COMMS DESIGN LIMITED

What COMMS DESIGN LIMITED does

Comms Design Limited is a privately held UK engineering design and manufacturing business headquartered in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and a subsidiary of Unipart Group. Founded in 1991, the firm specialises in electronic product development for the rail industry, with a portfolio centred on radio-based, safety-critical signalling and communication systems for single-track and low-density rural routes. Core offerings include Digital In-Cab Signalling built on Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) and the next-generation Advanced RETB (A-RETB), which uses sensor-fusion positioning and SIL Level 4 interlocking to deliver collision, over-speed and track-authority protection; the Request to Stop (RtS) digital passenger-request system, deployed on the Scottish Far North Line and trialled in Wales with Transport for Wales; Worksite Radio portable base stations for tunnels and remote locations; and the Top Level Monitoring System for remote asset diagnostics. The firm is also the official UK distributor for Funkwerk safety radios.

The business model is B2B enterprise, selling hardware systems, occasional software licences, and managed maintenance/support services directly to Train Operating Companies, Network Rail and rail industry partners under a quote-based pricing model. Revenue is generated through one-off project sales of signalling hardware, software and monitoring platforms, ongoing service contracts covering repairs, scheduled maintenance, obsolescence management, on-site support and training, and hardware resale via the Funkwerk distribution arrangement. The company holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications, is RISQS qualified, and is a member of the Railway Industry Association and Rail Forum. Growth investment has been supported by non-dilutive UK Government grants from the Department for Transport and Innovate UK under the First of Kind competition, including 2024 awards for National Request to Stop product development and a proof-of-concept trial in Wales.

The firm's commercial universe is concentrated in the UK rail sector, with named enterprise and government customers including Network Rail, Park Signalling, ScotRail, LNER, Freightliner, Amey, DB Schenker and Transport for Wales. Distribution, brand and corporate infrastructure are accessed through its Unipart Group parentage, which also opens cross-selling with sister company Unipart Rail. Comms Design operates with a small headcount (11-50 employees) and does not disclose revenue, funding rounds beyond government grants, or financial metrics in the public source material.

Name

COMMS DESIGN LIMITED

Legal name

Comms Design Limited

Website

https://commsdesign.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Comms Design Limited is a UK-based, Unipart-owned engineering design and manufacturing firm that builds safety-critical radio signalling and communication systems — including RETB, A-RETB and Request to Stop — for British rail infrastructure managers and train operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrogate

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Rail Signalling Hardware Systems: Sale of digital in-cab signalling equipment, RETB base stations, in-cab radios, and related hardware to rail operators and infrastructure managers.
2. Software and Digital Solutions: Digital signalling software including Request to Stop systems and associated monitoring platforms.
3. Maintenance and Support Services: Comprehensive service and support including equipment repairs, scheduled routine maintenance, software support, proactive asset monitoring, obsolescence management, on-site support, and training programs.
4. Funkwerk Safety Radio Distribution: UK sales, order fulfilment and customer support for Funkwerk safety radio range as official distributor.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Comms Design is an engineering design and manufacturing company that develops electronic products for the rail industry. It designs, manufactures, and supports digital in-cab railway signalling systems (RETB and A-RETB), passenger request-to-stop digital signalling systems, portable worksite radios, and remote asset monitoring platforms. The company also distributes Funkwerk professional GSM-R safety radios in the UK and provides lifetime maintenance and support for its installed equipment.

Product overview

Comms Design offers a portfolio of digital railway signalling and communication products for single-track rural routes. The core offerings include Digital In-Cab Signalling (a radio-based block signalling system) and Request to Stop (a digital passenger-request system that eliminates unnecessary train stops). These are complemented by Worksite Radio (portable communication for challenging environments) and the Top Level Monitoring System (remote asset monitoring). The company also distributes Funkwerk safety radios as an official UK distributor. The A-RETB represents the advanced next-generation version of their in-cab signalling technology, integrating modern positioning and communication systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• A-RETB (Advanced RETB): Advanced Radio Electronic Token Block system integrating cutting-edge communication and positioning technologies for secure single-track digital in-cab railway signalling on rural, single-track, passenger, freight, and industrial routes.

