Warrington

What Warrington does

Warrington, Inc. was a privately held Texas corporation that manufactured portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) lead-based paint analyzers and radiation detection instrumentation from 1981 until ceasing operations on December 31, 2009. Founded in Austin and headquartered in Pflugerville, TX, the company entered the lead-paint analyzer market in 1983 by acquiring manufacturing and service rights to the Texas Nuclear PB-3 analyzer and a line of radiation survey instruments previously marketed by Nuclear Chicago and Texas Nuclear. In 1985, after a two-year R&D program prompted by engagement with the CDC on childhood lead poisoning, Warrington introduced the microLEAD I, which became the company's flagship product and the basis for its installed base of more than 1,000 units across the United States. Over its 30-year operating history, the company's field-service activity covered more than 50,000 living units inspected under HUD regulations.

The core product, the microLEAD I (priced at $8,995), was a handheld XRF spectrometer using proprietary microcomputer software, K-shell detection physics, and high-resolution X-ray filtering to discriminate lead signals from substrate interference and penetrate 95%+ through 30 layers of paint. Warrington sold a "G" model variant approved for distribution under a general license in most states, removing the requirement for specific radioactive material licenses. Recurring revenue was generated through Cobalt-57 source replacement ($2,150 per service including NIST SRM 2579 calibration), annual maintenance agreements ($2,795), training services, accessories, and legacy support for XK-3 and PB3 analyzers. The company also sold a separate line of radiation detection instruments and offered third-party radiation survey meter calibration and repair.

Warrington operated a factory-direct sales model with no manufacturer's representatives or commissioned sales force, eliminating 25-35% in commission overhead versus competitors and offering 36-month lease-purchase plans at approximately $300/month to broaden buyer access. End customers were concentrated in HUD housing authorities, public health departments, U.S. military bases, and private inspection companies, with overseas distribution referenced. The company closed effective December 31, 2009, citing the departure of a 20-year senior engineer who simultaneously served as RSO, CEO, and President, combined with regulatory compliance costs for radioactive material licensing, the bankruptcy of primary supplier North American Scientific, Inc., and a fourfold increase in Cobalt-57 source pricing with limited availability.

Name

Warrington

Legal name

Warrington, Inc.

Website

https://warringtonusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Warrington, Inc. was a Pflugerville, Texas manufacturer of portable XRF lead-based paint analyzers (microLEAD I) and radiation detection instruments, serving HUD housing authorities, public health departments, military bases, and private inspection companies from 1981 until ceasing operations December 31, 2009.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Analytical Instruments

NAICS

Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (334517)

SIC

X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPALALAD

Asbestos/Lead/Mold Inspection, Testing & Consulting

Business & Public Services/Waste Management & Remediation Services/Asbestos, Lead & Mold Abatement Services

Keywords

• Lead paint analyzers
• XRF spectrometry instruments
• Radiation detection equipment
• Portable lead testing
• Paint inspection instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Pflugerville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. XRF Lead Paint Analyzer Sales: One-time hardware sales of the microLEAD I XRF analyzer at $8,995 per unit. The company sold directly to housing authorities, health departments, military bases, and private inspection companies. Over 1,000 units were in operation in the U.S.
2. Maintenance and Service Contracts: Annual maintenance agreements providing source replacement, leak test certificates, NIST calibration, disposal of depleted sources, and extended warranty with priority service for $2,795.
3. Cobalt-57 Source Replacement: Recurring source replacement service including leak test certificate, calibration to NIST Standard Reference Material 2579, and disposal of depleted source for $2,150.
4. Training Services: Factory training included with analyzer purchase for up to three trainees. On-site training available at $1,000 per day plus travel expenses. Additional trainees at $100 each.
5. Accessories and Supplies: Sales of accessories including printer cables, desktop printers, NIST SRM 2579 reference standards, and shipping/handling services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Warrington, Inc. manufactured and sold portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) lead-based paint analyzers (the microLEAD I product family) used to detect lead in paint on building materials. The company also produced radiation detection instruments and offered related services including source replacement, calibration, training, and survey meter repair. Operations ceased on December 31, 2009.

