What Rowe Hankins does

Rowe Hankins is a UK-based specialist manufacturer of safety-critical electrical equipment for trains and trams, founded in 1979 by engineers Toni Hankins and Roger Rowe and headquartered in Bury, Greater Manchester. The company designs, manufactures, and services a portfolio of rail-focused products built on proprietary Hall Effect sensing and non-intrusive current measurement technology, including speed sensors (single, dual, and innovative 4-channel configurations), tachometers, circuit breakers, RCBOs, AC and DC earth leakage detection units, non-intrusive current monitoring (NIC) devices, surge arrestor modules (SAM), electrical harnesses, and on-train/judicial data recorders (OTDR/JRU). Integrated solutions span both trainborne and trackside applications, including the Tram Overspeed Protection System (TOPS), LIDAR obstacle detection, Intelligent Wheel Flange Lubrication (iWFL), Top of Rail Friction Modifier (ToRFM), and the AI-powered RH-xR condition monitoring system. The company operates in-house high-current DC testing capabilities up to 2000 Amps and holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RISQS, and IRIS accreditations.

The business model combines hardware sales (safety-critical sensing, protection, and monitoring devices) with engineering services spanning design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and refurbishment of electro-mechanical rail components. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting rail operators, train OEMs, and maintenance facilities globally, supplemented by channel partnerships with ZTR and Motion Applied for distribution in UK and Ireland markets and active participation in major industry exhibitions including Innotrans, Asia Pacific Rail, and RSN. Customers include Network Rail, Irish Rail, Thales GTS (supplying the New York Metro R211 fleet), Hyundai Rotem, Türasaş (Turkey), São Paulo Metro, CAF, and Talgo, with a multi-continent footprint across the UK, Ireland, Turkey, Brazil, the USA, Spain, China, and Hong Kong.

The company employs approximately 25 people across engineering, manufacturing, sales, operations, and service functions. Following the appointment of a new CEO (David Owen) in February 2025, Rowe Hankins has expanded its commercial team, launched channel partnerships for distribution of complementary ZTR and Motion Applied technologies, and extended its presence in condition-based monitoring through the machine learning-enabled RH-xR system introduced in 2024. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the company remains privately held with no parent organization or external funding rounds evidenced in available data.

Name

Rowe Hankins

Legal name

Rowe Hankins Ltd

Website

https://rowehankins.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rowe Hankins is a UK-based specialist manufacturer of safety-critical electrical equipment for trains and trams, including speed sensors, circuit protection, non-intrusive current monitoring, and AI-powered condition monitoring systems, serving rail operators and OEMs globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rail Electrical Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)

SIC

Railroad Equipment (3743), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Traction Motor, Generator & Electrical Rotating Equipment Repair (TLAKAIAE)

Keywords

• Rail electrical equipment
• Speed sensors
• Circuit breakers
• Earth leakage detection
• Rail engineering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Safety-Critical Rail Products: Sale of safety-critical electrical equipment for trains and trams including speed sensors, circuit breakers, tachometers, earth leakage detection units, RCBO's, surge arrestor modules, electrical harnesses, and cable systems. Products designed for long-term reliability in demanding rail environments.
2. Engineering & Design Services: Professional rail-industry engineering and design services from concept through in-service support, delivering compliant, reliable solutions meeting industry standards and Safety Authority approvals.
3. Installation & Commissioning Services: Expert installation and commissioning services by experienced rail engineers, including high-current DC testing as part of commissioning process for DC traction sector.
4. Maintenance & Support Services: Ongoing maintenance and lifecycle support services with rapid turnaround servicing, in-house high-current DC testing capabilities, and detailed industry-recognised reports following testing.
5. Upgrades & Refurbishment Services: Specialist overhaul and enhancement services for electro-mechanical rail components including high-current DC circuit breakers, contactors up to 2000 Amps, relays, and associated components. Cost-effective alternative to replacement with full validation testing.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rowe Hankins designs, manufactures, and supplies safety-critical electrical and electronic equipment for rail and tram applications, including speed sensors, tachometers, circuit breakers, RCBOs, AC and DC earth leakage detection units, non-intrusive current monitors (NIC), surge arrestor modules (SAM), electrical harnesses, cable systems, integrated solutions (Detect & Protect, TOPS, LIDAR, iWFL, ToRFM, OTDR/JRU), and the AI-powered RH-xR Condition Monitoring System. The company also delivers rail industry engineering, design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and refurbishment services across the full product lifecycle.

