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February has been a truly exceptional month for Datalink Electronics, marked by significant industry recognition and a strong start to the year.

We are incredibly proud to announce that we have received two prestigious awards: Digital Transformation Award at the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards and Small Business of the Year.
Winning the Digital Transformation Award recognises the strategic investments we have made in systems, processes, and technology to enhance both our internal operations and the service we deliver to customers.

Digital transformation at Datalink is not about following trends – it is about creating meaningful, measurable improvements. From smarter ERP integration and data visibility to process automation and customer communication enhancements, we have focused on building a business that is agile, efficient, and future-ready.

Equally significant is being named Small Business of the Year. This award reflects not just growth, but sustainable, well-managed growth. It recognises the strength of our leadership, the resilience of our business model, and the commitment of our team to delivering excellence every day. As an independent business operating in a competitive and fast-moving sector, this recognition reinforces that our strategy, culture, and customer-first mindset are driving real impact.

These achievements belong to our entire team. From engineering and operations to sales, procurement, and customer support, every department plays a role in ensuring we deliver high-quality connectivity and electronic solutions to our customers across multiple industries.

The awards also reflect the trust our customers place in us. Long-term partnerships, collaborative problem-solving, and a shared commitment to performance are central to our continued success.

While February has given us a moment to celebrate, our focus remains firmly on the future. We continue to invest in technology, strengthen our operational capabilities, and explore new opportunities for growth.
Two awards in one month is an achievement we are immensely proud of – but for Datalink Electronics, it is also motivation to keep raising the bar.

2026 is off to an exciting start.

At Datalink Electronics, we believe that every new team member adds not just skills, but also the insight and expertise that help us deliver exceptional results for our customers. This February, we’re excited to welcome Andy Cropley as our new Production Engineer, a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in electronics manufacturing and new product introduction (NPI).

Andy joins Datalink with a breadth of experience across multiple manufacturing environments, supporting products from early prototypes through to low-to-medium volume production. His expertise spans surface-mount (SMT) and plated-through-hole (PTH) assembly, as well as the implementation of digital manufacturing systems to enhance control, traceability, and consistency.
Driving Quality and Efficiency

In his new role, Andy focuses on ensuring that both new and existing products transition smoothly through manufacturing. By creating clear documentation, establishing well-defined workflows, and emphasising quality at every stage, he helps guarantee that products are built right the first time, every time.
What sets Andy apart is his ability to combine hands-on production knowledge with a strategic approach to process optimisation. He is passionate about continuous improvement, identifying practical enhancements that reduce risk, increase efficiency, and ensure reliable delivery – all while maintaining the high standards expected in demanding and regulated environments.

A Collaborative Approach
For Andy, joining Datalink Electronics is about more than applying his technical skills – it’s about working within a collaborative, forward-thinking team. He values open communication and cross-functional working, believing that the strongest processes are built through shared knowledge and collective problem-solving.
Although new to the team, Andy has already made a positive impact, and his depth of experience and process-driven mindset further strengthen Datalink’s ability to support our customers with confidence. With Andy on board, clients can be reassured that their products are managed by skilled engineers who understand both the detail and the bigger picture.

We’re excited to see the continued impact Andy will have as Datalink Electronics continues to deliver high-quality, reliable solutions to our customers around the world.

On June 6, 2026, Datalink Electronics’ Business Development Director, Aran Sharma, will take on one of the UK’s most demanding endurance challenges: the Cateran Yomp.

While the Yomp is widely recognised as a formidable test of physical and mental resilience across the Scottish Highlands, Aran’s reason for taking part goes far beyond endurance or personal achievement. This walk is about honouring a promise, remembering someone important, and showing up when it matters most.

In September 2025, Aran and his cousin Bally completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks together. It was a shared challenge – demanding, exhausting, and deeply rewarding. Less than three weeks later, Bally passed away suddenly.

After that walk, the two had quietly agreed that the Cateran Yomp would be next. There were no entry forms, no timelines, and no formal plans – just a clear understanding between them that they would take it on together.

One moment from that time has stayed with Aran. Bally told him that he knew he could always count on him – that he would never let him down. That trust, given freely and sincerely, carried real weight. Completing the Yomp now is Aran’s way of honouring that trust and carrying on the commitment.

