What 1st Horizon does

1st Horizon is a UK-based multidisciplinary surveying, mapping, and measurement company founded in 2006 by Managing Director Jim Garside. Headquartered in Dodworth, Barnsley, the firm operates as a private limited company with 11-50 employees and has announced plans to transition to an Employee-Owned Trust. Its core technology stack centres on 3D laser scanning (using FARO Focus Premium, Freestyle 2, Quantum S MAX, and Vantage Laser Tracker equipment), CAD/BIM modelling (AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, MicroStation), Ground Penetrating Radar for utility detection, UAV/drone photogrammetry, and thermal imaging. The company also operates a proprietary inverted 3D scanning technique for confined-space measurement that eliminates man-entry requirements.

The company operates across five service divisions: Measurement (3D laser scanning, CAD/BIM, land surveys, inspection, utility surveys, CCTV/drainage, aerial surveys, reverse engineering), Environmental (ground investigation, ecology, flood risk, noise/acoustic, air quality, arboriculture, transport, archaeology/heritage), Digital (IoT, smart assets, estate management, digital twin, technology aggregation), Equipment (FARO metrology distribution, 3D survey equipment supply, equipment hire with optional operator, training, consultancy), and Construction (groundworks, refit/refurbishment, fit-out, minor construction works, steel-framed structures, design and build). It serves enterprise clients across construction, manufacturing, utilities, public sector, shipbuilding, heritage, and higher education, with operations spanning the UK and international projects in Norway, Russia, Italy, Germany, France, and Egypt.

1st Horizon generates revenue primarily through project-based professional services fees, with additional recurring streams from long-term framework agreements (notably the 8-year Build Higher Framework with the University of Birmingham) and usage-based equipment hire. Equipment distribution of FARO metrology products and structured training courses (as FARO Europe UK training partner) provide supplementary revenue. The go-to-market is direct B2B sales-led with field engagement, supported by a content-marketing-led website, case studies, and selective industry event participation. Sole-recommended FARO partnership status since 2010 provides a unique equipment and training channel advantage within the UK 3D laser scanning market.

Name

1st Horizon

Legal name

1ST HORIZON

Website

https://1sth.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

1st Horizon is a UK-based multidisciplinary surveying, mapping, and measurement firm providing 3D laser scanning, CAD/BIM, utility detection, environmental, digital twin, equipment hire, and construction services to enterprise and public-sector clients across construction, manufacturing, utilities, higher education, and shipbuilding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dodworth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Surveying Services: Core revenue stream from delivering measurement, environmental, and technical consulting services. Includes 3D laser scanning, land surveys, utility surveys, environmental assessments, and construction supervision. Project-based fees with services delivered to construction, manufacturing, utilities, and public sector clients.
2. Equipment Hire: Rental of FARO 3D laser scanners (Focus Premium 70, Focus Premium 150, Freestyle 2), Quantum S MAX 2.5-4.0m scan arms, and Vantage Laser Trackers. Includes optional operator services for clients requiring expert facilitation.
3. Training & Consultancy: FARO Europe UK training partner providing structured 1-2 day courses for novice/intermediate operatives and bespoke advanced training packages. Consultancy services for workflow optimization and project-specific challenges.
4. Framework & Long-term Contracts: Multi-year framework agreements with institutional clients such as the 8-year Build Higher Framework with the University of Birmingham for BIM and geometric modeling services, providing predictable revenue streams.
5. Equipment Distribution: UK distribution of FARO metrology products including measurement arms and related equipment, serving manufacturing, shipbuilding, nuclear, aerospace, and automotive industries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

1st Horizon is a multidisciplinary surveying, mapping, and measurement firm delivering professional services across five divisions: Measurement (3D laser scanning, CAD/BIM, land surveys, inspection, utility surveys, CCTV drainage, aerial surveys, reverse engineering), Environmental (ground investigation, ecology, flood risk, noise, air quality, arboriculture, transport, archaeology), Digital (IoT, smart assets, estate management, digital twins, technology aggregation), Equipment (FARO metrology supply, 3D survey equipment, equipment hire with operator option, training, consultancy), and Construction (groundworks, refurbishment, fit-out, minor civils, steel-framed structures, design & build). Services are delivered nationally and globally to enterprise and public sector clients.

