Solid State
Solid State PLC is a UK-based, AIM-listed electronics group that designs, manufactures and distributes ruggedised components, custom battery and power systems, and RF/antenna assemblies for defence, aerospace, industrial, medical and transportation customers operating in harsh environments, with a growing US presence.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersRedditch, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Solid State does
Solid State PLC is a UK-headquartered, AIM-listed value-added electronics group that designs, manufactures and distributes ruggedised electronic components, custom battery and power systems, antenna/RF assemblies, and secure communications equipment for operation in extreme temperatures, pressure, humidity and vibration. The group operates through two principal divisions: Components (Solsta), which supplies specialist electronic components and assemblies to commercial, industrial and defence customers, and Systems (Steatite), which delivers manufactured units, ruggedised computers and antenna solutions into defence, aerospace, industrial, medical and transportation markets. A third Power capability, centred on the 2022 acquisition of US-based Custom Power LLC and supplemented by the 2024 acquisition of Q-Par Antennas USA and Gateway Electronic Components, has materially expanded the group's transatlantic footprint and its ability to design and build custom battery packs, including pressure-tolerant Li-S chemistries, for defence, medical, marine and downhole applications.
The company makes money primarily through direct enterprise and government hardware sales on a project-by-project, contract-negotiated basis, with no publicly disclosed list pricing. The go-to-market is direct field sales to defence ministries (notably the UK MoD and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency), tier-one defence primes (BAE Systems, Saab), and industrial OEMs, supported by attendance at industry events such as DSEI London. Reported revenue on the company website is £125.1m, with FY2024 profit before tax of £12.2m and adjusted operating margin of 10.4%, and the group has been profitable every year since its 1996 AIM listing. The business model is deliberately diversified across verticals (defence, aerospace, industrial, medical, transportation) and geographies (UK, US, Europe) to offset the lumpy, programme-driven nature of defence contracting.
The group has executed an active inorganic growth strategy, raising approximately £25m via a 2022 placing to fund the Custom Power acquisition, and following up with the cash-funded Gateway acquisition in October 2024 and the Q-Par USA acquisition in November 2024. Recent commercial milestones include a US$10.8m NSPA order for Project CAIN, a UK defence collaboration with Volklec, and a Saab naval antenna assembly contract, all of which deepen the group's positioning as a niche supplier of mission-critical electronics into Western defence supply chains.
Solid State firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Solid State
- Legal name
- Solid State PLC
- Website
- https://solidstateplc.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Solid State PLC is a UK-based, AIM-listed electronics group that designs, manufactures and distributes ruggedised components, custom battery and power systems, and RF/antenna assemblies for defence, aerospace, industrial, medical and transportation customers operating in harsh environments, with a growing US presence.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Solid State industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defence and Industrial Electronics Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (3341), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (3344)
- SIC
- Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AC-DC Power Supplies (Industrial PSUs, DIN-rail, enclosed/open-frame) (IMAGADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation) (IMAHAHAK), Stationary Energy Storage Systems (BESS/ESS Integrators) (IMAGAHAD)
Keywords
Where Solid State is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Redditch
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Solid State business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Components: Sale of electronic components and ruggedised computer hardware through the Solsta brand, serving commercial, industrial and defence customers with components for harsh environments.
- Systems (Steatite): Sale of manufactured systems including power solutions, battery packs, and antenna assemblies through the Steatite brand, serving defence, aerospace, and industrial markets.
- Custom Power (USA Operations): Revenue from Custom Power LLC, a US-based battery systems and energy solutions provider acquired in 2022, serving the defence, medical and industrial markets in North America.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Solid State product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Solid State PLC is a value-added electronics group that designs, manufactures, and distributes ruggedised electronic components, assemblies, and complete manufactured units (including custom battery packs, antennas, power systems, and secure communications equipment) engineered to operate reliably in harsh and extreme environments. Operating through the Solsta (Components), Steatite (Systems) and Custom Power (Power) divisions, the company supplies commercial, industrial, defence, aerospace, medical and transportation markets.
Product overview
Solid State PLC is a UK-listed (AIM:SOLI) electronics group operating two divisions: Components (Solsta) and Systems (Steatite). The company supplies commercial, industrial, and defence markets with durable components, assemblies, and manufactured units for specialist and harsh environments. The portfolio includes acquired brands such as Custom Power LLC (battery systems and energy solutions), Gateway Electronic Components Ltd (electronic components distribution), and Q-Par Antennas USA (antenna and RF solutions). The company serves markets including defence, aerospace, medical, and industrial applications, with operations in the UK and USA.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Steatite Systems Ruggedised computers, antenna assemblies, secure communications systems, and integrated electronic systems engineered for harsh operational environments, supplied to defence, aerospace, industrial and transportation customers.
- Solsta Components Distribution and supply of electronic components, assemblies, and manufactured units for specialist applications in commercial, industrial and defence markets.
