What Geofire does

Geofire is a UK-based manufacturer of electromagnetic fire door safety products, founded in 1972 and headquartered in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. It operates as a subsidiary of Stephenson Gobin within the British Engines Group, and sells its products under three principal ranges: Agrippa (acoustic wire-free 'listen and learn' door holders, closers, and pillow alarms), Salamander (radio-controlled, 868 MHz wire-free system with a central controller managing up to 99 devices), and a portfolio of traditional hard-wired door holders, closers, smoke vent winches, and accessories. All products are designed and manufactured in-house, with production now spanning a UK facility and the SG India facility in Bangalore following a 2024 expansion.

The company's core technology is its proprietary Agrippa 'listen and learn' digital acoustic recognition system, which learns the specific frequency profile of a building's fire alarm and triggers door release only on that signature, materially reducing false activations. This is protected by European Patent No 1799944 and UK Patent GB 2507582. Products meet EN1155 and EN1154 standards, are CE marked, conform to BS7273-4 Category A and B actuation requirements, and address compliance with the Equality Act 2010 by enabling legally compliant hold-open fire doors in accessibility-critical environments.

Geofire operates a distribution-led go-to-market model. Acoustic Agrippa products are sold through authorised distributors such as Safelincs, Fire Door Controls, Cranford Controls, IST Supplies, and Screwfix, while Salamander radio-controlled systems require certified installers (e.g., AKD Fire & Security, Bryland Fire Protection, Pyrocel) due to the need for radio surveys and fire alarm integration. The customer base is verticalised across care homes, healthcare, education, hotels, local authorities, commercial offices, maritime, and airports, with named deployments at the National Library of Wales, Citadines Prestige Trafalgar Square, Fairfax Academy, Blenheim High School, Hampshire Care Home, and Golden Lane Housing. Internationally, distribution reaches Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, UAE, and India. The company earns revenue through unit hardware sales to distributors and installers; pricing is not publicly disclosed, and there is no subscription, SaaS, or service-revenue component evident in the data.

Name

Geofire

Legal name

Geofire

Website

https://www.geofire.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Geofire is a UK-based manufacturer of electromagnetic fire door holders, closers, and accessibility fire safety products under the Agrippa (acoustic), Salamander (radio-controlled), and hard-wired brands, serving care homes, healthcare, education, hotels, and public sector customers primarily through authorised distributors and certified installers since 1972.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire Safety Hardware

NAICS

Security Systems Services (56162)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire Door, Firestop & Passive Fire Protection Inspection/Installation (IMAIAJAJ)

Keywords

• Fire door holders
• Fire door closers
• Electromagnetic fire safety
• Acoustic fire alarm devices
• Radio controlled door systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Bishop Auckland

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fire Safety Hardware Sales: Geofire generates revenue through the sale of electromagnetic fire door holders, fire door closers, and related accessories. Products are sold through a network of distributors and approved installers. The company manufactures all products in-house at its UK facility.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Geofire manufactures and distributes electromagnetic fire door holders, fire door closers, and activation devices. Its portfolio spans three solution types: Agrippa (wire-free sound-activated products using proprietary 'listen and learn' technology), Salamander (wire-free radio-controlled products using 868 MHz signals), and traditional hard-wired electromagnetic door holders and closers. All products are designed and manufactured in-house at the company's Bishop Auckland facility.

Product overview

Geofire manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of fire door holders, fire door closers, and activation devices organized into three solution types: Acoustic/Agrippa (wire-free sound activated products using 'listen and learn' technology), Salamander Radio Controlled (wire-free products using 868 MHz radio frequency connected to central controller), and Hard-Wired (traditional wired products). The core product lines include the Agrippa range comprising sound activated fire door holders, fire door closers, and pillow alarms for accessibility; the Salamander range including radio controlled fire door holders, fire door closers, and central controller/booster; and various hard-wired door holders, door closers, and smoke vent winches. All products are designed and manufactured in-house at their UK facility, with recent expansion to SG India manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Agrippa: Wire-free acoustic sound activated fire door holders and closers that use 'listen and learn' technology to recognise specific fire alarm sounds. Includes fire door holders, door closers, and vibrating pillow alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing.
• Salamander
• Deaf Alert