Product overview

Rowe Hankins is a specialist manufacturer of safety-critical electrical equipment for trains and trams, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and engineering services. The core product line includes speed sensors, circuit breakers, RCBO's, AC & DC earth leakage detection units, non-intrusive current monitoring (NIC) devices, tachometers, surge arrestor modules (SAM), and electrical harnesses. These sensing, protection, and monitoring products are complemented by integrated solutions including Detect & Protect (combining NIC and SAM technologies), Tram Overspeed Protection System (TOPS), LIDAR obstacle detection, Intelligent Wheel Flange Lubrication (iWFL), Top of Rail Friction Modifier (ToRFM), and On Train/Judicial Data Recorders. The company also provides end-to-end engineering services spanning design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and refurbishment. Rowe Hankins serves as a distributor for ZTR control systems and telematics, and Motion Applied vehicle dynamics products in UK and Ireland markets. An AI-powered RH-xR Condition Monitoring System was introduced in 2024 for real-time railway asset monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Speed Sensors High-integrity rotational speed sensing devices using Hall Effect technology for rail and industrial applications, available in single, dual, and innovative 4-channel configurations providing improved EMC immunity and redundancy. For rail operators and OEMs requiring axle-mounted rotational speed detection.
• Circuit Breakers Robust circuit protection devices engineered for safety-critical rail and industrial applications, offering high tolerance to shock and vibration, inrush current immunity, and configurable protection options with selectable trip curves. For rail operators and maintenance facilities.
• Non-Intrusive Current Monitoring (NIC) Non-intrusive current monitoring devices that measure AC and DC currents without direct electrical connection, enabling preventative maintenance through early identification of equipment degradation via trend data analysis with standard 4-20 mA output. For rail trackside monitoring applications.
• Tachometers High-integrity tachometer systems designed for axle-mounted installation on trains and trams, providing reliable speed and rotational feedback using Hall Effect technology for trainborne control and protection systems. Available in single, dual, and multi-channel configurations.
• Surge Arrestor Module (SAM) Surge protection devices designed to protect signalling systems, trackside equipment, and operational facilities from electrical disruptions, featuring plug-in replaceable modules, harsh environment performance, and configurable options.
• Electrical Harnesses Custom-engineered wiring solutions for rail and industrial applications, designed to withstand vibration, temperature fluctuations, and electromagnetic interference while providing reliable electrical connectivity.
• RCBO's (Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overload) Combined residual current detection and circuit protection devices for AC electrical systems that measure AC residual current and automatically trip when fault conditions are detected. Available in 2-pole (Series 373) and 4-pole (Series 368) configurations with MCB ratings up to 50A.
• AC & DC Earth Leakage Residual current detection units that monitor current imbalance in fixed electrical installations and connected equipment, providing early detection of insulation degradation to reduce risk of equipment failure, unplanned downtime, and safety incidents.
• Detect & Protect Solution Integrated solution combining Non-Intrusive Current Monitoring (NIC) for early fault detection and Surge Arrestor Modules (SAM) for protection against electrical disturbances, providing a layered approach to infrastructure resilience.
• Tram Overspeed Protection System (TOPS) Independent, safety-critical system that monitors tram speed relative to predefined safe limits and automatically initiates fail-safe braking action or propulsion cut-off to prevent overspeed events and associated derailment or collision risks. For tram operators.
• Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Obstacle Detection Independent, safety-critical LIDAR detection system that uses laser-based ranging to identify obstacles, vehicles, and personnel, automatically initiating protective actions such as speed restriction or emergency braking.
• Intelligent Wheel Flange Lubrication (iWFL) Automated, condition-responsive lubrication system that applies controlled amounts of lubricant to wheel flanges based on operating conditions such as speed, curvature, and direction of travel to reduce wheel-rail friction, wear, and noise.
• Top of Rail Friction Modifier (ToRFM) Controlled friction management system that applies precisely metered friction-modifying material to rail heads in targeted locations to stabilize wheel-rail interaction, improving traction and braking consistency.
• On-Train / Judicial Data Recorders (JRU / OTDR) Tamper-resistant monitoring and recording systems that capture and protect critical operational and safety data including speed, braking commands, traction status, and driver inputs to support incident investigation and regulatory compliance.
• Cable Systems Safety-critical cable systems engineered for rail and tram environments providing reliable transmission of power, control, and safety signals with fire-safe, low-smoke construction and resistance to vibration and temperature extremes.
• RH-xR Condition Monitoring System AI-powered real-time railway asset condition monitoring system using advanced signal processing algorithms combined with machine learning and AI for 96.60% accuracy in analyzing machine operating states. For rail operators and maintainers.
• ZTR Partner Products ZTR rail technology solutions including KickStart, InteLevel, AxleGen, Pivot, BoA, NexSys, and SmartStart (monitoring, control, and optimization products) sold and supported by Rowe Hankins in UK and Ireland through partnership.
• Motion Applied Partner Products Motion Applied vehicle dynamics technologies including FLEET CONNECT and EDGE RAIL products derived from Formula 1 methodologies for rail and transport applications, supplied via Rowe Hankins in UK and Ireland.
• Engineering & Design Services Rail-industry engineering expertise from concept through in-service support, delivering compliant, reliable solutions meeting industry standards and Safety Authority approvals.
• Installation & Commissioning Services Expert installation and commissioning services including high-current DC testing as part of the commissioning process to validate equipment meets operational and safety requirements.
• Maintenance & Support Services Proactive lifecycle support including rapid turnaround servicing, in-house high-current DC testing capabilities, and detailed industry-recognised reports for electro-mechanical rail assets.
• Upgrades & Refurbishment Services Specialist overhaul and upgrade services for electro-mechanical rail components including high-current DC circuit breakers, contactors up to 2000 Amps, and relays with full validation through high-current DC testing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96.60% accuracy in AI vibration condition monitoring system
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