- Custom Power Battery Systems Design and manufacture of custom battery packs and energy solutions, including pressure-tolerant Li-S (lithium-sulfur) battery packs, serving defence, medical, marine, downhole and industrial applications.
- Q-Par Antennas RF Solutions Antenna and RF solutions, including naval antenna assemblies integrated into defence platforms, serving defence and aerospace customers.
- Gateway Electronic Components Distribution Electronic components distribution serving defence, aerospace and industrial applications, broadening the group's product range and customer base within the components sector.
- Rugged Systems Computing Solutions Ruggedised computing hardware and systems designed for harsh environments, including defence, aerospace and industrial applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Revenue grew from £67.4m (2020) to £163.3m (2024), representing a 2.4x increase over four years
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Solid State
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Solid State technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Solid State partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)coreSolid State secured a US$10.8m initial order from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) for Project CAIN, representing a major channel to NATO member nation defence customers through the NSPA procurement framework.
- VolkleccoreSolid State (through its Custom Power division) entered into a UK Defence collaboration with Volklec, a battery technology partner. The collaboration is focused on advancing power solutions for UK defence applications, combining Custom Power's battery systems expertise with Volklec's capabilities.
- SaabcoreSaab selected Steatite, a Solid State brand, for a Naval Antenna Assembly contract. Steatite provides antenna and RF solutions integrated into Saab's naval defence systems, representing a strategic supply partnership in the defence sector.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Solid State competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- EnerSys: US-listed industrial battery and energy storage systems manufacturer serving defence, medical and industrial customers. Closest direct comparable for Solid State's Custom Power LLC business.
- Mercury Systems, Inc. US-listed mission-critical defence electronics and ruggedised computing provider serving aerospace and defence primes. Closest US peer for Solid State's ruggedised computing and RF/antenna offerings.
- Chemring Group plc: UK AIM-listed defence electronics and countermeasures business with strong UK MOD and allied nation customer overlap. Similar size band and ruggedised defence technology profile.
- Cohort plc: UK AIM-listed defence technology group supplying electronics, sensors and communications to UK MOD and allied governments. Directly comparable customer base, size and defence focus as Solid State's Steatite division.
- Allied Motion Technologies Inc. US-listed designer and manufacturer of precision motion control and power electronics for defence, aerospace and industrial markets. Comparable in ruggedised power and motion electronics for harsh environments.
- TT Electronics plc: UK-listed manufacturer of electronic components and assemblies for harsh-environment industrial, aerospace and defence applications. Closely comparable in ruggedised electronics design and manufacturing for demanding environments.
- discoverIE Group plc: UK-listed specialist electronic components designer and distributor serving industrial, medical and defence markets. Closely comparable to Solid State's Solsta components distribution model with similar customer verticals and design-in philosophy.
- Ultra Electronics Holdings plc: UK defence electronics specialist serving naval, land and air platforms with secure communications and rugged systems. Overlapping capability set with Solid State's Steatite division, particularly naval antenna and secure comms work.
Broad incumbents
- Curtiss-Wright Corporation: US-listed defence and industrial electronics, power and motion control specialist. Provides a broader incumbent comparison for Solid State's combined rugged electronics, power and antenna businesses.
- HEICO Corporation: US-listed aerospace and defence electronics aftermarket and OEM manufacturer. Larger, broader incumbent in defence electronics; useful as an aspirational scale benchmark for the Steatite/Custom Power portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Solid State social profiles
Digital presenceSolid State compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Solid State financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Solid State leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Solid State subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Solid State funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Solid State M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A7 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Solid State
What does Solid State do?
Solid State PLC is a value-added electronics group that designs, manufactures, and distributes ruggedised electronic components, assemblies, and complete manufactured units (including custom battery packs, antennas, power systems, and secure communications equipment) engineered to operate reliably in harsh and extreme environments. Operating through the Solsta (Components), Steatite (Systems) and Custom Power (Power) divisions, the company supplies commercial, industrial, defence, aerospace, medical and transportation markets.
Is Solid State a public or private company?
Solid State is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Solid State founded?
Solid State was founded in 1972. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Solid State based?
Solid State is headquartered in Redditch, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Solid State make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Components are the primary driver. The others are systems (Steatite) and custom Power (USA Operations).
Who are Solid State's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are EnerSys, Mercury Systems, Inc., Chemring Group plc, Cohort plc, Allied Motion Technologies Inc., TT Electronics plc, discoverIE Group plc and Ultra Electronics Holdings plc. Broad incumbents are Curtiss-Wright Corporation and HEICO Corporation.
Does Solid State have an API?
No public API is recorded for Solid State.
What industry is Solid State in?
Solid State's product category is Defence and Industrial Electronics Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGADAA, AC-DC Power Supplies (Industrial PSUs, DIN-rail, enclosed/open-frame), with a secondary code of IMAHAHAK, Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation). Its NAICS code is 335313 and its SIC code is 3620.