“This isn’t about pushing limits for the sake of it,” Aran says. “It’s about keeping a promise, remembering someone who mattered deeply to me, and doing something meaningful even when the original plan can’t be followed.”

Aran will be completing the Cateran Yomp in Bally’s memory while raising funds for the Army Benevolent Fund, a charity that provides lifelong support to soldiers, veterans, and their families. Supporting an organisation built around long-term commitment and care felt like a fitting way to mark the journey.

At Datalink Electronics, values such as trust, reliability, and accountability underpin everything we do – whether supporting customers in highly regulated sectors or building long-term partnerships. Aran’s challenge reflects those same principles in a very personal way: following through on commitments, standing by promises, and doing the right thing even when it’s difficult.

If you would like to follow Aran’s journey or support the cause, you can do so here.

January has set a confident and purposeful tone for 2026 at Datalink Electronics, with a renewed focus on innovation, collaboration, and leadership across the communities and sectors we serve.

A key highlight this month has been our support for the 2026 TBAT Innovation Challenge. As a Workshop Sponsor, Datalink is proud to be involved in a programme that provides SMEs with practical tools, expert guidance, and the confidence to develop ideas into viable, scalable businesses. The challenge aligns closely with our own values – encouraging innovation not just as a technical process, but as a mindset rooted in problem-solving, resilience, and collaboration.

At Datalink, we regularly work with customers at the earliest stages of product development, particularly in highly regulated and performance-critical sectors such as aerospace, defence, medical, and industrial electronics. Supporting the TBAT Innovation Challenge reflects our belief that strong foundations – in thinking, planning, and execution – are essential for long-term success, whether in electronics manufacturing or business growth more broadly.

January has also highlighted the importance of leadership and representation within our industry. We are delighted that Mariam Smith, Managing Director of Datalink Electronics, will be speaking at the Enterprising Women International Women’s Day Conference 2026. Taking place on 5 March, the conference brings together business leaders from across sectors to explore the theme “Give to Gain” – a concept that resonates strongly with our approach to leadership, mentoring, and partnership.

Mariam’s participation reflects Datalink’s ongoing commitment to sharing knowledge, supporting others on their business journeys, and championing inclusive leadership. Creating space for diverse voices and experiences strengthens not only individual organisations, but the wider engineering and manufacturing ecosystem.

As we move into February, we continue to build momentum across quality initiatives, customer projects, and external engagement. January has been a reminder that progress is not just measured in output, but in the relationships we build, the ideas we support, and the leadership we show.

We look forward to the months ahead and to continuing our work with customers, partners, and the wider business community throughout 2026.

The TBAT Innovation Challenge (IC26) is a nationally recognised, nine-month initiative designed to help UK SMEs develop, validate and scale innovative ideas. Through a combination of expert-led workshops and a competitive pitch process, the programme provides practical guidance, commercial insight and access to an extensive partner network.

As a Workshop Sponsor, Datalink Electronics is supporting innovators at a critical stage of their journey – helping businesses strengthen their foundations, understand market realities and prepare for sustainable growth. With decades of experience supporting complex engineering and technology-led organisations, Datalink understands the challenges innovators face when moving from concept to commercial delivery.

IC26 includes five free-to-attend online workshops, delivered between March and June, covering key stages of the innovation lifecycle. Participants can also enter the competition element of the programme, culminating in a live Finalist Showcase in October.

The 2026 programme offers a total prize package valued at over £155,000, including a £50,000 grand prize, runner-up awards and tailored business support from TBAT’s extensive partner network.

Innovators can choose to attend the workshops, enter the competition, or take part in both. Many participants use the programme to refine their ideas, strengthen their business case and build confidence ahead of future investment or commercialisation.

Datalink Electronics is delighted to support IC26 and the innovators working to shape the future of UK industry.

To find out more about the TBAT Innovation Challenge and how to take part, visit:

Datalink Electronics is proud to announce that our Owner and Managing Director, Mariam Smith MBA, will be speaking at the Enterprising Women (East Midlands Chamber) International Women’s Day Conference 2026, taking place on 5 March 2026 at Vaillant Live, Derby.

The conference theme for 2026, “Give to Gain,” reflects a powerful and timely message: when leaders share knowledge, support others, and invest in their communities, everyone benefits. It is a principle that resonates strongly with Mariam’s leadership philosophy and with Datalink’s wider approach to business.

