ACR Electronics

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.

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

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

• Emergency locator beacons
• Personal locator beacons
• Marine safety equipment
• Aviation distress beacons
• Satellite communication devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Kenansville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Canada's Largest Airline (Air Canada)coreTechnology or Integration · 20 March 2024ACR 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)coreTechnology or Integration · 30 January 2024Australia'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.
• BoeingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2023ACR 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 PerformancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAircraft 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 RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal 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.
• IridiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationBivy 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

Broad 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

• Xx.com/acrartex
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ACR406
• Facebookfacebook.com/ACRARTEX
• Instagraminstagram.com/acrartex
• Pinterestpinterest.com/acrartex
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acr-electronics-inc---acr-artex

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A8 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACR Electronics