Company History

The Company was formed in November 1979 by Ray Hesketh (Chairman) and Betty Hesketh (Director) to provide a professional service to manufacturers of electronic equipment incorporating a “design-in” service using qualified engineers, whose expertise was supported by the provision of quality electronics components at competitive prices.

The first three years saw steady growth when the Company moved to Newcastle Road, Congleton in Easter 1982.  Diamond’s major product groups at the time comprised Power Semi-Conductors, Opto Electronics and VDRs (from General Electric (USA)) as well as Nicad rechargeable battery packs.

By 1988 a long and mutually beneficial relationship with IMO had been established bringing about changes in the product base where the dominance of semiconductors had been replaced by electro mechanical components. 

The staff level had grown to seven and together with two extensions to the Company’s premises,  the first computer system was installed.  Further franchises were gradually added and 10 years after its formation, business Diamond achieved for the first time a turnover of £1m.

As a result, it was decided to move away from the concept of a proprietorship to that of a Management Team.  This change was felt necessary to take advantage of the opportunities that would inevitably arise in the 90s and the need to introduce controls and systems to manage the growth of the business.

To enable more accurate controls to be applied to sales, stock and finance, a further new computer was purchased and installed in the first quarter of 1992 during which the Company also achieved accreditation to BS5750 Part II, as part of the ongoing drive to improve quality of performance and supply.

August 1994 saw the completion of the long awaited move to our existing premises at Smallwood.  This move was as a result of significant growth in the previous twelve months. The new premises provided a launching pad for the growth from increases in our supplier base the two main additions which were to be APT (Power semiconductors) from the USA and Velleman Switch, of Belgium.

Another milestone was achieved in December 1994 when Diamond passed the £2 million turnover for the first time.  To ensure growth would be maintained, a new comprehensive product catalogue was launched and the company also exhibited at two industry national exhibitions in Birmingham and London.

The Investors in People Award was achieved in November 1995 and presented to us by Sir John Harvey-Jones. This well known and popular business guru toured our premises meeting our staff and the event was marked by the planting of an evergreen Oak tree in the front gardens of the office.

To sustain the 30% growth achieved in 1995 a new computer system was then installed in 1996 and three new franchises; Dubilier, McMurdo and Fagor were signed up. The following three years saw a rationalisation of the electronics industry which had begun in the early nineties and continued apace with many of the medium & large companies merging or being taken over. It was also a difficult period regarding business opportunities and turnover.

In 1999 however, the decision was made to form three divisions.(a) Component Distribution, (b) HMI (Human Machine Interface) and (c), KSD (Kitting Services Division). This was felt by the Board to be essential in order to give the company better focus and provide a high standard of specialised service to customers & suppliers.

In 2000 Diamond reached a reached record turnover of £4M.

With the improved focus on suppliers further franchises were added to the distribution offering.

A.C.P a comprehensive range of Carbon potentiometers, which complemented the re-introduced range of B.I. Cermet  pots.& resistive products. Two ranges of cost effective connectors and terminal blocks were also added via Deecon & Deca Switch Labs.

The HMI division benefited from the introduction of Everbouquet, Winstar & Tri-T. All three manufacturers produce high quality LCDs,  Chip on glass, and other custom interface products. These products combined with the initial switch offerings from Velleman, Kingley & Baran provide an ideal “design-in” portfolio  for the interface market.

The Kitting division increased its customer base and turnover with the addition of some new and strategic major accounts. At the end of 2003 the planned new warehouse was completed & three new Auto-servers installed. The provision of this facility was designed to allow for growth over the next 5 – 10 years.

At the end of 2004 we achieved a turnover of £5.5M, which was a magnificent result to which everyone had contributed.

 The company also achieved the milestone of 25 years successful trading, The event was marked by a night at out Tatton park for all the staff and partners.

During the following years of 2006-2008 the company continued to trade successfully. The company upgraded all its IT systems during this time and had to undertake a major review of all the products it stocked and sold to ensure that it complied with the new EU RoHS directive, having completed the in depth analysis the company applied for and was awarded the prestigious RoHS trusted award, being one of the first ten companies in the country to receive the award.

As many of our customers were moving production offshore to Eastern Europe and the Far East the company made the decision to create a far Eastern Based company and we now have within our group a Hong Kong registered company and a mandarin speaking employee who is located in Taiwan, was also recruited . Having this company and member of staff allows us to support our customers who are manufacturing in the Far East whilst also helping us to be closer to some of our key manufacturing partners.

During 20008 we launched a new division www.diamondlelighting.co.uk . This new range of lighting products saves the customer 90% of the energy required to run traditional lighting products, we also exhibited our HMI range of products at the Munich fair in the November of 2008.

2009 was a very difficult year for the global economy with the problems caused by the credit crunch making many customers very nervous, this led to a very sudden and dramatic reduction in economic activity and the world entered into the deepest recession since the 1930’s.Whilst we were not immune to the industry problems and we suffered a reduction in turnover we continued to  make detailed plans for returning the company to  growth ,we have made detailed plans for accelerating the growth of our LED division ,this coincided with an  invitation to a reception at Number 10 Downing street with the Prime minister and the secretary of state for business.

The company ethos and passion for staff training and development is still to the fore and  during March 2010 we were awarded the “commitment to Training and development Award” by Cheshire East Chamber of commerce, the company was also short listed for its  commitment to the environment

We continue to make our plans for the future believing that during 2010 the industry would bounce back ……. We are determined to make 2010 the best year ever in our history

Diamond Electronics Ltd comprises a team of more than 35 staff who work together to achieve the mutual goals of customer and colleague aspiration.  This co-operation has seen the Company grow consistently during the last 30 years as you have seen we expect and plan for it to continue into the future. 

If you are a new employee we welcome you to the team.  If you are an existing employee we thank you for your contribution in the creation of this successful and continuing story……………….

Customer Creed "OUR" CUSTOMERS"

•  Our customers are the most important people in our business - whether they come to us in person, write to us or telephone us.


• Our customers do not depend upon us. We depend upon them - to earn our living.


• Our customers are not an interruption to our work. They are the purpose of it. They have selected us and given us the opportunity to serve them. It is our privilege.


• Our customers are not people with whom to argue or to match our wits. No one has ever won an argument with a customer.


• Our customers come to us because they need our goods and services. They have selected us. It is our job to satisfy them in a way, which is profitable to them – as well as ourselves.


• Our customers are not cold statistics. They are flesh and blood – human beings, just like us. People buy, from people they like.


• To match their expectations, for us is only the beginning. To exceed their expectations, is our standard. We will go the extra mile.


• Our customers are the most important people in our business.

WITHOUT THE CUSTOMER – WE HAVE NO BUSINESS