitive glass/metal seal of the reed switch capsule, thereby increasing contact resistance stability and improving the life expectation of the relay. Former-less coil construction maximizes magnetic drive and increases packing density.

Pickering has now become known for designing reed relays for high-density applications. Just last year at Semicon West the company released the world’s smallest footprint reed relay—the 4-mm² Series 120, switching up to 1 A while stacking on a 4-mm x 4-mm pitch.

The Pickering Group now comprises two privately owned companies that are leading suppliers of high reliability switching solutions: Pickering Electronics, the leaders in reed relay design and manufacture, and its sister company; Pickering Interfaces, which since 1988 has been designing and manufacturing modular signal switching and simulation systems. The Pickering Group now employs more than 380 people worldwide, with manufacturing facilities in the Czech Republic, along with additional representation in countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australasia.

The company said its success is due to its unique ability to design high quality products, a strong vision from its founder, the speed in which they get innovative designs to market, a good relationship with their suppliers, and commitment from their much-valued staff.

To celebrate 50 years in business Pickering Electronics has various celebrations planned, including a party for staff, as well as publishing a book about the company’s first 50 years. The book features various milestones in Pickering Electronics’ history, along with stories, quotes and personal photographs from the founder, directors, and employees. The book will be available to download from the Pickering Electronics’ website from the beginning of February.

See also these two articles by Graham Dale: