What Steatite Ltd does

Steatite Ltd is a UK-based designer, developer, manufacturer, and supplier of rugged technology for harsh environments, headquartered in Redditch, Worcestershire and operating since 1938. The company is organised into five core business units — Steatite Embedded (rugged and industrial computing), Steatite Batteries / Custom Power (custom lithium battery packs for extreme conditions), Steatite Communications (secure MANET radio systems, including Persistent Systems' MPU5 and Wave Relay technology), Steatite Antennas (defence and security antenna subsystems), and Active Silicon (industrial imaging) — supported by integrated systems assembly at Redditch and a US battery assembly plant in Fountain Valley, California. Products are engineered to operate in demanding conditions including deep sea (battery packs rated to 6,000 metres depth), military battlefield environments, and hazardous industrial sites, with compliance to UK DEF STAN, American MIL-STD, NATO STANAG, and TEMPEST standards.

The company's go-to-market is enterprise and government field sales, with direct engagement to defence, security, industrial, medical, oil & gas, transportation, aerospace, and marine customers. Named reference customers include the UK Ministry of Defence (a $10.8 million Project CAIN order for secure ruggedised MANET systems), the National Oceanography Centre (battery modules for the Autosub autonomous research submersibles including Boaty McBoatface), and Persistent Systems LLC as a core technology partner. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of custom-engineered and design-in products across the five product lines, supplemented by technical documentation, pre-compliance testing, and project management services for integrated systems.

Steatite is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Solid State PLC (AIM: SOLI), which is one of three principal trading companies within the publicly listed group alongside Solid State Supplies Ltd and Pacer Components. The group operates an acquisition-led growth strategy, having integrated RZ Pressure Instruments (2007), Rugged Systems (2010, merged into Steatite 2011), Creasefield Batteries (2016), and Blazepoint. As of late 2025/early 2026, the company is navigating a leadership transition following the passing of long-serving CEO Gary Marsh, with John Macmichael confirmed as permanent CEO and Victor Chavez CBE (former CEO of Thales UK) appointed Non-Executive Deputy Chairman.

Name

Steatite Ltd

Legal name

Steatite Ltd

Website

https://steatite.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Steatite Ltd designs, manufactures, and supplies rugged computing, custom lithium battery packs, secure communications, antennas, and imaging systems for harsh-environment applications. It serves defence, government, industrial, medical, oil & gas, aerospace, and marine customers as a subsidiary of Solid State PLC (AIM: SOLI).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Redditch

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Rugged Computing Products: Sale of portable and industrial embedded computing, integrated computer systems, and rugged computers for harsh environments.
2. Custom Battery Packs: Custom lithium battery packs and power solutions designed for extreme environments including oil & gas, defence, and marine applications.
3. Secure Communications: Secure communication systems and radio technology including MANET radios, rugged displays, and command & control terminals.
4. Antennas & Subsystems: Specialist antenna manufacturing for defence and security applications.
5. Integrated Systems: Design, manufacture and integration of complex multi-functional consoles, rack cabinets and enclosures with project management, pre-compliance testing and technical documentation support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Steatite Ltd designs, manufactures and supplies rugged technology for harsh environments, operating five core product lines: rugged portable and industrial embedded computing solutions, custom lithium battery packs, secure communication systems (including MANET radios and command and control terminals), antennas and subsystems, and imaging technologies. The company also produces integrated computer systems including multi-functional consoles, rack cabinets and enclosures. Products are engineered to operate reliably in extreme conditions including deep sea, battlefield, hazardous industrial sites and autonomous vehicle platforms, with full compliance to UK DEF STAN, American MIL-STD, NATO STANAG and TEMPEST standards.

Product overview

Steatite Ltd operates as a diversified technology company specializing in rugged technology for harsh environments. The company offers a portfolio of five interconnected product lines: Rugged Computing Solutions (portable and industrial embedded computers), Custom Lithium Battery Packs, Secure Communication Systems, Antennas & Subsystems, and Imaging Technologies. Additionally, the company provides Integrated Computer Systems through its specialized facilities. These products are designed to work together as complete solutions for defence, aerospace, industrial, medical, oil & gas, and transportation markets. The company operates manufacturing facilities across the UK in Redditch, Leominster, Crewkerne, and Ashchurch, with additional battery assembly operations in California. As part of the Solid State PLC group (AIM: SOLI), Steatite serves customers requiring high reliability technology where failure is not an option.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Steatite Computing / Steatite Embedded: Rugged portable and industrial embedded computing solutions
• Steatite Batteries / Custom Power
• Steatite Communications
• Steatite Antennas
• Active Silicon
• Steatite Blazepoint

