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Pickering Electronics - A Brief History


Pickering Electronics was formed in January 1968, with the aim to design and manufacture high quality reed relays, intended principally for use in Instrumentation and Test equipment. Today, Pickering's Single-in-Line (SIL) range is by far the most developed in the relay industry with relays 25% the size of many of their competitors. The small SIL relays are sold in high volumes to large ATE companies throughout the world. Pickering relays have many advantages over the more usual 'Hard Moulded' construction. They are constructed using SoftCenter ® technology which greatly reduces stress on the delicate glass reed switch capsule for maximum life and performance. Mu-metal magnetic screening allows high packing density without the risk of problems due to magnetic interaction between relays.

To celebrate our 50th Anniversary last year, Pickering Electronics published a book about the first 50 years of manufacturing quality Reed Relays. The book features various milestones in Pickering’s history, along with stories, quotes and personal photographs from our founder, directors and employees. To download your free copy Click here >>.

Pickering Electronics is an ISO 9001 certified company.

Registered office: Pickering, Stephenson Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 4NL. Registered in England no. 857509. VAT no. GB103 5366 04.

STATS & FACTS

1000+

PARTS WE SUPPLY

50+ YEARS

OF MANUFACTURING REED RELAYS

UK & CZ

THE COUNTRIES WE MANUFACTURE IN

MANUFACTURE HUNDREDS OF

CUSTOM MODEL RELAYS, RoHS & REACH COMPLIANT
REED RELAY SPECIALISTS
Historical Timeline

1968

Pickering Electronics was started by John Moore with the aim to design and manufacture high quality Reed Relays for use by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in switching systems.

1973

Becomes a major supplier to most UK Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) companies in a growing market.

1980

Moved to purpose built factory in Clacton-on-Sea, UK.

1983

Introduction of Single-in-Line (SIL) Reed Relays – the Series 105, including for the first time, changeover and two pole types.

Established SoftCenter® Technology to protect the sensitive glass/metal seal of the reed switch capsule thereby increasing contact resistance stability and life expectation.

Developed former-less coil construction to maximize magnetic drive and increase packing density.

1985

Introduced the first ever Mini-SIL Reed Relay with a patented Mu-metal screen/can – the Series 107 increased packing density and improved efficiency and reliability.

Due to large success the manufacturing area is tripled in size.

1988

Pickering Interfaces, Ltd. formed as a sister company designing and manufacturing modular GPIB switching systems. Pickering Interfaces would later become leaders in switching systems based on many other platforms, including PXI, PCI, and LXI.

1989

Introduced the first ever SIL Reed Relay for high voltage applications – the Series 104.

1991

Introduced the first ever Vertical-SIL Reed Relay for high density applications – the Series 110.

1992

Introduced the first ever Micro-SIL Reed Relay for high density applications – the Series 109 requires little more than half the board area of any other SIL Reed Relay on the market at the time, setting a new standard within the industry.

1994

Became ISO 9002 (BS 5750) certified.

2001

Appointed a representative in Scandinavia - Pickering Interfaces A.B.

2006

Appointed a representative in China - Tomtech Mechantronics Co. Ltd.

Committed to RoHS compliance.

2007

Opened a manufacturing facility in the Czech Republic.

2008

Appointed a representative in South Korea – Leitik Co. Inc.

Appointed a representative in Taiwan – Winningway Material Development Ltd.

2011

Published ‘The Reed RelayMate’ – A practical book about how reed relays work, how they are constructed and how to interpret their specifications and make best use of them in their applications.

2015

Appointed a representative in India – Vigven Tech Mark Pvt Ltd.

2017

Introduced the smallest footprint reed relay for high density applications - the Series 120 4mm² ™

2017

Appointed Rapid Electronics to become Pickering's first official distributor in the UK.

2018

Became a manufacturing member of the Electronics Representatives Association (ERA).

2018

Published 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 their founder, directors and employees.

2018

Introduced the industry's smallest through-hole reed relay - the Series 124 4mm² ™

PRESENT
WATCH

Pickering - The Reed Relay Specialists

Pickering Electronics are proud to bring to you the latest in Reed Relay technology and innovation. Please watch our showreel of Reed Relay products.

Pickering Reed Relays SMT Mu Metal

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Pickering are maintaining operations throughout this difficult period. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and employees is of the highest priority. See our full statement here