Product overview

1st Horizon is a multidisciplinary service aggregator and technical consultancy providing professional services across five distinct divisions: Measurement (3D laser scanning, CAD/BIM, land surveys, inspection, utility surveys, CCTV drainage, aerial surveys, reverse engineering), Environmental (ground investigation, ecology surveys, flood risk, noise/acoustic, air quality, arboriculture, transport, archaeology/heritage), Digital (I.O.T., smart assets, estate management, digital twin, technology aggregation), Equipment (metrology equipment supply/distribution, 3D survey equipment supply, equipment hire, hire with operator, training, consultancy), and Construction (groundworks, refit/refurbishment, fit-out/alterations, minor construction works, steel-framed structures, design & build). The company operates as a single unified service offering with coordinated project delivery across complementary disciplines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3D Laser Scanning Non-contact 3D data capture using terrestrial laser scanners to produce point clouds, 3D models, BIM data, and detailed documentation for construction, engineering, heritage, and industrial applications.
• CAD / BIM Computer-aided design and Building Information Modelling services producing 2D drawings, 3D CAD models, parametric BIM models, and industrial architectural models from scan data.
• Land Surveys Topographic, measured building, and land surveys providing XYZ positions, terrain data, and surface feature details for construction, rail, and infrastructure projects.
• Inspection Precision metrology and inspection services using FARO arms, laser trackers, and gauges for part verification, alignment, quality control, and machine calibration.
• Utility Surveys Underground utility detection and mapping using GPR, electromagnetic locating, RFL equipment, and vacuum excavation to identify water, gas, electricity, and telecommunications networks.
• CCTV & Drainage Drainage and sewer inspection services using push-rod cameras, crawlers, and water jetting to assess pipe condition and identify blockages or damage.
• Aerial Surveys Drone-based surveys capturing high-resolution imagery, video, 3D point clouds, terrain models, and LIDAR data for large-area mapping and inspection.
• Reverse Engineering 3D scanning and modelling services to capture existing components and produce parametric CAD models, surface meshes, and NURBS surfaces for reverse engineering applications.
• Ground Investigation Site investigation services including trial pitting, boreholes, sampling, and laboratory testing to assess ground conditions for construction and development projects.
• Ecology Survey Ecological assessments and species surveys including bats, badgers, birds, dormice, great crested newts, otters, and water voles for planning applications.
• Flood Risk Flood risk assessments and sustainable drainage strategies to support planning proposals and development projects.
• Noise & Acoustic Noise and acoustic surveys for planning applications, providing bespoke assessment solutions for residential and commercial developments.
• Air Quality Air quality surveys, monitoring solutions, and desk-based assessments evaluating indoor and outdoor environments for proposed developments.
• Arboriculture Tree surveys compliant with BS5837, providing tree constraints plans and arboricultural method statements for planning applications.
• Transport Transport assessments and statements evaluating potential impacts of developments on transport movements and sustainable development.
• Archaeology & Heritage Heritage assessments, archaeological evaluations, geophysical surveys, and watching briefs for investigating designated and non-designated heritage assets.
• I.O.T. (Internet of Things) IoT solutions and sensor integration for smart asset management and monitoring.
• Smart Assets Technology-driven asset management solutions using digital systems for monitoring and managing physical assets.
• Estate Management Smart building management services for monitoring and optimising estate operations.
• Digital Twin Digital twin creation and management services providing virtual replicas of physical assets, buildings, and infrastructure for ongoing analysis and management.
• Technology Aggregation Integration of multiple technologies and data sources to provide comprehensive digital solutions.
• Metrology Equipment UK distribution of FARO metrology products including measurement arms, laser trackers, and gauges for precision measurement in manufacturing and industrial applications.
• 3D Survey Equipment Supply of 3D laser scanning equipment including terrestrial, handheld, and mobile devices for reality capture and survey applications.
• Equipment Hire Rental of FARO 3D laser scanners including FARO Focus Premium 70 and 150, Freestyle 2, and Vantage laser trackers with nationwide delivery.
• Hire With Operator Equipment rental services accompanied by experienced operators for data capture projects.
• 3D Scanner Training Training services for 3D laser scanning equipment, delivered at client sites or company facilities, as a FARO Europe UK training partner.
• Consultancy Bespoke technical consultancy and training for intermediate and advanced users to solve project-specific challenges.
• Groundworks Construction groundwork services including drainage, foundations, and excavations for commercial schemes.
• Refit / Refurbishment Building refurbishment and refit services for commercial premises and historic buildings.
• Fit-out / Alterations Building fit-out, alterations, and extensions for small to medium-scale projects.
• Minor Construction Works Small-scale construction projects typically under £1m including hardstanding, breakouts, fencing, landscaping, steelwork, and concrete slabs.
• Steel-Framed Structures Steel-framed structure design and construction services.
• Design & Build Integrated design and build contractor services for construction projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced man-hours on site through rapid 3D measurement
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 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

