| Type | Limited |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronics |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder(s) | Mike Lee & Chris Stevenson |
| Headquarters | Colchester, Essex, UK |
| Products | Electronic components, cables & connectors, electrical & educational products |
| Employees | 150 |
| Website | www.rapidonline.com |
Rapid Electronics is a UK distributor of electronic components and educational products, and supporter of science, engineering and educational initiatives, based in Colchester, Essex.
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Rapid Electronics was established by Mike Lee and Chris Stevenson in 1979. The company at this time was based in a converted barn at Eynsford, Kent, holding stock of around 200 products. Advertising in the retail electronics press generated sales and a small single sheet catalogue was mailed to customers[1]. By 2008 Rapid had increased its stock-holding to around 50,000 products and moved premises several times. Employing around 150 people, the company is currently located in premises close to the A12 and the Colchester Community Stadium.
The company's core products are electrical components such as resistors, capacitors and LEDs.
Among the company's customers are electrical contractors, design engineers and assembly manufacturers, amateur radio and model railway enthusiasts.
Rapid Electronics are also a supplier to primary schools, secondary schools and further education institutions in the UK, specialising in equipment for the science, electronics and technology areas of the National Curriculum.
Since 2004 Rapid Electronics have partnered Toyota Manufacturing UK developing and co-ordinating the Toyota Technology Challenge[2]. Pupils design, build and race environmentally friendly vehicles using solar power or PIC microcontroller technology. The company are also an official partner of the Jaguar Cars Maths in Motion scheme, and a sponsor of industry awards and events, such as the European Electronics Industry Awards[3]. Rapid also provides resources and technical support to the Young Engineers organisation, which runs a network of engineering challenges and clubs across the UK.[4]