Products and services

• Rugged Computing Solutions Portable and industrial embedded computing solutions designed for harsh environments, including ruggedised computers for defence, industrial and transportation applications where failure is not an option.
• Custom Lithium Battery Packs Custom-designed lithium battery packs for extreme environment applications including oil & gas, aerospace and marine autonomous systems, with capabilities for deep ocean and high-temperature operation.
• Secure Communication Systems Secure radio communication systems and MANET (Mobile Adhoc Network) radio technology for tactical and defence applications, including rugged displays and command and control terminals.
• Antennas & Subsystems Advanced antenna systems and subsystems for defence and security applications, designed and manufactured at the Leominster facility using some of the UK's most advanced test equipment.
• Imaging Technologies Imaging technologies including cameras and vision systems for harsh environments, operated by Active Silicon at the Langley facility west of London.
• Integrated Computer Systems Design, manufacture and integration of complex multi-functional consoles, rack cabinets and enclosures with project management, pre-compliance testing and technical documentation support.
• GW-2000 Industrial GPGPU Workstation Industrial grade GPGPU workstation with 8th and 9th generation Intel Core processors designed for high-intensity graphical applications in harsh environments.
• CRiB Universal Command and Control Terminal Ruggedised universal command and control terminal for blue force tracking, battle management, UAV/UGV control, voice communication and full motion video viewing.
• ADLINK HPERC Series Fanless Military Grade PCs Fanless military grade PCs with Intel Xeon processors and optional NVIDIA Quadro MXM GPGPU for AI edge inference, deep learning, facial recognition, object detection and visual inspection in defence and harsh environment applications.
• MPU5 Wave Relay Radio System Secure ruggedised MANET radio technology from Persistent Systems supporting advanced operational capabilities in challenging environments, integrated into Steatite's rugged systems for UK defence customers.
• Autosub 2KUI Battery Module Custom battery module engineered for the National Oceanography Centre's Autosub 2KUI autonomous research submersible, designed to operate at depths up to 6,000 metres with crushing pressure and low temperatures.

Quantifiable outcome

• Autosub battery packs designed for 6000m depth operation with over 600 times atmospheric pressure tolerance
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Solid State PLCcoreOthersParent company quoted on UK AIM market (SOLI). Steatite is one of three principal trading companies within the Solid State Group, alongside Solid State Supplies LTD and Pacer LTD. Benefits from group resources, shared commitment to innovation, quality, and talent development.
• Solid State Supplies LTDminorOthersFellow trading company within Solid State PLC Group, based in Paddock Wood, Kent. Specialist electronic component distributor.
• Pacer ComponentsminorOthersFellow trading company within Solid State PLC Group.
• Persistent Systems LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner supplying MPU5 and Wave Relay Radio Technology integrated into Steatite's rugged systems. Steatite supplies these systems to UK MoD under Project CAIN. The partnership enables advanced operational capabilities including MANET networking for challenging environments.
• General DynamicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner exhibiting on Steatite stand at DSEI 2009 defence exhibition.
• National Oceanography Centre (NOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteatite is a partner at the NOC's Marine Robotics Innovation Centre. Collaborative development of battery systems for autonomous underwater vehicles including the Autosub Long Range (Boaty McBoatface) and Autosub 2KUI, designed for extreme ocean depths.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Getac Technology: Getac manufactures rugged laptops, tablets, and handheld computing for defence, public safety, and industrial customers. Closely comparable to Steatite's rugged computing and Steatite Blazepoint mobile computing lines, serving overlapping end markets with similar MIL-STD requirements.
• ADLINK Technology: ADLINK supplies embedded computing, fanless industrial PCs, and edge AI platforms, including the HPERC military-grade series that Steatite integrates and resells. Directly comparable in rugged edge computing and a direct technology partner to Steatite.
• Crystal Group: Crystal Group builds rugged servers, embedded computing, and integrated systems for defence, aerospace, and industrial harsh environments. Directly comparable to Steatite's rugged embedded computing and integrated systems product lines, including the integrated rack cabinets and consoles Steatite designs and manufactures.
• Kontron: Kontron manufactures embedded computing modules, motherboards, and rugged systems for industrial automation, transportation, and aerospace/defence. Comparable to Steatite's embedded computing portfolio, particularly its custom design-in capabilities and standards-compliant product range.
• Galvion (formerly Revision Military): Galvion designs and supplies rugged power and battery management solutions, head systems, and tactical power accessories for defence and security markets. Directly comparable to Steatite Batteries / Custom Power's custom lithium battery pack offering for extreme defence environments.
• Eurotech: Eurotech provides rugged embedded computing hardware, IoT gateways, and edge AI platforms for industrial, transportation, and defence applications. Highly comparable to Steatite's embedded computing and GW-2000 GPGPU workstation, with similar edge-AI and harsh-environment positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Panasonic Connect (Toughbook): Panasonic's Toughbook line is a market-leading rugged mobile computing brand serving defence, public safety, utilities, and field service. A broader incumbent with overlapping rugged computing exposure, but operating at much larger scale and across consumer-adjacent channels.
• EaglePicher Technologies: EaglePicher is a long-established manufacturer of specialised batteries and energetic devices for aerospace, defence, and medical markets. Comparable to Steatite Batteries for defence/aerospace custom lithium battery packs, but at a much larger scale and broader product portfolio.
• Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions: Curtiss-Wright supplies rugged electronics, mission systems, and integrated computing platforms across defence and aerospace. A broad incumbent comparable to Steatite's rugged computing and integrated systems business, with deeper prime-tier positioning and a much larger revenue base.
• Ultra Electronics: Ultra Electronics is a UK defence electronics prime supplying sonar, communications, and rugged integrated systems to NATO and allied customers. A broader incumbent operating across the same defence electronics space Steatite serves, but at materially larger scale and with full prime-contracting capability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/steatite
• Facebookfacebook.com/Steatite
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steatite
• Xx.com/Steatite

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Steatite Ltd