ACR Electronics
ACR Electronics is a privately held Florida-based manufacturer of 406 MHz emergency distress beacons (EPIRBs, PLBs, aviation ELTs) and Iridium-backed satellite communicators serving commercial aviation, maritime, outdoor, and military/defense markets worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1960
- HeadquartersKenansville, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ACR Electronics does
ACR Electronics, Inc. is a privately held Florida corporation founded in 1956 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that designs and manufactures emergency distress beacons and survival equipment for the aviation, marine, outdoor, and military/defense markets. The company operates a portfolio of wholly owned subsidiary brands including ARTEX (aviation ELTs), Bivy (satellite communicators), Skytrac, Flight Data Systems, Latitude Technologies, NAL Research, FreeFlight Systems, Ocean Signal, United Moulders, and TRX Systems. Its core technology stack is built around the COSPAS-SARSAT 406 MHz international search-and-rescue satellite system, integrating GPS/Galileo GNSS positioning, AIS local vessel alerting, Return Link Service (RLS) confirmation, Near Field Communication (NFC), MEOSAR compatibility, and Iridium satellite connectivity.
The product portfolio spans Personal Locator Beacons (ResQLink 400, View, 410 RLS, and AIS), maritime EPIRBs (GlobalFix V5 AIS and V6), aviation Emergency Locator Transmitters including the GADSS-compliant ELT 5000 Distress Tracking, two-way satellite communicators (Bivy Stick, Bivy Stick MESH), electronic distress flares (ResQFlare), searchlights, AIS SARTs, and survival radios. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales of beacons and accessories, supplemented by recurring subscription revenue from Bivy Stick satellite communicators (Bivy Go plans). Distribution is hybrid: direct-to-consumer e-commerce through acrartex.com, a global authorized dealer and certified service center network, and direct enterprise sales to airframe manufacturers (Boeing) and major airlines (Air Canada, Virgin Australia) for ICAO 2023 GADSS compliance. Customer concentration is anchored in regulated commercial aviation, but the consumer and marine dealer channels provide a diversified volume base across 251–500 employees worldwide.
ACR Electronics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ACR Electronics
- Legal name
- ACR Electronics, Inc.
- Website
- https://acrartex.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1960
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- ACR Electronics is a privately held Florida-based manufacturer of 406 MHz emergency distress beacons (EPIRBs, PLBs, aviation ELTs) and Iridium-backed satellite communicators serving commercial aviation, maritime, outdoor, and military/defense markets worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ACR Electronics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Emergency Locator Beacons
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Satellite Telecommunications (5174)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine Safety, Alarm & Monitoring Systems (Fire/Gas, IAS, PA/GA) (IMAJAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS) (IMAJAJAE), GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems (IMABAFAC), Emergency Telecommunications & Connectivity (ETC) (BPADADAG), Emergency Communications, Alerting & Public Warning Systems (HLAJAGAF)
Keywords
Where ACR Electronics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kenansville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ACR Electronics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Emergency Beacon Hardware Sales: One-time sale of rescue beacons (EPIRBs, PLBs, ELTs), satellite communicators, and survival accessories. Products are sold through direct e-commerce, dealer network, and enterprise sales channels. Includes battery replacement services through certified service centers.
- Satellite Communicator Subscriptions: Bivy Stick and Bivy Stick MESH require monthly subscriptions for satellite messaging, GPS tracking, location sharing, and SOS monitoring via Global Rescue. Subscription plans (Bivy Go) offer tiered access with no upfront device cost options.
- Accessories and Mounting Kits: Sale of complementary accessories including mounting kits (Essential and Comprehensive), solar panels, GoPro adapters, carrying cases, and replacement components.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) - No subscription required |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | EPIRBs - Vessel-mounted emergency beacons |
| Hybrid | Monthly | Bivy Stick Satellite Communicator - Hardware + subscription required |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Safety and Survival Kits - Bundled products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bivy Accessories - Mounting and charging |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
ACR Electronics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ACR Electronics manufactures emergency locator beacons and survival equipment including Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) for aviation, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) for maritime vessels, Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) for outdoor adventurers, and two-way satellite communicators (Bivy Stick). Products operate on the COSPAS-SARSAT international satellite search and rescue system and integrate GPS/Galileo GNSS positioning, AIS local alerting, Return Link Service confirmation, and NFC smartphone connectivity.
