Panel Systems

What Panel Systems does

Panel Systems is a Sheffield-based, privately-held UK manufacturer and distributor of insulated building products, CNC machined panels, and architectural facade solutions, founded in 1974 and operating as Panel Systems Limited (Company No. 01179701). The company's core offering centres on Ravatherm extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation, which it distributes under a recognised agreement with Ravago Building Solutions, supplemented by Larcore aluminium honeycomb and ThermHex polypropylene honeycomb lightweight sandwich panels. Its product portfolio spans thermal insulation boards (Styrofloor, Styroloft, Styropool, Styroliner, MultiLiner), glazing and architectural panels (Styroglaze, Aluglaze, Alupanel, FR-A non-combustible), and bespoke CNC machining services using four routers including two 5-axis machines with CAD/CAM design support and tolerances as tight as +/- 0.25mm after sanding.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market combining a self-service e-commerce storefront (shop.panelsystems.co.uk) for standard products like Craftfoam, phone-based direct sales for bespoke projects, and trade account arrangements with net-end-of-month payment terms for B2B buyers. Customer segments are diversified across building and construction, refrigerated transport and logistics, vehicle manufacturing (commercial vehicles, trains, caravans), marine, furniture manufacturing, and craft/modelling, with end-use cases ranging from floor and roof insulation to refrigerated vehicle sandwich panels and architectural facades. Distribution is primarily domestic UK via courier and pallet networks with surcharge structures across more than 30 postcode prefixes, complemented by a claimed worldwide distribution capability.

The company has remained bootstrapped and independent throughout its 50+ year history, holding ISO 9001 quality management certification, FSC chain-of-custody certification, and accreditations from Investors in People, Made in Sheffield, Make UK, and CAB. It owns two registered trademarks (Styrofloor and Revostage) and operates Revostage, a wholly-owned brand for patented portable modular staging. With a stated headcount of 1-10 employees, Panel Systems functions as a lean, specification-driven specialist manufacturer competing on material performance, fabrication precision, and supplier relationships rather than scale.

Name

Panel Systems

Legal name

Panel Systems Limited

Website

https://panelsystems.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Panel Systems is a Sheffield-based UK manufacturer and distributor, founded in 1974, specialising in Ravatherm XPS insulation, lightweight honeycomb sandwich panels, bespoke CNC machining, and architectural facade products serving construction, transport, marine, and manufacturing sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheffield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Insulated Building Products Sales: Direct sales of insulated building products including Ravatherm XPS sheets, thermal insulation boards, floor/wall/roof insulation, and specialty insulation products for swimming pools, refrigerated vehicles, and industrial applications.
2. CNC Machined Panels and Fabricated Products: Custom CNC machining services for laminated panels, honeycomb panels, and bespoke fabricated products. Includes CAD design services and precision cutting to customer specifications.
3. E-commerce Product Sales: Online shop sales through shop.panelsystems.co.uk with payment taken at order placement. Products sold online include Craftfoam, insulation sheets, and standard panel products.
4. Trade and Business Account Sales: B2B sales to business customers with credit account options. Normal payment terms are 'net end of month following date of invoice'. Caters to bespoke project specifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Panel Systems manufactures and supplies insulated building products, CNC machined panels, and architectural panels based primarily on Ravatherm XPS extruded polystyrene insulation. The company provides a comprehensive range of thermal insulation products (Styrofloor, Styropool, Styroliner, MultiLiner), glazing and architectural panels, lightweight composite sandwich panels (Larcore aluminium honeycomb, ThermHex polypropylene honeycomb), external cladding, and bespoke CNC machining and fabrication services serving construction, transportation, marine, and industrial sectors.

Product overview

Panel Systems is a UK-based manufacturer and supplier of insulated building products, CNC machined panels, architectural panels, and external cladding. The product portfolio centers around Ravatherm XPS extruded polystyrene insulation materials (formerly Styrofoam) offered in various forms including sheets, blocks, and specialized grades for flooring, roofing, and refrigerated transport applications. The company provides a comprehensive range of thermal insulation products (Styrofloor, Styroloft, Styropool, Styroliner, MultiLiner), glazing and architectural panels (A2 Non-Combustible Glazing Panels, Styroglaze, Aluglaze, Alupanel), lightweight composite panels (Larcore aluminium honeycomb, ThermHex polypropylene honeycomb, Lightweight Sandwich Panels), CNC machining services, external cladding solutions, and Craftfoam modelling materials. The company operates with a bespoke manufacturing approach, offering custom cutting, CNC machining, and fabrication services alongside standard product lines, serving construction, transportation, marine, and industrial sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Revostage: A portable lightweight staging system based on a patented telescopic riser support and structural stage platform.

