Our Business - Devlin Electronics Limited

For over 30 years, the core business of Devlin Electronics has been the design and manufacture of custom keyboards and the supply of innovative electromechanical components.

The company operates in a wide range of markets and has been particularly successful supplying keyboards to retail banking, financial trading desk, newspaper, CCTV, industrial, health authority, mass-transit ticketing, public access kiosk, EPOS, in-vehicle computing and digital broadcasting. Through time, Devlin's flexibility and innovative keyboard solutions have seen significant growth in overseas markets, with a wide customer base across Europe, Australasia and the USA, as well as maintaining a strong domestic presence. Clients have included the likes of IBM, National Westminster, HBoS, Reuters, Siemens, NCR, Phillips and Wincor Nixdorf, Hewlett Packard and the UK Post Office.

Devlin's position as No.1 in the custom keyboard market has developed through a complete commitment to quality (currently accredited to IS0 9001-2000), and through utilising the latest engineering and production techniques. For example, Devlin's advanced in-house keytop moulding and marking facilities provide virtually no limitation on keytop shapes, keytop colours and legends, no matter how complex the requirement. Extensive use is made of the latest CAD systems for all aspects of design and development, including 3D modelling techniques, allowing rapid prototyping and short product development cycles.

2002 saw the birth of Devlin Components division, capitalising on its reputation for distributing one of the broadest range of electromechanical components. The division has secured a number of exclusive franchise agreements, notably Cherry keyswitches and E3 programmable LCD switches. It has also expanded into the marketing of a select range of PSU's and battery chargers.

In 2004, Devlin took over the European distribution of US company Datalux mobile computing products. This represented an opportunity for Devlin to explore new markets, supplying mobile trolley mounted PC's for healthcare applications, in-vehicle computer systems and a number of industrial monitors and compact PC's.

The Keyboard Care division was established and set up to support the repair and refurbishment of keyboards and other peripheral devices. This was enhanced in 2004 with the absortion of the Alphameric keyboard customers and estate.

Company milestones

1976
Devlin Electronics Ltd was set up by David Evans.

1981
Devlin joined Bowthorpe PLC (now Spirent) and, after operating wholly in the electronics sector became one of Europe's premier designer and manufacturer of custom keyboards.

1990
Devlin became the first UK keyboard manufacturer to be awarded B55750 quality accreditation.

1996
Another Bowthorpe company, Penny and Giles Computer Products, is merged into Devlin adding a high performance and quality trackball and joystick designer and manufacturer to the company.

1997
Devlin gains IS0-9001 accreditation.

1999
A state-of-the-art laser engraving machine, able to engrave a keyboard in single operation, is added to Devlin's in-house production facilities becoming the first custom keyboard company to make this investment.

2000
Managing Director Martin Baker was successful in leading an MBO of Devlin Electronics from Spirent.

2001
Devlin complete the acquisition of Phoenix Peripheral Solutions in Ireland, complementing the existing product portfolio for the retail banking sector.

Devlin completed the supply of over 44,000 keyboards to UK Post Office Counters, one of the largest custom keyboard orders ever placed in Europe.

2002
Penny and Giles Computer Products were sold to Esterline Inc. of the USA.

Devlin Components division is born, distributing a broad range of electromechanical components.

2003
Devlin are awarded ISO-9001-2000 accreditation.

2004
Devlin complete the acquisition of Alphameric PLC keyboard manufacturing division, which made available several new products and new switching technologies, re-enforcing Devlin's position as market leader.

Devlin gained the exclusive European distribution of Datalux mobile computing products. This move saw Devlin enter new market sectors, including the healthcare and mobile computing markets.

2005

Devlin Components (a division of Devlin Electronics) acquire the IP and rights to manufacture 10 EMS Power Supply products.