Product overview
ACR Electronics manufactures rescue beacons and survival equipment for aviation, marine, and outdoor markets. The product portfolio includes ARTEX Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) for aviation including the ELT 5000 Distress Tracking for GADSS compliance, GlobalFix V5/V6 EPIRBs for maritime vessels, and ResQLink Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) including ResQLink AIS with combined 406 MHz satellite and AIS alerting. The Bivy Stick and Bivy Stick MESH provide two-way satellite communication via Iridium network with Global Rescue SOS monitoring. Supporting products include electronic distress flares (ResQFlare), marine searchlights (RCL series), survival radios (SR203 VHF), Search and Rescue Transponders (SART), and rescue strobe lights. Products operate on COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system and support technologies including RLS, NFC, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ARTEX: Leading aviation brand designing and manufacturing Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), battery packs and ELT accessories for general, business, commercial and military aviation. Selected by the world's largest airframe manufacturers, airlines and governments.
- ResQLink
- GlobalFix
- Bivy
- ARTEX ELT
- ResQFlare
- OLAS
- Bivy App
Products and services
- ARTEX ELT 5000 Distress Tracking (DT) Fixed 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter with in-flight tracking and post-flight localization for GADSS compliance. Automatically transmits distress messages with real-time aircraft location via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite network. For commercial aviation, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers.
- ARTEX ELT 4000/4000M Emergency Locator Transmitter for general and transport aviation applications, including STC certification for Boeing 737 aircraft. For fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft operators.
- GlobalFix V6 EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon with Return Link Service and mobile app connectivity for maritime vessels. For commercial and recreational mariners.
- GlobalFix V5 AIS EPIRB EPIRB with AIS alerting, Return Link Service, and Near Field Communication for coastal cruising and offshore maritime use. For commercial and recreational vessels.
- ResQLink AIS Personal Locator Beacon Personal Locator Beacon combining 406 MHz satellite, AIS local alerting, RLS confirmation, and NFC smartphone connectivity in a single device. For marine, outdoor, and aviation users.
- ResQLink View RLS PLB Buoyant Personal Locator Beacon with digital display showing live status and GPS coordinates, Return Link Service, and 28-hour operational life. For marine and outdoor adventurers.
- ResQLink 410 RLS Personal Locator Beacon Personal Locator Beacon with Return Link Service for confirmation that distress message was received by authorities. For marine, outdoor, and aviation users.
- ResQLink 400 Personal Locator Beacon
Quantifiable outcome
- Lives saved documented through Survivor Club program
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ACR Electronics
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ACR Electronics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature7 records
ACR Electronics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Canada's Largest Airline (Air Canada)coreACR Electronics signed a significant contract with Canada's largest airline (Air Canada) to supply GADSS Distress Tracking Emergency Locator Transmitters from ARTEX. The ARTEX ELT 5000 DT system equips the airline's fleet for ICAO 2023 GADSS initiative compliance, integrating in-flight tracking and post-flight localization in a single crash-resistant unit.
- Australia's Second-Largest Airline (Virgin Australia)coreAustralia's second-largest airline selected the ARTEX ELT 5000 Distress Tracking (DT) for GADSS Compliance. The fixed 406 MHz ELT provides in-flight tracking and post-flight localization in a single crash-resistant unit for compliance with ICAO 2023 GADSS initiative.
- BoeingcoreACR Electronics collaborated with Boeing to conduct comprehensive safety of flight testing on the ARTEX ELT 5000 Distress Tracking GADSS ELT. Boeing selected ARTEX Distress Tracking ELT for GADSS compliance on commercial aircraft. The ELT 5000 achieved certification on Boeing 787 aircraft. This collaboration validated the reliability and performance of the ELT 5000 under real-world conditions.
- Aircraft Spruce and Aero PerformancecoreAircraft Spruce and its sister company Aero Performance were added to the ARTEX ELT Dealer Network. They operate nine regional distribution centers in the US and Canada, shipping an average of 4,000 orders per day to aircraft repair facilities, flight schools, MROs, corporate operators, and aircraft owners worldwide. Their dedicated sales force adds regionalized product availability for ARTEX emergency locator transmitters.
- Global RescuecoreGlobal Rescue handles all SOS monitoring for Bivy Stick users. Once the SOS button is activated, Global Rescue dispatches the appropriate SAR based on the user's location. Monthly subscription includes dispatch for rescue anywhere in the world. Global Rescue provides 24/7 emergency response services accessible through the Bivy app or device SOS button.
