Submarine Manufacturing & Products

What Submarine Manufacturing & Products does

Submarine Manufacturing & Products Limited (SMP) is a UK-based, privately held designer and manufacturer of commercial diving equipment, hyperbaric systems, and submarine rescue vehicles, founded in 1985 by Phil Connolly and headquartered in Blackpool, Lancashire. The company operates across six continents with 101-250 employees, serving four primary end-markets: commercial diving contractors (oil and gas, offshore wind, tunnelling), naval and military organisations (submarine rescue packages), medical/healthcare providers (hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers), and a newly targeted equine veterinary vertical. Its portfolio spans proprietary manufactured equipment — including the SRV-F Mk3 free-swimming submarine rescue submersible (500m+ depth, 50 submariner capacity, NATO ANEP/MNEP 85 mating, A400M transportable), SEVDS submarine emergency ventilation/decompression systems, TUP closed bell diving spreads (24-hour mobilisable), EXOSUIT atmospheric dive suits (1,000 ft depth), deck and containerised decompression chambers in 1.5m/1.8m/2.0m diameters, Fibrolite and Fibroline umbilicals, containerised dive-control/machinery/life-support packages, and PSA plants — alongside authorised UK distribution of Kirby Morgan helmets and band masks, plus resale of Coltri, Outland Technology, Analox, Amron, C-Tecnics, Broco, Otaq, and Caviblaster products. SMP's commercial model combines quote-based bespoke engineering projects (Lloyds-, DNV-, ABS-, IMCA-, and CE-marked), e-commerce sale of 499+ catalogue SKUs, recurring servicing and hire of equipment, and authorised training services for Kirby Morgan users. The customer base is anchored by a $100 million Indonesian Navy submarine rescue system contract (September 2023), the Damen MPSS partnership launched Spring 2024 with Portuguese Navy co-development, and a growing portfolio of hospital, training, and diving-contractor clients. The company underwent a 2023 ownership change that installed a new management team of submarine rescue experts while retaining Phil Connolly as Chairman, and operates with UK Export Finance-supported defence export financing.

Name

Submarine Manufacturing & Products

Legal name

Submarine Manufacturing & Products Limited

Website

https://smp-ltd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Submarine Manufacturing & Products (SMP) is a UK-based designer and manufacturer founded in 1985 that builds commercial diving equipment, hyperbaric chambers, and submarine rescue systems — including the SRV-F Mk3 rescue submersible — for navies, commercial diving contractors, hospitals, and offshore energy operators worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Diving & Subsea Engineering Equipment

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (33661), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

akta.pro primary industry

Submarine Safety, Escape & Rescue Systems Manufacturing (IMAJAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Manned Submersible & Deep-Sea Research Vehicle Manufacturing (IMAJAOAD), Submarine Life Support & Environmental Control Systems Manufacturing (IMAJAOAK), Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG)

Keywords

• Commercial diving equipment
• Submarine rescue systems
• Hyperbaric chambers
• Subsea engineering solutions
• Diving decompression systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Preston

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commercial Diving Equipment Sales: Sale of commercial diving equipment including Kirby Morgan helmets, band masks, accessories, diver gear, electronics, tools, and ROVs through both e-commerce store and direct sales. Products are sold as one-time purchases with some items featuring 'Call for Price' requiring quote-based sales process.
2. Bespoke Systems Manufacturing: Design and manufacture of bespoke subsea and hyperbaric systems including saturation diving systems, containerised diving systems, submarine rescue systems, hyperbaric chambers, and launch and recovery systems. Projects are bespoke, requiring custom quotes and consultations.
3. Equipment Rental and Servicing: SMP offers hire equipment for commercial diving operations and provides servicing, repair, and maintenance of diving and subsea systems. Servicing is offered as a recurring revenue stream for existing equipment.
4. Air and Gas Equipment Sales: Sales of air control panels, compressors, compressor consumables, gas storage, umbilicals, gas generation systems, and regulators/valves/gauges for breathing air applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Submarine Manufacturing & Products (SMP) designs, manufactures and supplies commercial diving equipment (helmets, band masks, umbilicals, ROVs, dive controls), bespoke subsea engineering systems (saturation diving systems, containerised diving systems, hyperbaric chambers) and full submarine rescue packages including the SRV-F Mk3 rescue submersible, SEVDS emergency ventilation and atmospheric diving suits. It also operates as the authorised UK distributor for Kirby Morgan and other brands, and offers equipment hire plus servicing of diving and subsea systems.

