What Findlay Irvine does

Findlay Irvine Ltd. is a Scottish family-owned electro-mechanical and software engineering company founded in 1960 in Penicuik, Midlothian, near Edinburgh. The company designs, manufactures, and services a portfolio of transport-safety products organized around three pillars: Continuous Friction Measuring Equipment (the GripTester MK2 trailer-based system, the micro GripTester for roads and smaller surfaces, and the Helideck micro GripTester compliant with UK CAA CAP437), Weather Monitoring systems led by the Icelert MK8 station and Icelert.net web platform, and Rail Condition Monitoring covering signalling, power, track temperature, earthworks tilt, and switch heating through shared DCU390 data loggers. It also produces bespoke control systems for naval defence customers, including Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy applications, drawing on more than 40 years of defence-sector work.

The business operates an integrated in-house model — three buildings on the Penicuik site cover R&D, production (including a CNC machine shop and surface-mount electronics assembly), service, and administration — supported by Field Service Engineers traveling across England and Wales for on-site installation, calibration, and maintenance. Revenue is generated through a mix of capital equipment sales (550+ GripTesters sold to date; 3,000+ ICELERT 407M units on the UK rail network; 133 micro GripTesters worldwide), recurring maintenance contracts and bureau subscriptions (Icelert.net weather data service), and professional service revenue from calibration, training (965 sessions delivered), and repair.

The customer base is highly diversified across aviation (500+ airports in 100 countries), highway authorities, rail operators including Network Rail, offshore oil and gas helideck operators, and defence primes. Distribution is direct enterprise field sales supplemented by regional exclusive agencies (e.g., AviateQ Egypt, announced December 2025). Key certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, Cyber Essentials Plus, RISQS rail pre-qualification, ICAO airport accreditation, and Network Rail product approvals, which collectively form a significant regulatory barrier to entry.

Name

Findlay Irvine

Legal name

Findlay Irvine Ltd.

Website

https://findlayirvine.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Findlay Irvine is a family-owned Scottish engineering company, founded 1960, that designs and manufactures electro-mechanical friction-measuring, weather-monitoring, and rail-condition-monitoring equipment sold to airport operators, highway authorities, rail networks, offshore oil and gas operators, and defence customers in over 100 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Transport Safety Equipment

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment (3790)

akta.pro primary industry

Predictive Maintenance & Condition Monitoring Services (CBM/Vibration/Fluid Analysis) (TLAKAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wheel Alignment / Steering Geometry Measurement & Calibration (TLAKANAC), Brake-Based Active Safety Hardware Manufacturing (ABS/ESC/AEB Actuators & Modulators) (IMACAMAH)

Keywords

• Friction measuring equipment
• Skid resistance testing
• Rail condition monitoring
• Weather monitoring systems
• Transport safety equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Penicuik

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Safety Equipment Sales: Sale of GripTester MK2, micro GripTester, and Helideck GripTester equipment for skid resistance testing. One-time capital purchase of equipment.
2. Maintenance Contracts: Full maintenance contracts with 24-hour, 7-day-a-week helpline support. Pre and mid-winter calibrations for weather monitoring equipment.
3. Service and Calibration: On-site installation, calibration, repair, maintenance, and testing of equipment. Professional services for technical support and training.
4. Weather Monitoring Bureau Services: Icelert.net web-based weather data management system with automatic archiving, configurable action-recording, and warning broadcast via text/email.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Findlay Irvine designs, manufactures and services electro-mechanical and software products for transport safety. Its portfolio covers Continuous Friction Measuring Equipment (GripTester MK2 trailer-based CFME, micro GripTester for roads, and Helideck micro GripTester), road and runway weather monitoring systems (Icelert, FloodAlert, Windalert, Icelert.net), and rail condition monitoring systems (signalling, power, track temperature, earthworks, and switch heating controls). It also provides bespoke control systems for naval defence and on-site installation, calibration, maintenance contracts and training services.

