The autonomous department was launched by the Wiltshire-based business last year, and aimed specifically at meeting customer demand for new product introductions (NPI), small batch assembly and quick turn around. Exception Group is set to further improve on the quality and service it delivers to its customers with a GBP 500,000 investment into new equipment and resources for the facility by the end of the year. Over the coming months Fastrack's capabilities will be upgraded with new placement machines, the updating of the vapour phase oven and the introduction of a DEK 03i printer. Other enhancements will include a 3D X-ray machine and the capability to place 0.3 BGAs - vital to keeping Fastrack and its clients ahead of their respective competitors.

Richard Brighton, Managing Director of Exception EMS, says: 'Offering such a leading-edge service is not just a question of technology, it's a lot about people as well'. 'We now have a fully dedicated team of 14 within Fastrack, acting as a business within a business, so it's able to focus 100% on the needs of clients and ensure that critical factors, such as time and quality, are delivered without compromise'.

Chris Hodder, Managing Director of Fastrack, says: 'The first year's figures have been very impressive, especially if you take into account the complexity levels we work to for some of our clients - 90% of our orders were turned around in ten days or less, and 55% in less than five days'. 'Fastrack's ability to consistently produce high quality product, with the added option of a 24 hour turn, has definitely contributed to the growth seen throughout the year'. 'Furthermore, the personnel that make up the Fastrack team work well together, taking pride in their attention to detail, quality and commitment'. 'They listen to, fulfil and usually surpass the client's demands and that's what sets the Fastrack team apart'. 'Exception has made many positive changes over the last year and the introduction of Fastrack has been a key development of the group's offering to customers across sectors such as medical, military, aerospace, defence, communications and industrial electronics'.