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• University of BirminghamflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Awarded 8-year framework agreement as preferred supplier for geometric and BIM modeling services under the Build Higher Framework. Partnership aimed at campus-wide BIM implementation, digital twin, and smart campus initiatives. The framework serves Higher Education and Foundation Education institutions for construction, design, and surveying services.
• FARO EuropecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2010Strategic partnership established in 2010 designating 1st Horizon as FARO's sole recommended service, training, and hire partner for the 3D laser scanning market in the UK. 1st Horizon is recognized as a FARO Europe UK training partner for both AEC & Metrology Systems. Company distributes FARO metrology products including Focus scanners, Quantum scan arms, and Vantage laser trackers.
• Build Higher Framework (Higher Education Sector)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative framework including Higher Education and Foundation Education institutions utilizing 1st Horizon for approved supplier services. The framework was established to build longer-term relationships with key contractors and consultants providing construction, design, and surveying services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Met Consultancy Group: Met Consultancy Group provides surveying, engineering, environmental, and project-related technical services. Its multidisciplinary delivery model and construction-client exposure are comparable to 1st Horizon's service-aggregation strategy.
• Malcolm Hughes: Malcolm Hughes provides land and building surveys, utility mapping, laser scanning, BIM, and monitoring services. The company overlaps substantially with 1st Horizon's measurement and infrastructure-surveying activities.
• Greenhatch Group: Greenhatch Group offers measured surveys, utility mapping, geospatial services, BIM, laser scanning, and rail surveying. It is directly comparable to 1st Horizon in combining spatial measurement and engineering support for infrastructure and built-environment projects.
• Plowman Craven: Plowman Craven provides land and measured building surveys, laser scanning, BIM, utilities, geospatial engineering, and digital construction services. Its multidisciplinary construction-focused offering closely overlaps 1st Horizon's measurement, BIM, and infrastructure capabilities.
• Survey Solutions: Survey Solutions offers topographic, measured-building, utility, rail, and monitoring surveys, as well as survey-equipment hire. These services, customers, and project-based delivery model closely align with 1st Horizon's core surveying business.
• Landform Surveys: Landform Surveys provides topographic, utility, measured-building, aerial, and 3D laser-scanning services. Its end-to-end surveying proposition and construction-sector customer base make it a close operating peer to 1st Horizon.
• Murphy Geospatial: Murphy Geospatial delivers land, building, and utility surveys alongside GIS, laser scanning, monitoring, and drone mapping. It is directly comparable to 1st Horizon in serving construction, infrastructure, engineering, and public-sector customers with integrated geospatial services.
• Severn Partnership: Severn Partnership provides utility detection, drainage, topographical and measured surveys, GIS, and 3D measurement services. It directly competes with 1st Horizon across utility mapping, land surveying, and spatial data capture.

Others

• FARO Technologies: FARO Technologies provides 3D laser-scanning and metrology hardware, software, and training used extensively by 1st Horizon. It is an enabling technology supplier and ecosystem participant rather than a like-for-like surveying-services competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: Hexagon supplies laser scanners, laser trackers, dimensional-metrology systems, and associated software used in manufacturing and construction. It is a broad incumbent overlapping with 1st Horizon's measurement workflows, equipment ecosystem, and digital-twin ambitions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/1st_horizon
• Facebookfacebook.com/1sthorizon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 1st Horizon