What Direct Track Solutions does

Direct Track Solutions Ltd (DTS) is a UK-based manufacturer and distributor of railway infrastructure components, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Chesterfield/Dinnington. The company supplies Network Rail and its approved contractor base with Permanent Way products — pads, clips, fishplates, sleepers, rail sections, and bespoke track components — alongside the Polecat Level Crossing CCTV system (the only Network Rail-approved CCTV solution in operation), the SHF-Pro epoxy filler for railway timber and composite repairs, mechanical points operating equipment, and track tools and gauging instruments. Multiple Network Rail product acceptance certificates (PA05/06752 through PA05/07469) and ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and RISQS certifications anchor the company's position within the regulated UK rail supply chain.

DTS operates a hybrid distribution-and-manufacturing model. On the distribution side, the company holds exclusive UK representation for Schwihag Group components (Hollow Steel Sleepers, Check Rail, Slide Baseplates, SKL Clips) following its 2024 acquisition by the Swiss parent, and serves as UK partner for TENCONI (Benkler) insulated fishplates. On the manufacturing side, in-house capabilities include high-pressure water jet cutting (60,000 psi), CNC vertical machining centres, induction bending, plasma cutting, welding, finishing, and a 3D scanning plus 3D printing prototyping workflow for reverse engineering and bespoke part development. Revenue is generated through one-off component sales and project-specific manufacturing services, with no publicly listed pricing. Distribution is direct, B2B, relationship-driven via phone and email, with next-day fulfillment supported by a 25,000 sqft, 400+ pallet position warehouse.

The customer base is concentrated in UK rail infrastructure operators and approved contractors. Since 2024, DTS has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Schwihag Group, a Swiss rail components manufacturer founded in 1971, functioning as Schwihag's UK distribution entity while retaining its brand and operating identity.

Name

Direct Track Solutions

Legal name

Direct Track Solutions Ltd

Website

https://directtracksolutions.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Direct Track Solutions Ltd is a UK manufacturer and distributor of Permanent Way products, mechanical points operating equipment, Polecat level crossing CCTV, and bespoke precision manufacturing services, supplying Network Rail and its approved rail infrastructure contractors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Railway Infrastructure Components and Manufacturing Services

NAICS

Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing (3365), Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing (33699)

SIC

Railroad Equipment (3743)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Equipment & Services (Tamping, Grinding, Renewal) (TLAJADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Railway Track & Civil Works Construction (Ballast, Slab Track, Alignment) (IMAFAFAA), Braking Systems Maintenance & Overhaul (Pneumatic/Electro-Pneumatic) (TLAKAIAF)

Keywords

• Rail track components
• Permanent way materials
• Railway infrastructure manufacturing
• Mechanical points operating equipment
• Level crossing CCTV systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Dinnington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Railway Track Components Sales: Supply of Permanent Way products including track materials, clips, pads, fishplates, sleepers, rail sections, and bespoke track components. Revenue generated from product sales with next-day delivery capability for stocked items.
2. Precision Manufacturing Services: Range of manufacturing services including water jet cutting, CNC machining (VMCs), thread cutting, plasma cutting, induction bending, welding, and finishing. Services support both custom fabrication and high-volume production.
3. Mechanical Points Operating Equipment: Manufacture and supply of approved mechanical points operating equipment including frontdrive kits, backdrive kits (channel rodding and tubular variants), and spare parts for UK rail network.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Direct Track Solutions manufactures and distributes approved permanent way products for the UK rail network, including track materials, mechanical points operating equipment, level crossing CCTV systems, and SHF-Pro epoxy filler, complemented by in-house precision manufacturing services such as water jet cutting, CNC machining, welding, and 3D scanning-based bespoke fabrication. The company holds Network Rail product acceptances and serves rail infrastructure operators and contractors across the UK.