- IridiumcoreBivy Stick and Bivy Stick MESH communicate via the Iridium satellite network, which provides 100% global coverage including polar regions for two-way satellite messaging, GPS tracking, location sharing, and SOS alerts in the most remote environments.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ACR Electronics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- L3Harris Technologies: Major aerospace and defense contractor with search-and-rescue, avionics, and tactical communication product lines. Adjacent competitor in distress beacon and aviation safety electronics for military/commercial markets.
- Thales: Global aerospace and defense prime with aviation safety, navigation, and surveillance product lines. Competes with ACR/ARTEX in commercial aviation safety equipment and offers broader integrated cockpit/safety solutions to airlines.
- Honeywell Aerospace: Large aerospace prime offering avionics, flight safety systems, and emergency locator products for commercial aviation. Competes with ARTEX for OEM slots on transport-category aircraft, particularly in GADSS distress tracking.
- Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions: Aerospace and defense communications specialist with aviation safety, satellite communication, and emergency locator products. Competes with ACR/ARTEX in aviation ELTs and SATCOM-enabled safety solutions for commercial and military customers.
- Garmin: Dominant outdoor/avionics OEM with inReach satellite communicators (Iridium-based two-way SOS + tracking), GPS aviation products, and marine electronics. Overlaps with ACR's outdoor PLB/SOS segment and increasingly in satellite SOS messaging vs. Bivy Stick.
Direct peers
- SPOT (Globalstar): Satellite SOS/messaging product line (SPOT X, SPOT Trace) operating over Globalstar's LEO satellite network. Direct competitor to Bivy Stick in the consumer/outdoor satellite communicator category, including subscription-based tracking and SOS dispatch.
- Jotron: Norwegian manufacturer of maritime and aviation emergency beacons (EPIRBs, PLBs, ELTs, SARTs) with Cospas-Sarsat-certified products. Closest like-for-like competitor to ACR's distress beacon portfolio across the same regulatory frameworks (SOLAS, GMDSS, ICAO GADSS).
- Orolia (McMurdo): Specialist in search-and-rescue beacons, emergency location transmitters, and GNSS-based positioning. McMurdo brand directly competes with ACR in marine EPIRBs and aviation ELTs under the same Cospas-Sarsat ecosystem.
Others
- Iridium Communications: Sole satellite network provider for Bivy Stick (100% global coverage including poles). Strategic infrastructure partner and ecosystem participant rather than a direct product competitor — Iridium enables ACR's satellite communicator business model.
Emerging players
- GME (Standard Communications): Australian manufacturer of marine EPIRBs and PLBs (Accusat brand). Competes with ACR in the Asia-Pacific marine safety market, particularly relevant given Virgin Australia and Asia-Pacific airline exposure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ACR Electronics social profiles
Digital presenceACR Electronics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
ACR Electronics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ACR Electronics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
ACR Electronics subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
ACR Electronics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ACR Electronics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A8 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ACR Electronics
What does ACR Electronics do?
ACR Electronics manufactures emergency locator beacons and survival equipment including Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) for aviation, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) for maritime vessels, Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) for outdoor adventurers, and two-way satellite communicators (Bivy Stick). Products operate on the COSPAS-SARSAT international satellite search and rescue system and integrate GPS/Galileo GNSS positioning, AIS local alerting, Return Link Service confirmation, and NFC smartphone connectivity.
Is ACR Electronics a public or private company?
ACR Electronics is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was ACR Electronics founded?
ACR Electronics was founded in 1960. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is ACR Electronics based?
ACR Electronics is headquartered in Kenansville, United States, in the North America region.
How does ACR Electronics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Emergency Beacon Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are satellite Communicator Subscriptions and accessories and Mounting Kits.
Who are ACR Electronics's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are L3Harris Technologies, Thales, Honeywell Aerospace, Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions and Garmin. Direct peers are SPOT (Globalstar), Jotron and Orolia (McMurdo). Iridium Communications is listed as an others. GME (Standard Communications) is listed as an emerging player.
Does ACR Electronics have an API?
No public API is recorded for ACR Electronics.
What industry is ACR Electronics in?
ACR Electronics's product category is Emergency Locator Beacons. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAJAG, Marine Safety, Alarm & Monitoring Systems (Fire/Gas, IAS, PA/GA), with a secondary code of IMAJAJAE, Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.