Product overview

Findlay Irvine is a Scottish electro-mechanical and software products company serving the transport industries since 1960. The company operates a portfolio-plus-modules architecture consisting of three primary product families. First, Continuous Friction Measuring Equipment (CFME) centered on the GripTester MK2 (trailer-based, for airports and highways), micro GripTester for Roads (push-type for smaller surfaces), and micro GripTester for Helidecks (offshore-specific). Second, Weather Monitoring solutions headed by the Icelert MK8 weather station system with Icelert.net web management software, supplemented by FloodAlert and Windalert modules. Third, Rail Condition Monitoring covering five sub-domains: Signalling (DCU390 data loggers), Power (PSP monitoring, overhead line sensors), Track (wireless temperature monitoring), Earthworks (wireless tilt sensors with RailAlert portal), and Switch Heating (ICELERT 407M). The portfolio is unified by shared software platforms (Roadbase, Icelert.net, RailAlert) and data logger hardware (DCU390 family). Bespoke engineering services for defence applications round out the offering. All products are manufactured in-house at the company's Penicuik facilities near Edinburgh, Scotland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GripTester MK2: World's number one trailer-based continuous friction measuring equipment for use on roads, runways, and other surfaces. In operation worldwide, used everyday to make airports and highways flow safely.
• micro GripTester
• Helideck micro GripTester
• Icelert
• Icelert.net
• FloodAlert
• Windalert
• EarthWorks Monitoring System
• Wireless Rail Temperature Monitoring System
• DCU390
• ICELERT 407M
• Mine Entry Monitoring System
• RailAlert

Products and services

• GripTester MK2 Trailer-based continuous friction measuring equipment that measures skid resistance on roads and runways using an Automatic Water Delivery System. Outputs friction data compatible with Pavement Management Systems and GIS. Used by airport operators and highway authorities globally.
• micro GripTester for Helidecks Purpose-built continuous friction measuring device for helidecks and helicopter landing zones, compliant with UK CAA CAP437 standards and designed for harsh offshore environments. Includes locked wheel system, touchscreen display and Excel-format survey data output.
• micro GripTester for Roads Push-speed continuous friction measuring device for smaller surfaces such as high-friction surface dressing, white-line testing, accident sites, markings, iron works and pedestrian zones. Designed as a replacement for the British Pendulum, with integrated GPS, touchscreen display and no user calibration required.
• Icelert Weather Monitoring System Full weather station network system with sensors for monitoring runway and road weather conditions, interfacing with the Icelert.net web management platform. Configurable action-recording with SMS and email broadcast capabilities, automatic archiving and forecast viewing.
• FloodAlert Flood monitoring sensor and alert system integrated with the Icelert weather station network for early warning of flooding conditions at roads and airports.
• Windalert Wind monitoring sensor integrated with the Icelert weather station network for measuring and reporting wind conditions at airports and on road networks.
• Rail Signalling Monitoring Remote condition monitoring solutions for fixed trackside signalling infrastructure, using DCU390 data loggers compliant with Network Rail standards to enable planned preventative maintenance.
• Rail Power Monitoring Condition monitoring solutions for rail power assets including PSP/ASP monitoring, overhead line condition sensors and frost warning systems, using DCU390 data loggers with wireless data transfer and web-based management.
• Rail Temperature Monitoring System Wireless rail temperature monitoring system with sensors attaching to track and transmitting data to receiver units connected to web-based management. Minimum five-year battery life with low battery warning; approved by Network Rail for UK use.
• Rail Earthworks Safety System Early warning system for rail earthworks failures using multiple wireless tilt sensors, solar-powered data loggers and Day/Night IR cameras. Data is managed via the RailAlert web portal with automatic email alerts.
• Rail Switch Heating Controllers (ICELERT 407M) Rail switch heating controllers (including ICELERT 407M) developed to Network Rail requirements. Uses rail temperature and precipitation sensors to energise heating optimally, with over 3,000 systems in operation across the UK rail network.
• Bespoke Solutions for Defence Sector Custom-designed control and monitoring systems for naval and submarine applications including helicopter handling control systems, towed array handling systems, emergency and secondary propulsion, and mast control systems. Over 40 years of defence sector experience supplying navies such as the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy.
• Mine Entry Monitoring System Collapse detection system using dual axis inclinometer sensors and a sophisticated reporting/alarm system for monitoring closed or abandoned mine entries. Designed for early detection of collapse near critical infrastructure such as rail lines and buildings.
• Roadbase Software Desktop software for the GripTester MK2 designed for road and highway operations. Enables skid resistance data collection, investigatory level input, easy-to-read reports, real-time data displays during surveys, and exports in CSV, SHP and HMDF formats for Pavement Management Systems and GIS.
• FITerminal / Busbar Monitor iOS and iPad Apps iOS and iPad applications for field operations support, including busbar monitoring. Require Bluetooth 4.0/LE and an authentication code; collect no user information per privacy policy.
• Icelert.net Weather Data Management Platform Web-based weather data management platform that allows users to monitor weather data, disseminate decisions, view forecasts, manage winter maintenance activities, archive all data, configure action-recording with SMS/email alerts, and display duty rosters.
• RailAlert Web Portal Web-based earthworks data management portal for monitoring and managing earthworks sites, viewing and controlling systems, and providing early warning of slippages with automatic email alerts. Approved by Network Rail.
• Field Service, Installation, Calibration and Maintenance On-site installation, calibration, repair, maintenance, testing and training services delivered by Field Service Engineers, with 24/7 helpline support. Includes pre- and mid-winter calibrations for weather monitoring equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ airports in 100 countries rely on Findlay Irvine equipment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AviateQ EgyptcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 December 2025Exclusive agency agreement covering the micro GripTester for friction testing on helideck platforms in Egypt. The micro GripTester is the industry standard device for helideck testing and is fully compliant with UKCAA CAP437 standards. Partnership aims to strengthen Findlay Irvine's presence in the Egyptian market.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Vaisala: Vaisala is a global leader in environmental and industrial measurement, with a strong Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) product line that competes directly with Findlay Irvine's Icelert weather monitoring system. As a larger publicly-listed company, Vaisala serves airports, highways, and meteorological agencies worldwide.
• Kistler Group: Kistler is a Swiss-based global leader in dynamic measurement technology for pressure, force, acceleration, and torque. While serving multiple industries, Kistler's precision measurement instruments overlap with Findlay Irvine's electro-mechanical sensing technology, particularly in transportation and industrial monitoring applications.
• Ultra Electronics: Ultra Electronics is a UK-based defence and security electronics company that, like Findlay Irvine's bespoke defence division, supplies control and monitoring systems to the Royal Navy and other defence customers. It competes in the naval systems and bespoke defence engineering market.
• OTT HydroMet (formerly Lufft): OTT HydroMet (incorporating Lufft) is a global provider of road weather stations, environmental sensors, and meteorological measurement equipment. It competes with Findlay Irvine's Icelert and related weather monitoring products across road, airport, and industrial applications.

