28 Jun, 2011 / BY John Mayes

The Paragon Electronics Group celebrates its 20th anniversary

Leading EMS and supply chain management specialist Paragon is currently reflecting on two decades in the electronics industry as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. The group now consists of five integrated specialist companies and is forecasting significant growth in 2011.

The first Paragon company was Paragon Electronic Components Plc, a supply chain management specialist established in 1991 by co-founders Chris Johnson and John Mayes. From the outset, with the stated intent of establishing a robust, financially secure and scalable business, the company put in place the foundations in terms of the people, systems and procedures that have enabled it to grow into today’s successful group. Those early years saw Paragon establish its reputation as an industry leader in the area of electronics supply chain management services (then commonly referred to as component kitting) and in recognition of its growth during this time, the company appeared in the 1997 Sunday Times’ Virgin Atlantic FastTrack 100. During the next decade, the supply chain management and kitting business continued to grow. Specialist companies were launched to focus on independent component distribution, electronics manufacturing and test services. These were eventually united with the creation of The Paragon Electronics Ltd Group.

In order to extend its electronics manufacturing services (EMS) capabilities, in 2007 the group acquired the JJS Electronics businesses in the UK and the Czech Republic and four years on, the group has established itself as a leading EMS and supply chain management specialist Europe-wide.

The group’s recent growth is attributed in no small part to the launch of its World Class program, an initiative which has seen Paragon channel significant investment into its facilities, systems and people. Recent highlights include a company-wide training initiative in quality tools, further enhancements to its powerful bespoke information management systems and the achievement of BS EN AS9100 registration which acknowledged the group’s commitment to quality standards at each of its facilities, two in the UK and one in the Czech Republic.

Reflecting on the organisation’s 20-year history, Paragons’ Group Managing Director, John Mayes, explains: “It certainly doesn’t feel like 20 years. In fact, from our very early days when we were establishing the foundations of the business, the years spent creating our market-leading kitting and supply chain management company, establishing our Electronics Manufacturing Management business, the acquisition of JJS Electronics, entering the European marketplace and our resulting emergence as a world class EMS provider, has passed by in a flash! We’re delighted with the continuing growth and success which we feel is at least partly due to our unique breadth of services. “

John continues: “These days we provide our customers with a fully procured, end-to-end service, producing pcb assemblies and integrating these into complex electro-mechanical products, including some that may be seen as ‘machines’ rather than ‘products’. We also offer a complete configure-to-order and direct ship fulfilment service from our facilities in the UK and The Czech Republic. Indeed when a Central European presence is desired combined with a full electronics, electrical, mechanical assembly and distribution service, we feel we have a uniquely powerful offering.”

The Paragon Electronics Group is now able to seamlessly deliver a comprehensive supply chain management and EMS service. John concludes: “To have a leading specialist supply chain management company, separate PCB assembly and electro-mechanical centres of excellence in both the UK and Central Europe, plus a specialist test business, all operating seamlessly together via a single customer interface -through either the UK or Czech Republic, we really do deliver the best of all worlds. We look forward to continuing to develop our group capabilities and achieving even more success for Paragon, its customers and staff over the next 20 years.”
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