How Custom Interconnect keeps Blatchford ready for innovation

Interconnect Helps Keep Blatchford’s Supply Chain Resilient, Agile, and Ready for Innovation

In the world of prosthetics and orthotics, reliability isn’t optional; it’s essential. At Blatchford, we rely on a robust and responsive supply chain to ensure that patients receive the life-changing technology they depend on. Our partnership with Custom Interconnect (CIL) has become essential to our business.

From supporting our product development teams to helping us overcome supply chain challenges, CIL has proven to be more than a supplier; they’re a proactive, trusted collaborator. We sat down with Trevor Heath, Blatchford’s Purchasing Manager, and Stephen Robinson, Head of Supply Chain, to discuss how the relationship evolved and where it’s heading.

Looking for More Than Just a Supplier

The relationship began out of a strategic need: to mitigate supply chain risk and avoid overloading a single supplier with new product streams, especially as projects like LINX were gaining momentum.

“We needed someone who could handle the technical complexity,” explains Trevor. “But also a supplier that was the right size for our volumes and competitive on cost.Custom Interconnect offered all that, and being just down the road in Andover meant we could collaborate easily."

After reviewing multiple suppliers, the decision became clear. CIL wasn’t just capable, they were willing to grow alongside Blatchford and bring added value to the table.

“They’ve got a long history in electronics, especially in sectors like defence,” Trevor says. “But it was their attention to quality and ability to support our design process that made them stand out."

Stephen adds that CIL also played a key role in Blatchford’s wider supply chain strategy.

“We wanted to move away from being single-sourced wherever possible,” he explains. “Bringing in CIL helped make our operations more resilient and responsive."

Partnering Through the Product Lifecycle

CIL’s role goes far beyond manufacturing. They validate designs, bills of materials (BOMs), and component availability from the early stages of product development.

“When we send a design across, they check for part obsolescence, lead times, and drawing accuracy,” Trevor explains. “It’s that kind of proactive input that helps us avoid costly rework or supply delays down the line."

They also provide rapid prototyping and help validate new product designs, supporting speed and quality.

Stephen points out how CIL’s investment in technology has made a real difference.

“They run BOMs through their systems to catch any supply chain issues before they become a problem. It means we’re not designing products we can’t build later."

Day-to-Day Collaboration That Works

Blatchford’s supply chain relies on consistency and agility. That means close daily communication, something the teams have built into their work.

“There’s always product moving in and out,” says Trevor. “If we have issues with returns or need to tweak a design, it’s an open line of communication. We work closely to resolve it quickly."

And when something can’t be solved over email or phone?

“We just jump in the car and meet face-to-face,” Stephen adds. “That’s the benefit of working with a local partner. It’s a proper, collaborative relationship."

Solving Problems Together

Like any technical manufacturer, Blatchford faces challenges, from component shortages to test equipment issues. Trevor and Stephen say the difference with CIL is how they respond.

“We recently had some issues with test boxes used to validate circuit boards,” Trevor recalls. “Rather than push back, they worked with us to identify the problem and improve the testing process.”

That responsiveness also extended to resolving a longstanding issue with one of our product lines.

“We used to have regular stockouts,” Stephen says. “They worked closely with our design team to improve the technical spec, and now we’re in a position where we’ve got healthy stock levels. It’s been a real shift."

A Relationship That Keeps Evolving

As Blatchford expands its product range and R&D efforts, the partnership with CIL is growing too. The two companies are already collaborating on the next generation of products in the pipeline, and CIL is scaling to support the increased demand.