Direct peers

• Norsemeter: Norsemeter is a Norwegian manufacturer of friction testing devices including the ROAR (Road Analyser and Recorder) system, providing continuous friction measurement for roads and runways. It is a direct competitor to Findlay Irvine's GripTester MK2 in the Scandinavian and broader European markets.
• AEP Technology (Transversal): AEP Technology / Transversal designs and manufactures continuous friction measuring equipment for the highways and aviation industries, competing directly with Findlay Irvine's GripTester product line in the UK and international markets.
• Halliday Technologies: Halliday Technologies is a US-based manufacturer of portable and continuous friction testing equipment, including the RT3 Ride Tester for airport runway friction measurement, competing with Findlay Irvine in the airport CFME market.
• Dynatest: Dynatest is a leading manufacturer of pavement and friction testing equipment, including continuous friction measuring equipment for roads and runways. It is the most direct competitor to Findlay Irvine's GripTester MK2 in the airport and highway friction testing market globally.

Emerging players

• Perpetuum: Perpetuum provides wireless condition monitoring solutions for rail vehicles and trackside infrastructure. It is an emerging player in rail condition monitoring that overlaps with Findlay Irvine's rail monitoring portfolio, particularly for predictive maintenance applications.

Regional players

• Campbell Scientific: Campbell Scientific manufactures rugged data loggers, weather stations, and environmental monitoring systems used widely in road weather, rail, and infrastructure monitoring. Its CR series data loggers and weather stations compete with Findlay Irvine's Icelert and DCU390 product families, particularly in North American markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIdyyjbLFxuS7Eo33b7Z1hg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/findlayirvine
• Instagraminstagram.com/findlayirvine

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Findlay Irvine