Products and services

• Ravatherm XPS X Sheets Extruded polystyrene insulation sheets renowned for exceptional thermal performance, high compressive strength, and low water absorption, supplied in custom thicknesses via hot-wire cutting. Used by specifiers across construction, refrigerated transport, and industrial applications.
• Fibran XPS Sheets Hot-wire cut Fibran extruded polystyrene sheets available in any thickness, with CNC machined components supplied. Used in construction, fabrication, and OEM applications.
• Styrofloor Insulated flooring panel using 18mm p5 moisture resistant chipboard bonded to Ravatherm XPS for residential and commercial floor insulation in new build and refurbishment projects, including conservatories and conversions.
• Ravatherm XPS X Under Slab Floor Insulation Extruded polystyrene insulation designed for below concrete flooring applications, providing thermal performance and high compressive strength for under-slab installations.
• Ravatherm XPS X Inverted Roof Insulation Extruded polystyrene (XPS X 300 SL) designed to insulate flat roofs, installed above the waterproof layer as inverted roof construction.
• Styropool Swimming pool insulation made from Ravatherm XPS, available in three grades of compressive strength to meet needs of a wide range of swimming pool types and depths.
• Ravatherm XPS X Plus RTM for Refrigerated Vehicles High-performance extruded polystyrene core material specified for sandwich panels in walls, roofs and floors of refrigerated vehicles, cold stores, and containers.
• Styroliner Factory-bonded Ravatherm XPS extruded polystyrene to plasterboard forming a simple, cost-effective, easy-to-install insulated wall panel solution for residential and commercial buildings.
• Styrowall Lightweight water-resistant decorative XPS-based panel designed for use in shower areas and other wet internal wall applications.
• Styroloft Loft insulation boards that combine thermal insulation with a robust walkable/storage surface for contractors and home renovators, reducing heat loss through the loft space.
• MultiLiner Versatile A1 fire-rated, weather-resistant panel suitable for semi-exposed soffit and roof upstand applications, providing non-combustible insulation performance.
• Craftfoam Versatile extruded polystyrene modelling foam for model making, hobbies, war gaming, floral, product design, art and prototype work; available in 600x600mm and 1200x600mm sheets.
• A2 Non-Combustible Glazing Panels (FR-A) FR-A non-combustible glazing infill panels for Architects, Specifiers and Developers, compliant with UK Building Regulations; suitable for spandrel panels for windows and curtain walling for buildings over 11m high.
• Styroglaze Insulated infill panel comprising plastisol steel bonded to a core of Ravatherm XPS, providing a cost-effective pre-finished insulated panel for glazing systems.
• Aluglaze FR Insulated infill panel with powder coated or anodised aluminium faces and an insulated core of lamella mineral fibre; specified for window infill and curtain walling applications that require a non-combustible core.
• Alupanel Powder-coated aluminium faced panels with a Ravatherm XPS insulated core, typically used in low-rise domestic window infill applications.
• Pressed and Perforated Metalwork Fabricated pressed and perforated metal components for architectural applications, supplied to bespoke customer requirements leveraging over 45 years of experience.
• Lightweight Sandwich Panels Lightweight sandwich panels for multiple end uses with a complete bespoke range of facing and core material options, used in transport, marine, and industrial applications.
• Bespoke Sandwich Panels Bespoke manufacturing services for custom sandwich panel requirements, offering custom core materials, facings, and dimensions for OEM and industrial customers.
• CNC Machined Laminate and Panels CNC machining service for laminate and panels with 3-axis and full 5-axis 3D capability, supported by a skilled CAD/CAM design team; four CNC routers including two 5-axis machines, with tolerances of +/- 0.5mm standard and +/- 0.25mm with sanding.
• External Cladding External cladding fabrication services supplying projects throughout the UK, distributing brands including Equitone fibre cement, Rockpanel recycled basalt cladding, and Trespa decorative panels.
• Larcore Aluminium Honeycomb Lightweight, rigid aluminium honeycomb panels designed for demanding applications including rail transport, marine, facades, cladding, automotive, aviation, engineering and industrial use; A2 Reaction to Fire classification.
• ThermHex Polypropylene Honeycomb Polypropylene honeycomb core material for lightweight sandwich panels and wet lay up GRP components, providing rigidity, strength and lightweight qualities (up to 85% weight savings vs MDF/plywood).
• Revostage Modular, portable lightweight staging system based on a patented telescopic riser support and structural stage platform; marketed under the Revostage wholly-owned sub-brand.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ravatherm XPS thermal conductivity as low as 0.031 W/m.K
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ravago Building SolutionscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPanel Systems is a recognised distributor of Ravatherm XPS, an extruded polystyrene insulation manufactured by Ravago Building Solutions (formerly Dow Chemical). Ravatherm XPS is a core product line for Panel Systems' insulation and sandwich panel manufacturing.
• EquitoneminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPanel Systems supplies Equitone facade cladding boards as part of their external cladding product offerings. Equitone is a brand of fibre cement facade panels.
• RockpanelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPanel Systems supplies Rockpanel architectural cladding panels. Rockpanel is a brand of sustainable facade cladding made from recycled basalt fibres.
• TrespaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPanel Systems supplies Trespa cladding products. Trespa is a brand of high-quality decorative panels for architectural facade applications.
• LarcorecoreTechnology or IntegrationLarcore aluminium honeycomb panels are manufactured through a continuous process and supplied to Panel Systems for use in sandwich panel constructions for transport, marine, and industrial applications.
• ThermHexcoreTechnology or IntegrationThermHex polypropylene honeycomb core is a patented material used in Panel Systems' lightweight sandwich panels for automotive, transport, and industrial applications.
• FibranminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPanel Systems supplies Fibran XPS sheets, hot-wire cut to customer specifications, as part of their extruded polystyrene product range.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Armacell: Global manufacturer of flexible foam insulation and engineered foams (including PET and polyolefin foams) for industrial, transport, and building applications. Comparable in lightweight engineered foam panels and sandwich core materials.