Product overview

Direct Track Solutions offers a portfolio of railway infrastructure products and manufacturing services. The core product lines include Track Materials (permanent way smalls, insulated fishplates, S&C pads, sleepers, rail, bespoke parts, and Schwihag components), SHF-Pro rail infrastructure hole filler, Mechanical Points Operating Equipment (frontdrive and backdrive kits for switch operations), the Polecat Level Crossing CCTV system, and Track Tools & Gauging Equipment. These products are complemented by in-house manufacturing services including water jet cutting, CNC machining, welding, and finishing capabilities. The company operates as part of the Schwihag Group and serves the UK rail network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Track Materials Comprehensive range of permanent way smalls for the UK rail network, including pads, clips, insulators, screws, ferrules, fishbolts, fishplates, baseplates, BH chairs, insulated fishplates, switch and crossing pads, sleepers and bearers, rail, and bespoke track components. Designed for Network Rail-approved rail infrastructure operators and railway contractors.
• SHF-Pro Epoxy Filler Two-part, solvent-free epoxy-based filler and adhesive for high-impact railway timber and composite repairs, with rapid 20-minute curing, VOC A+ rating, and 24-month shelf life. Used for structural repairs and hole maintenance across rail infrastructure.
• Mechanical Points Operating Equipment Network Rail-approved mechanical points operating equipment including CEN56E1 (113LB) Full Depth and CEN56E1/CEN54E1A1 Shallow Depth variants, frontdrive kits, backdrive channel rodding kits, tubular backdrive kits, direct fix tubular backdrive kits, and spare parts for switch operation on the UK rail network.
• Polecat Level Crossing CCTV System Network Rail approved level crossing CCTV system designed to suspend two cameras 9 to 11 metres above a crossing, with vertical-only camera movement for OHLE areas, inertia brake, non-ferrous materials, and a 30-year life expectancy. Supplied to UK rail infrastructure operators.
• Track Tools and Gauging Equipment Track tools and gauging equipment for railway maintenance, including DTS TBAR Insulated Ferrule Extractor, Maxim MKii Laser Alignment Gauge, Gauge Bar Retainers, Fastclip installers/extractors, Universal Pan Setters/Pullers, Backdrive Alignment Kits, and Track Geometry Radius/Versine Gauges.
• Precision Manufacturing Services In-house manufacturing services for rail and industrial customers, including water jet cutting (60,000 psi, 1500mm x 1500mm envelope), CNC vertical machining centres, thread cutting, horizontal Digi-Bend, atom press die cutting, press brake, plasma cutting, induction bending, welding, finishing, design services, and product support. Supports both bespoke fabrication and volume production.

Quantifiable outcome

• Next-day delivery typically available for stocked materials due to high inventory levels
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TENCONI (Benkler)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024DTS is the UK partner for TENCONI (Benkler) insulated fishplates available for all UK and European rail profiles in 4- and 6-hole configurations. Joints are available in kit form for site assembly. TENCONI insulated fishplates are precision-engineered, fully encapsulated, dry-mechanical joints manufactured to exacting standards.
• Schwihag GroupcoreOthersAs of 2024, DTS became part of the Schwihag Group. Schwihag was founded in 1971 in Tägerwilen, Switzerland and has over 50 years' experience in the rail sector. Schwihag specializes in developing and producing high-performance components for switches and tracks used in everything from global high-speed rail to metro systems. DTS acts as a key distributor for all Schwihag components including Hollow Steel Sleepers & Bearers, Check Rail and Slide Baseplates, Roller Packs, Tools and SKL Clip arrangements.
• Semperit AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTS, in partnership with Semperit AG, has full Network Rail product acceptance for the manufacture and supply of Switch & Crossing Rail and Under Baseplate pads. DTS pads are accurately cut on CAD/CAM systems using three on-site Waterjet Cutting Machines.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Loram Maintenance of Way: Major North American-headquartered provider of rail maintenance services and equipment (grinding, inspection, MOW). Overlaps with DTS as a maintenance ecosystem participant and competes for related rail infrastructure budgets globally.
• Knorr-Bremse: Global market leader in rail braking and on-board systems with broader rolling stock component exposure. Serves overlapping UK rail OEM and infrastructure customers and competes for engineering and component approval mindshare with Network Rail.
• Harsco Rail: Division of Enviri Group providing track maintenance equipment, MOW services, and rail infrastructure products. Adjacent competitor in the rail maintenance supply chain that serves similar customers including Network Rail and major European operators.
• Plasser & Theurer: World-leading manufacturer of maintenance-of-way (MOW) machines (tampers, grinders, stabilizers). Adjacent to DTS in that MOW equipment consumes the type of Permanent Way smalls DTS supplies, and both serve the same Network Rail maintenance ecosystem.
• Wabtec Corporation: Large global rail equipment and services provider covering freight and transit hardware, signaling, and MOW. Overlaps with DTS in rail components, services, and the Network Rail supplier ecosystem, but operates across far broader product categories and geographies.
• Progress Rail (Caterpillar): Large diversified rail equipment and services supplier offering trackwork, MOW services, and rail components globally. Overlaps with DTS on Permanent Way supply and UK rail customers but operates at much greater scale across multiple rail segments.
• Balfour Beatty Rail: Major UK rail infrastructure contractor delivering trackworks, electrification, and MOW services. Comparable as a UK-focused rail infrastructure operator that consumes Permanent Way components and overlaps with DTS in supply chain and project delivery.

Direct peers

• Pandrol: Global leader in rail fastening systems (clips, pads, baseplates) with deep Network Rail approvals and overlapping Permanent Way smalls product lines. Directly comparable to DTS's core track materials business and competes for the same UK infrastructure spend.
• Schwihag AG: Swiss parent company and direct manufacturer of rail switch and track components. DTS distributes Schwihag's full product range in the UK, making Schwihag the closest functional peer in terms of product portfolio and technical capability, despite the parent-subsidiary relationship.
• Vossloh AG: European rail infrastructure group with a strong switch and track components portfolio (including fastening systems). Comparable to DTS and Schwihag in switch component manufacturing and competes for the same rail operator approvals and contracts across Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Direct Track Solutions