As a speaker, Mariam will join a line-up of influential voices from across the region and beyond, including BBC’s The Apprentice winner Sian Gabbidon, and fellow entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders who are shaping the future of enterprise in the East Midlands. The event will also celebrate the launch of the 2026 Enterprising Women Awards, which recognise outstanding achievement and contributions by women in business.

Mariam’s journey reflects the values at the heart of Enterprising Women. As the leader of Datalink Electronics, she has overseen the continued growth of a UK-based electronics design and manufacturing business serving highly regulated sectors including aerospace, defence, medical, industrial, and scientific instrumentation. Her focus on quality, long-term partnerships, and sustainable growth has helped position Datalink as a trusted supplier and employer within the region.

Beyond commercial success, Mariam is a strong advocate for inclusive leadership, mentoring, and creating opportunities for others. Her contribution to the conference will draw on real-world experience: building resilient teams, navigating complex supply chains, and leading with integrity in industries where trust and accountability matter.
At Datalink Electronics, we believe that strong businesses are built not only on technical excellence but also on people, values, and shared responsibility. Mariam’s participation in the Enterprising Women International Women’s Day Conference reflects that belief, and our ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives that champion collaboration, leadership, and positive change.

The event will be held on 5 March 2026, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm at Vaillant Live, Derby, with support from headline partner Barclays, associate partner Knights, and venue partner Vaillant Live.

We are delighted to support this important event and look forward to the conversations, connections, and inspiration it will bring.

2025 has been a landmark year for Datalink Electronics – one defined by strategic investment, market recognition, and operational excellence. We began the year with strong momentum, laying foundations that would support the company’s growth throughout the months ahead. January set the tone as teams focused on consolidating new initiatives and driving forward ambitious goals for innovation and customer service, reflecting our commitment to delivering cutting-edge electronics design and manufacturing solutions across critical sectors.

In March, we reflected on significant transformation and progress, celebrating both internal milestones and the contribution our people have made to expanding our capabilities and responsiveness to client needs.
The spring also saw us take bold steps in shaping our identity and strategic direction. A refreshed brand identity was unveiled, symbolising a more dynamic, forward-looking Datalink – one equipped to meet evolving customer expectations in sectors from medical and life sciences to industrial automation and defence.

By May and into the summer, our teams were actively building on that momentum, with continuous improvements across operations and preparations for upcoming expansions.
One of the standout achievements came in August, when we celebrated achieving AS9100 certification, a testament to our commitment to quality, process excellence and industry leadership.

As autumn approached, investment in innovation continued to pay dividends. In November, we shared updates on digital process enhancements supported by Made Smarter grant funding, enabling us to advance automation and refine our manufacturing workflows, which enhances speed, traceability and efficiency for our customers.
October was also notable for industry recognition, with Datalink shortlisted for multiple regional awards that acknowledge excellence in engineering and manufacturing – a reflection of our team’s hard work and reinforced reputation in the sector.

Across the year, these accomplishments have been underpinned by a clear strategic vision: investing in people, embracing technology, and continuously enhancing our ability to deliver outstanding contract electronics manufacturing services tailored to complex, high-reliability applications.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we move into 2026, Datalink Electronics will continue advancing its mission to be a trusted partner for clients at the forefront of innovation. With plans to expand our digital capabilities, deepen sector-specific expertise, and foster new collaborations, we’re poised for another year of progress. A highlight on the horizon is the launch of our brand-new website, designed to better showcase our services, insights and thought leadership – watch this space for its unveiling soon.

As we approach the festive season, we would like to inform our customers, suppliers, and partners of our Christmas shutdown period. Datalink Electronics will be closed from Tuesday 24th December 2025 and will reopen on Monday, 5th January 2026.

During this time, our offices, production facilities and support channels will be unavailable. Normal business operations will resume from 5th January.

If you have any urgent project requirements ahead of the break, please get in touch with your usual Datalink representative as early as possible so we can ensure everything is completed in good time.

Thank you for your continued support throughout 2025. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Showcasing our Made Smarter grant success – and welcoming new talent

November has been a standout month at Datalink Electronics as we proudly welcomed representatives from Made Smarter East Midlands and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) back into our facility. Earlier this year, Datalink was awarded match-funded grant support through the Made Smarter programme, enabling us to invest in digital process improvements designed to boost efficiency, enhance precision, and strengthen future scalability.