Broad incumbents

• Kingspan Group: Ireland-headquartered global leader in insulated panels, rigid insulation boards, and building envelope solutions. Directly comparable as a manufacturer of insulated wall/roof panels and high-performance rigid foam insulation, though far larger and more diversified than Panel Systems.
• Rockwool: Global stone wool insulation manufacturer with non-combustible facade cladding solutions (Rockpanel). Comparable in non-combustible cladding panel category and UK building-regulation-led specification business.
• Celotex: UK-based PIR insulation board manufacturer (Saint-Gobain group) supplying thermal insulation for floors, walls, roofs, and tapered roofing systems. Comparable end-product family though different chemistry (PIR vs XPS).

Direct peers

• Recticel: Belgian manufacturer of rigid foam insulation (including XPS and PIR) and finished insulated panels for construction and industrial applications. Closely comparable product set (rigid foam insulation boards, sandwich panels) and similar target verticals.
• Unilin Insulation: Manufacturer of PIR and XPS rigid insulation boards and insulated panel systems serving UK and European construction markets. Directly comparable in XPS board product range and channel-to-trades distribution.
• Quinn Building Products: UK and Ireland-based manufacturer of insulated building products including PIR insulation boards and insulated panel systems. Comparable product range and regional focus, particularly in the UK and Irish construction market.

Others

• Ravago Building Solutions: Parent supplier of Ravatherm XPS (formerly Dow Chemical Styrofoam). Comparable as the upstream manufacturer of the core raw material Panel Systems distributes; a relationship disruption would be a structural event for Panel Systems.
• ThermoHex: Manufacturer of patented polypropylene honeycomb cores used as lightweight sandwich panel cores. Direct technology partner to Panel Systems and a comparable producer of the same core material technology.

Regional players

• Filon Panels (Bradford Factor): UK-based manufacturer of GRP (glass reinforced polyester) and insulated roofing and cladding panels. Comparable as a UK regional specialist in composite insulated panels for construction and transport.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/panelsystemsuk
• Facebookfacebook.com/157906864295215
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/composite-panel-systems-ltd

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

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 Panel Systems