AI capability4 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ZTRcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 October 2025Partnership with ZTR, a global railway technology company, to expand access to advanced control systems and telematics in the UK and Ireland. The collaboration enables Rowe Hankins to sell and support ZTR's full product portfolio locally, including control systems and smart technologies. Rowe Hankins joined by ZTR at RSN 2026 to showcase condition monitoring and data-driven maintenance strategies.
• ZTRcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZTR develops rail technology solutions focused on improving operational efficiency, safety, and asset performance while supporting sustainability objectives. With decades of experience in the rail sector, ZTR engineers products designed to deliver reliable performance and measurable reductions in environmental impact. Products available through Rowe Hankins include KickStart, InteLevel, AxleGen, Pivot, BoA, NexSys, and SmartStart.
• Motion AppliedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMotion Applied applies advanced vehicle dynamics expertise to improve the performance and efficiency of public transport systems. Drawing on decades of experience in high-speed vehicle optimisation, the company develops technologies derived from Formula 1 methodologies for use in rail and other transport applications. Has worked with transport operators and manufacturers internationally. Products include FLEET CONNECT and EDGE RAIL, derived from McLaren technology.
• Thales GTScoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing partnership with Thales Ground Transportation Systems as approved supplier. Rowe Hankins reconfirmed as approved supplier for further 3 years in 2023 after many years of collaboration. Supplying speed sensors for Thales projects including New York Metro R211 fleet extension.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LEM Holding: LEM is a specialist manufacturer of current and voltage sensors used extensively in rail traction, energy management, and industrial applications. Their current transducers overlap directly with Rowe Hankins' Non-Intrusive Current Monitoring (NIC) technology for wayside and trackside rail applications.
• Quester Tangent: Quester Tangent designs and manufactures on-board electronics and train control/monitoring systems for transit agencies and rail OEMs, with comparable safety-critical embedded systems for speed sensing, event recording, and vehicle health monitoring — directly overlapping with Rowe Hankins' OTDR/JRU and sensor portfolio.
• ZTR Control Systems: ZTR is a direct peer in rail telematics, condition monitoring, and locomotive control systems, also Rowe Hankins' channel partner. Their overlapping products (KickStart, InteLevel, AxleGen, SmartStart) for railway asset performance management are directly comparable to Rowe Hankins' NIC and RH-xR offerings in serving rail operators and OEMs.
• Bender Group: Bender specializes in electrical safety and insulation monitoring devices, including residual current monitoring systems that detect insulation degradation in critical power systems — directly comparable to Rowe Hankins' AC & DC earth leakage detection and RCBO products in rail and industrial applications.

Broad incumbents

• ABB: ABB is a global electrification and automation supplier with significant rail traction, signaling power, and asset health monitoring offerings. Their rail-focused electrical protection and current monitoring products compete broadly with Rowe Hankins' circuit breakers, RCBOs, and NIC technology but within a much wider industrial portfolio.
• Hitachi Rail: Hitachi Rail is a global rail solutions provider spanning rolling stock, signaling, and digital asset management including condition monitoring. They overlap with Rowe Hankins in safety-critical train electronics and predictive maintenance but compete from a position of much greater scale and breadth across the rail value chain.
• Wabtec Corporation: Wabtec is a large-scale rail equipment manufacturer covering locomotives, freight car components, signaling, and digital solutions including predictive maintenance. Their portfolio overlaps with Rowe Hankins' sensing, monitoring, and protection products but spans the entire rail value chain globally.
• Alstom: Alstom is a global rail systems OEM and maintainer producing trains, signaling, and infrastructure including on-board electronics. They compete broadly with Rowe Hankins in safety-critical train-borne electrical equipment but at vastly greater scale, and frequently source specialist sub-components from companies like Rowe Hankins.
• Knorr-Bremse: Knorr-Bremse is a global leader in rail safety-critical systems including braking, HVAC, and now rail digital/condition monitoring (via HaslerRail). As a far larger incumbent, they compete broadly with Rowe Hankins in safety-critical electronics for trains and trams, but as part of a much wider portfolio.
• Siemens Mobility: Siemens Mobility is a major rail systems integrator offering rolling stock, rail automation, and electrification including on-board electronics and condition monitoring. As a global systems OEM, they bundle safety-critical sensors and protection devices into large turnkey rail projects where Rowe Hankins typically serves as a specialist supplier.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rowehankins1
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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rowe-hankins

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Rowe Hankins