The visit focused on reviewing the impact of our grant-funded investment and showcasing how we’ve applied the funding to real operational improvements. Our team demonstrated the transition from traditional paper-based route cards to a fully digital platform with integrated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This new system is already delivering measurable benefits, including improved process consistency, enhanced traceability, and clearer visibility across manufacturing and assembly.

This transformation forms part of a wider digital roadmap developed with Made Smarter guidance. Their support has been instrumental in accelerating our adoption of smarter manufacturing technologies and ensuring we are well positioned to deliver high-quality products with agility. Alongside our technology upgrades, our teams continue to embrace new digital skills and upskilling opportunities to ensure these tools deliver maximum value.

Welcoming Andy Cropley – Strengthening our Digital Journey

This month also marks the arrival of Andy Cropley, who joins Datalink as a Production Engineer – and he is already playing an active role in advancing our digital transformation.

Andy brings 23+ years of electronics manufacturing experience, with deep expertise in SMT, PTH, digital manufacturing systems, and NPI delivery. His background includes:

• Rolling out and standardising MES platforms such as Aegis FactoryLogix
• Leading process automation, including RFQ automation, documentation optimisation, and Excel/VBA-driven improvements
• Managing end-to-end NPIs and improving build documentation, traceability, and process flow from prototype to medium-volume manufacture
• Strong experience with Mycronic SMT lines, AOI programming, oven profiling, and quality systems including NCR processes and reporting tools

With his proven track record in MES/ERP integration, digital process optimisation, and continuous improvement, Andy is already contributing insight and hands-on expertise to our ongoing shift toward fully integrated, data-driven manufacturing.

His background in implementing digital work instructions, streamlining build packs, and reducing program creation time adds valuable momentum to our current Made Smarter initiatives and the next stage of our digital roadmap.

We are delighted to welcome Andy to the team and look forward to the impact his experience will bring as we continue expanding our digital capabilities.

Looking Ahead

As we look toward 2026, this year’s achievements provide a solid foundation for further advancements, including deeper data integration, smarter routing, increased automation, and continued process optimisation.

We’re proud of how far we’ve come – and excited about where we’re heading.

As October draws to a close, we’re celebrating another month of innovation, recognition, and connection at Datalink Electronics. From process excellence and award nominations to new partnerships and a successful presence at the Advanced Engineering Show, it’s been a standout month for our team.

Connecting at the Advanced Engineering Show

We were delighted to exhibit at the Advanced Engineering Show, held at the NEC Birmingham on 29–30 October 2025. It was fantastic to connect with industry peers, clients, and future collaborators across aerospace, defence, medical, and scientific sectors. The conversations we had reaffirmed the strength of British engineering – and the vital role that precision electronics continues to play in powering next-generation innovation.  

A big thank-you to everyone who visited our stand, shared ideas, and explored how we can work together. The show was an excellent reminder of why we do what we do: solving complex engineering challenges through collaboration and creativity.

Continuing Our AS9100 Journey

Our partnership with Apex Solutions continues to help us align our processes with AS9100 standards. Their practical, hands-on approach has strengthened how we apply quality principles in daily operations – enhancing consistency, efficiency, and confidence across all our design, development, and production activities.

Engineering Excellence and Digital Transformation

Our engineering and production teams have continued to deliver complex, high-precision solutions across multiple sectors. We’re also investing in digital transformation, introducing smarter systems that improve traceability, communication, and project visibility – from concept to completion.

Award Nominations and Recognition

We’re proud to announce that Datalink Electronics has been nominated for three local industry awards, recognising excellence in engineering, innovation, and customer service. The winners will be revealed at the awards event in February 2026, and we couldn’t be prouder of the team behind this achievement. Here’s hoping for a big win!

Stay Connected – Datalink Newsletter

This month also saw the release of the second edition of the Datalink Newsletter, featuring exclusive insights into our projects, people, and progress.  

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe  to receive future editions directly to your inbox.

Looking Ahead

As we move into November, we remain focused on innovation, sustainability, and collaboration – driving the standards of precision engineering ever higher.  

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has supported us this month, from partners and customers to the many people we met at the NEC. Together, we’re building the future of intelligent electronics manufacturing.

*Stay tuned for more updates – and wish us luck at the awards in February!*