Products and services

• Agrippa Sound Activated Fire Door Holder Wire-free magnetic fire door holder powered by two C cell batteries that uses 'listen and learn' technology to hold fire doors open and release them on detection of a specific fire alarm sound.
• Agrippa Sound Activated Fire Door Closer Battery-powered overhead door closer with 'listen and learn' technology, free-swing mode, adjustable closing speed, and daily timed release.
• Agrippa Pillow Fire Alarm Battery-powered wire-free pillow alarm for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Vibrates, flashes LEDs, and displays 'FIRE' on an LCD screen when the specific fire alarm sound is detected.
• Deaf Alert Home Pillow Alarm Vibrating pillow alarm designed for deaf and hard of hearing individuals that triggers vibration, high-intensity LED flash, and LCD 'FIRE' display when the building fire alarm sounds.
• Salamander Radio Controlled Fire Door Holder Battery-powered magnetic fire door holder controlled by 868 MHz radio signals from a central controller. Holds fire doors open and releases them on receipt of a fire alarm signal. Suitable for doors up to power size 5 (1250mm, 100kg).
• Salamander Radio Controlled Fire Door Closer Radio-controlled fire door closer with free-swing and fixed holding modes. Suitable for doors up to power size 3 (950mm, 60kg). Holds fire doors open and safely closes them in event of fire alarm.
• Salamander Controller and Booster Central controller for the Salamander radio-controlled system. Controls up to 99 wire-free door holders/closers on 868 MHz radio frequency. Booster extends range by up to 40m, with up to 8 boosters per installation.
• Doormouse Fire Door Holder Hard-wired surface-mounted fire door holder with integral manual release button. Available in 24 Vdc or 230 Vac, with 200N and 500N holding force options.
• Conquest Fire Door Holder Hard-wired fire door holder built on a standard electrical back box with integral release button and adjustable keeper plate. Available in 24 Vdc or 230 Vac supply voltage.
• Floor Mounted Fire Door Holder Robust floor-mounted fire door holder with rugged cast aluminum housing for applications requiring protection against vandalism or accidental damage. Available in 200N or 500N holding force.
• Decorative Fire Door Holder Hard-wired decorative fire door holder available in bright chrome, lacquered brass, and stainless steel finishes, suited for prestigious installations such as hotels and offices.
• Universal Fire Door Holder Versatile fire door holder for floor, wall, or ceiling mounting. Available in 500N or 1000N holding force with a steel stand and moulded cover.
• Weatherproof Fire Door Holder IP65 weatherproof fire door holder for outdoor and maritime applications with 1200N holding force, zinc-plated steel construction. Available in 24 Vdc and 230 Vac models.
• Standard Door Closer Conventional door closer for commercial or residential use with adjustable closing and latching speed, power size 3, suitable for doors weighing 40-65kg.
• Smoke Vent Winch 230V powered smoke vent winch with 1400N closing force for automatically opening roof vents in large buildings. Slim-line design with 24V brake for fail-safe operation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Battery life of 12 months for Agrippa products using two C cell batteries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stephenson GobincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Stephenson Gobin is the parent company of Geofire. It is a global leader in the design and manufacture of engineered electromagnetic braking and clutch systems, supporting industrial applications including intralogistics, robotics, medical technology, renewable energy, and general industrial machinery. Geofire forms part of the British Engines Group.
• Rakesh Patnaik (Head of Sales and Business Development, British Engines India)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRakesh Patnaik joined Stephenson Gobin (Geofire's parent) as Head of Sales and Business Development for British Engines India. He brings 20 years of experience across automation, material handling, crane and hoist, medical, steel, wind, and power sectors, with 10 years dedicated to developing the Indian market for brakes and clutches.
• AKD Fire and SecuritycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved Salamander installer based in Cumbria, accredited by BAFE SP203-1 for fire alarm systems design, installation and maintenance, and SSAIB for security alarms, access control and CCTV. NICEIC approved electrical contractor.
• Safelincs LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK's most progressive and customer focused fire safety provider offering over 4000 products and services in UK, Ireland, Germany, France and Italy. Award-winning customer service team distributing Geofire products.
• Pyrocel Fire and SecuritycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading fire and security provider established in 1989, based in Newcastle with Yorkshire branch in Leeds, employing 70 staff across the North of England.
• Bryland Fire ProtectioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading provider of fire suppression products, extinguishers, detection and alarm systems based in West Midlands. Established over 40 years, serving industrial and commercial clients throughout the UK.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Allegion: Major global provider of security and access solutions, including the Briton and Von Duprin fire door closer and holder brands. Overlaps with Geofire in commercial, institutional, and high-traffic public-building fire door hardware.
• Dormakaba: Global provider of access and entrance solutions, with fire-rated door systems, electromagnetic holders, and integrated building access offerings. Competes with Geofire in mid-to-large commercial and institutional projects.
• ASSA ABLOY: Global leader in door opening solutions and access control, with extensive fire door hardware, closers, and electromagnetic holder product lines. Competes with Geofire in commercial offices, healthcare, education, and hospitality as part of a much wider portfolio.

Emerging players

• C-Tec: UK manufacturer of fire alarm systems, disabled refuge systems, and associated life-safety electronics. Comparable to Geofire as a UK-based fire-safety hardware specialist, with overlapping customer base in care, education, and commercial buildings.
• FFE (Fireray / Talentum): UK-based manufacturer of fire detection products (beam smoke detectors, flame detectors, linear heat detection). A peer in the broader UK fire-safety hardware category serving similar end customers, though focused on detection rather than door hardware.
• SE Controls: UK specialist in smoke and fire ventilation control systems, including automatic opening vents and window automation. Adjacent peer to Geofire given the overlap in life-safety integration with building fire alarm systems and the shared UK regulatory landscape.
• EMS Group (Fire Door Inspection): UK provider of fire door inspection, installation, and remediation services, working with property owners to ensure fire door compliance. Indirectly comparable to Geofire as a UK-based player in the same fire-door compliance value chain.

Direct peers

• Tormax (Landert Group): Swiss manufacturer of automatic door systems, including fire door closers and radio-controlled hold-open devices. Closely comparable to Geofire's Salamander range in mechanism and use case, though serving a more international footprint.
• GEZE GmbH: German manufacturer of door, window, and safety technology, including fire door closing and hold-open systems. Comparable to Geofire across electromagnetic hold-open and closer categories, with broader European building-automation reach.
• Fireco: UK-based manufacturer of sound-activated fire door retainers (Freedor, Dorgard). Direct competitor to Geofire's Agrippa range, serving the same care home, education, and hospitality verticals with similar acoustic-release technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SGGeofire
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/GeofireUk
• Facebookfacebook.com/SGGeofire
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/geofire

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Geofire