Products and services

• Digital In-Cab Signalling (RETB) A system of railway block signalling designed for single track rail routes with light to medium traffic density that uses a radio network to issue electronic tokens directly to the driver, replacing physical token systems. Features a SIL level 4 interlocking system for safety-critical token management and is targeted at UK rail infrastructure managers and Train Operating Companies.
• A-RETB (Advanced RETB) Next-generation digital in-cab signalling system integrating cutting-edge communication and positioning technologies for rural, single-track, passenger, freight, and industrial routes. Features resilient positioning using sensor fusion, train integrity monitoring, and protection against collisions, over-speed incidents, and track authority violations. Targeted at rail operators needing modern digital signalling on routes where traditional systems are uneconomical.
• Request to Stop (RtS) A digital signalling system enabling passengers to request a train to stop using an on-platform communication system that sends a signal directly to the driver of an inbound train. Operates on RETB, GSM, or GSM-R networks and includes a Customer Information Screen displaying live timetable and stop confirmation. Targeted at Train Operating Companies running services on rural routes with request stops.
• Worksite Radio A portable radio base station system designed to address communication challenges faced by railway engineers working in tunnels, mines, and remote locations where traditional mobile phones and standard radio systems experience limited coverage. Compatible with existing radio equipment and provides enhanced signal strength in signal-challenged environments. Targeted at railway engineers and infrastructure maintenance teams.
• Top Level Monitoring System (TLMS) A remote monitoring system that tracks the status and performance of Comms Design assets including Request to Stop kiosks, providing connection status, live performance metrics, fault diagnosis, trend identification over time, event correlation, and real-time performance reporting. Targeted at rail operators and infrastructure managers needing proactive asset monitoring.
• Funkwerk Safety Radios (UK Distribution) A range of professional GSM-R safety radios distributed by Comms Design as the official UK distributor for Funkwerk, including the focX handheld safety radio with Android-based platform, touchscreen interface, emergency call and push-to-talk buttons, IP65-rated rugged design for demanding railway environments. Targeted at UK rail and industrial sectors needing safety-critical professional radio communication.
• Maintenance and Support Services Comprehensive service and support for Comms Design installed equipment, including equipment repairs, scheduled routine maintenance, software support, proactive asset monitoring, obsolescence management, on-site support, and training programs. Targeted at rail operators and infrastructure managers using Comms Design systems across their networks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 6 litres of fuel saved per avoided unnecessary train stop for diesel multiple-unit trains
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Funkwerk Systems GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 July 2024Comms Design appointed as official UK distributor for Funkwerk safety radios. Comms Design manages all UK sales, order fulfilment and customer support for the Funkwerk range including the focX handheld safety radio. Funkwerk is a leading provider of professional radio communication technologies with robust GSM-R terminals designed for demanding railway environments.
• Transport for WalescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Comms Design and Transport for Wales trialling Request to Stop digital signalling system at Llanfairpwll and Ty Croes stations. The trial runs from 23rd-24th July. Transport for Wales is sponsoring the development of a system that marks a significant step forward for rural rail services in Wales. Project funded by DfT and Innovate UK FOAK competition.
• Unipart GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComms Design is a Unipart company and part of Unipart Group 2024. The company leverages Unipart's corporate infrastructure, rail industry relationships, and operational resources. Unipart Rail is a sister company operating in the rail sector.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Motorola Solutions: Major enterprise communications vendor with rail-grade radio and command-and-control offerings used by transit and rail operators. Comparable as a supplier of professional safety-critical radio hardware and managed communications platforms that overlap with Funkwerk/Comms Design offerings.
• Hitachi Rail: Major rail signalling and digital train control provider, owner of the former Ansaldo STS and Westinghouse Rail Systems UK signalling franchises. Overlaps with Comms Design in UK digital in-cab signalling and rail communications products, but at a much larger scale and broader product portfolio.
• Alstom: Global rolling stock and rail signalling incumbent with a UK footprint (former Bombardier Transportation). Competes in ETCS and digital signalling, providing both the technology stack and integrated train-control solutions that may eventually substitute for RETB-style architectures.
• Thales: Provides rail signalling, train protection, and communications systems globally, with established UK rail references. Overlaps with Comms Design on safety-critical communication and train control products for rail operators.
• AtkinsRéalis (SNC-Lavalin): Major UK rail engineering and consultancy provider working on signalling, communications, and digital rail programmes for Network Rail and TOCs. Adjacent peer given overlapping customer set and rail systems engineering scope, although it does not manufacture RETB-style products.
• Siemens Mobility: Global rail signalling and infrastructure incumbent with a major UK presence (including a significant signalling operation in Chippenham). Competes with Comms Design in digital signalling, train protection, and rail communications, although Siemens' portfolio spans the full rail lifecycle rather than RETB niches.

Emerging players

• Hytera Communications: Global professional mobile radio manufacturer with rail-specific communications products. Comparable to Comms Design's radio communications line and to the Funkwerk distribution portfolio for enterprise rail and industrial customers.
• Kenwood (JVCKENWOOD): Manufacturer of professional land mobile radio equipment used by rail and industrial customers. Peer in the professional safety-radio segment where Comms Design competes and distributes complementary products.
• Funkwerk Systems GmbH: German manufacturer of professional radio communication systems, including GSM-R terminals for demanding railway environments. Comms Design is Funkwerk's UK distributor, but Funkwerk itself is a peer in safety-critical rail radio hardware that Comms Design's Worksite Radio and Funkwerk-branded products compete with or complement.

Direct peers

• Telent Technology Services: UK-based technology and network services company providing rail communications, signalling support, and asset monitoring to Network Rail and TOCs. Directly comparable as a UK-focused rail communications and asset-management specialist serving the same enterprise customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/comms-design-limited
• Xx.com/comms_design

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 COMMS DESIGN LIMITED