Product overview

Warrington, Inc. was a single-product-focused company offering the microLEAD I family of portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) lead-based paint analyzers. The core product line centered on the microLEAD I - Revision 4, a handheld XRF spectrometer priced at $8,995, available in both specifically licensed and generally licensed ('G' model) variants. The company operated a product-plus-services model, with add-on modules including maintenance agreements ($2,795), Cobalt 57 source replacements ($2,150), calibration standards, printer interfaces, and training services. Legacy support was provided for XK-3 and PB3 analyzers. The company also manufactured radiation detection instruments and offered calibration/repair services for radiation survey meters. The company ceased operations on December 31, 2009.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• microLEAD I - Revision 4 Portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) lead-based paint analyzer using proprietary microcomputer software with high resolution X-ray filtering technology and K-shell detection to discriminate lead signals from substrate interference and penetrate deeply buried lead-based paint. Priced at $8,995.
• microLEAD I (S) - Generally Licensed Model A variant of the microLEAD I configured for distribution under a general license, eliminating the need for specific radioactive material licenses in most states and saving customers license fees.
• Radiation Detection Instruments A line of radiation detection instruments manufactured by the company for various applications, originally acquired from Nuclear Chicago and Texas Nuclear in 1983.
• Maintenance Agreement Annual service package including source replacement, leak test certificate, calibration to NIST Standard Reference Material 2579, disposal of depleted source, and one year Extended Warranty with Priority Service. Priced at $2,795 per year.
• Cobalt-57 Source Replacement Source replacement service including leak test certificate, calibration to NIST Standard Reference Material 2579, and disposal of depleted source. Priced at $2,150.
• Radiation Survey Meter Calibration and Repair Calibration and repair services for most makes of radiation survey meters.
• Training Services Factory-run user training covering theory of operation, radiation safety practices, testing procedures, and hands-on experience. Included with purchase for up to three trainees; on-site training available for travel expenses plus fees.
• XK-3 Analyzer Source Replacement and Maintenance Source replacements and maintenance contracts for owners of XK-3 analyzers (legacy product).
• PB3 Analyzer Source Replacement and Maintenance Source replacements and maintenance contracts for owners of PB3 analyzers (legacy product acquired in 1983).

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Oxford Instruments: Produces handheld XRF analyzers (X-MET) for alloy identification, lead-in-paint testing, and environmental screening, serving industrial hygiene and compliance customers with similar use cases to Warrington.
• Bruker: Manufactures portable and laboratory XRF analyzers used across lead-paint inspection, environmental screening, and metals analysis; directly comparable in technology stack (XRF), target customers (housing authorities, inspectors), and product positioning to the microLEAD I.
• Mirion Technologies: Acquired Canberra Industries and other radiation detection specialists; overlaps with Warrington's radiation survey meter line and calibration/repair services for nuclear and industrial customers.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Niton XRF): Acquired Niton in 2012 to anchor its handheld XRF analyzer portfolio, directly competing in portable lead-in-paint analyzers targeting HUD inspectors, health departments, and environmental consultants—the same core customer base as Warrington's microLEAD I.
• SPECTRO Analytical Instruments: Manufacturer of XRF and optical emission spectrometers including portable models for environmental and lead-in-paint screening; overlaps with Warrington on field-deployed XRF detection for regulated inspection workflows.
• Innov-X Systems (now part of Thermo Fisher): Pre-acquisition Innov-X was a direct handheld XRF competitor to the microLEAD I in lead-paint and environmental testing, with overlapping government and inspection customers before consolidation into Thermo Fisher.
• Hitachi High-Tech (formerly SII/Oxford XRF): Sells X-MET and related portable XRF analyzers that compete head-to-head with the microLEAD I for lead-based paint inspection in housing and facility compliance applications.

Emerging players

• Elvatech: Specializes in portable and benchtop XRF analyzers for lead-in-paint, RoHS, and environmental testing; competes in the same niche inspection segment but with a smaller installed base and more limited service network than Warrington's U.S. footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Rigaku: Major analytical instrument maker with XRF and XRD product lines serving environmental and materials analysis customers; broader portfolio than Warrington but overlaps on regulated lead and metals screening applications.
• HORIBA Scientific: Diversified scientific instrument manufacturer with XRF and spectroscopy products used for elemental analysis including environmental lead testing; comparable in detection technology though broader in end markets than Warrington.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/warrington-inc

Compliance3 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 Warrington