Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most, from buyers researching suppliers and from the companies listed here.
For Buyers
Is EMS Directory free to use? Yes, browsing, filtering, shortlisting and contacting suppliers are all free, with no account needed.
Is this only for UK buyers? No, EMS Directory exists to showcase the expertise and capability of UK electronics manufacturers to buyers wherever they're sourcing from, in the UK or internationally. Many of the companies listed here already export and support customers overseas, so sourcing a UK-based partner from abroad is exactly what this directory is built for.
How do I contact a supplier? Use the "Contact [Company]" button on a listing to reach one company directly. Or shortlist several (bookmark icon on any card, up to 6 at once) and use Send RFQ from the Compare view to send one enquiry to all of them at once, instead of filling in six separate contact forms.
What if my enquiry needs an NDA? Share what you can in the main enquiry, then note in additional comments that an NDA will be needed before you can go into further detail. The supplier will arrange that directly with you. Our part ends at the introduction, so EMS Directory is never party to the NDA or to anything discussed afterwards.
How up to date is the information on a listing? Every listing shows a "Last Updated" date. We build and recheck listings by pulling together publicly available (but scattered) information: each company's own website, their social and RSS feeds where available, and Companies House. Details can still move faster than any listing is updated, so always verify certifications, capacity and trading status directly with a company before relying on it for a business decision. See what "Verified" means on this directory for the full picture.
Why doesn't a listing show a phone number? We deliberately don't publish phone numbers on listings. Routing enquiries through Contact and Send RFQ means every enquiry is logged and reaches the right company reliably, rather than depending on a call landing with the right person.
A company I'm looking for isn't listed - what can I do? Let them know they can submit their own listing. It takes a couple of minutes.
Can EMS Directory help with onsite support? Yes. Whether you're sourcing from overseas or simply want a second pair of eyes on the ground with a selected supplier, we can support supplier selection, NPI, DFM/DFA reviews, APQP, PPAP, First Article Inspection, PFMEA, Run at Rate, process validation, ECN/ECO implementation, and 8D root-cause and corrective action, among other stages. Get in touch at ems@emsdirectory.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
For Listed Companies
How do I get listed? Submit your listing: company name, website, contact details and address is enough to get started. We fill in and verify the rest from your own public information.
Is being listed free? Yes, there's no charge to be listed on EMS Directory.
Why does my listing not use my company logo? If your listing shows the EMS Directory icon instead of your own logo, it's because we weren't able to safely pull one from your website: either no logo is published there, the link to it no longer works, or your site's own security setup (an expired or invalid certificate, for example) stops browsers loading it securely on our site. Rather than leave the space blank, we show a placeholder in the meantime. Get in touch at ems@emsdirectory.co.uk with a link to your logo and we'll add it.
Why doesn't my listing show every service or capability we offer? Listings are built the same way as the rest of the directory: from publicly available (but scattered) information, mainly your own website and, where available, Companies House. If a capability isn't clearly stated somewhere public, it won't appear, even if it's genuinely something you offer. Send us a company presentation, brochure or capability list at ems@emsdirectory.co.uk and we'll review it and update your listing.
How do I update or correct my listing? Get in touch at ems@emsdirectory.co.uk with what needs changing, and we'll update it directly.
Why doesn't my listing show a phone number? Phone numbers aren't published on any listing (see above). Enquiries reach you through Contact and Send RFQ instead, which are logged and land as genuine leads regardless of who'd otherwise have answered a call.
Can I claim my listing? Not yet. For now, just get in touch and we'll make any changes directly.
What other ways can EMS Directory support my business? Beyond a standard listing, we offer additional services to help listed companies reach more buyers and run more effectively: featured profile placement for extra visibility, marketing email campaigns (mailshots) to relevant buyer audiences, an outside review of your website, social media marketing, and guest blog opportunities on EMS Directory itself. We also offer onsite support drawing on a sales and operations background: covering areas such as sales strategy and pipeline development, key account management, operational process improvement, and wider business development. Get in touch at ems@emsdirectory.co.uk to discuss what would help.
About EMS Directory
Who runs EMS Directory? EMS Directory is run by Colin Astbury, drawing on over 25 years across operations, quality, engineering and sales leadership within electronics manufacturing, including senior roles at global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers across automotive, industrial, aerospace and defence, medical and rail. Happy to connect on LinkedIn.