Product overview

Submarine Manufacturing & Products (SMP) is a UK-based manufacturer specialising in commercial diving equipment, medical hyperbaric systems, and military/subsea/emergency rescue solutions since 1985. The product portfolio is a multi-product hardware portfolio rather than a unified software platform. Core products include: Kirby Morgan diving helmets and band masks (distributed products); SMP-manufactured deck and containerised decompression chambers (DDC) in 1.5m, 1.8m, and 2.0m diameters; submarine rescue systems including the SRV-F Mk3 rescue submersible (capable of 500m depths, 50 rescuees); SEVDS ventilation systems; atmospheric diving suits (rated to 1,000 feet); and Transfer Under Pressure (TUP) closed bell systems. The company also manufactures Fibrolite and Fibroline diving umbilicals (3-core and 4-core variants); 10ft and 20ft containerised diving systems including dive control, machinery containers, and life support packages; and distributes Coltri compressors, C-Tecnics communications, Outland Technology video systems, and other diving equipment. Bespoke manufacturing capabilities include PSA plants, launch and recovery systems, hyperbaric chambers, and mobile diving systems. SMP serves diverse markets including oil and gas, renewable energy, military, police, and medical/hospital sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Diving Equipment (catalog range) Comprehensive range of commercial diving equipment including Kirby Morgan helmets and band masks, diver gear, electronics, tools, ROVs and accessories supplied to the global commercial diving industry.
• Kirby Morgan Diving Helmets Authorised UK distribution of Kirby Morgan diving helmets (models 37, SuperLite 27, SuperLite 17B, KM 97, Diamond) for commercial diving use.
• Kirby Morgan Band Masks Authorised UK distribution of Kirby Morgan KMB 18 and KMB 28 band masks with associated spares and accessories.
• SMP Diving Decompression Chambers (DDC) Twinlock skid-mounted deck decompression chambers in 1.5m, 1.8m and 2.0m diameters, rated to 100m depth / 10 Bar MWP, with viewports and Medical Lock as standard, for commercial diving operations.
• Containerised 1500mm Twin Lock DDC Containerised 1500mm twinlock decompression chamber installed in a standard 20ft ISO container with insulation, AC, lighting and electrical fitout to IMCA guidelines.
• Containerised 1800mm Twin Lock DDC Containerised 1800mm twinlock decompression chamber installed in a 20ft ISO/DNV 2.7-1 container, fully fitted out to IMCA guidelines for offshore deployment.
• SRV-F Mk3 Submarine Rescue Vehicle Free-swimming manned rescue submersible for untethered submarine rescue operations at depths exceeding 500m, capable of transporting up to 50 submariners and featuring NATO ANEP/MNEP 85/85.1-compliant mating skirt with soft seal at angles up to 45°, advanced lithium polymer battery endurance of 12+ hours, and A400M air-transportability.
• Submarine Rescue Systems (integrated package) Complete submarine rescue packages integrating SEVDS, control and machinery containers, umbilical winch packages, subsea control modules, HP air quads, atmospheric submersibles and ROVs for navy customers.
• SEVDS - Submarine Emergency Ventilation and Decompression System Submarine emergency ventilation and decompression system that stabilises distressed submarine atmospheres and delivers breathable air, with composite umbilical (>650m capacity), constant tension guide wire winch (2000kg SWL) and STANAG 1450 coupling compliance.
• EXOSUIT Atmospheric Diving System (ADS) Hard-metal atmospheric dive suit rated to 1,000 feet depth, maintaining surface-level cabin pressure via rotary joint technology, with dual oxygen systems, 50-hour CO2 scrubber, 4x1.6HP thrusters (expandable to 8), Gigabit Ethernet over fibre optics and full-duplex intercom.
• Transfer Under Pressure (TUP) System IMCA- and Lloyd's Register-certified closed bell diving system with 3-man 4.7m³ saturation diving bell, twin lock decompression chamber, gantry launch and recovery system and mixed gas capability, in a mobile/modular configuration mobilisable in 24 hours.
• Fibrolite 3 Core Umbilical Sheathed low-pressure diving hose with polyether-based polyurethane liner, braided polyester reinforcement and optimised polyurethane cover, in a 3-core configuration with air, pneumo and communication cables, for inshore/standard diving.
• Fibrolite 4 Core Umbilical 4-core twisted diver's umbilical with air, pneumo, communication and mini-TV cables, kink and abrasion-resistant, with marine-grade phosphor bronze fittings for inshore/standard diving.
• Fibroline 3 Core Umbilical Heavy-duty sheathed 3-core diving hose with thicker polyurethane outer cover and full-cover braided reinforcement for offshore/arduous diving environments.
• Fibroline 4 Core Umbilical 4-core offshore diving umbilical with air, pneumo, communication and mini-TV cables engineered for arduous work sites with superior kink and abrasion resistance.
• Saturation Diving Systems Bespoke complete saturation diving systems designed and manufactured by SMP for clients worldwide, providing expert solutions for various saturation diving applications.
• Launch & Recovery Systems (LARS) Bespoke launch and recovery handling systems (gantry/A-frame etc.) for submarine rescue operations and diving bell deployment.
• 10ft Containerised Dive Control 10-foot containerised dive control cabin for onshore and offshore operations, equipped with HP cylinder rack, diver air panel, video and communications monitoring systems.
• SMP Dive Control Containers (10ft / 20ft) Insulated dive control containers available in 10ft and 20ft sizes, fitted with custom air, nitrox and mixed-gas panels, safety equipment, communications systems and diver equipment storage.
• 10ft Containerised Dive Support Unit Compact 10ft containerised dive support with HP and LP breathing air compressors, air quads and air control panel, housed in a DNV 2.7-1 offshore container.
• SMP Machinery Containers Containerised machinery containers for LP/HP compressors and gas storage solutions, in 10ft and 20ft configurations built to commercial diving requirements.
• Containerised Life Support Package (LSP) Transportable containerised life support package for remote locations supporting SPHL or HRC services after evacuation, featuring control area, environmental control, HP gas storage and CCTV monitoring.
• Hyperbaric Chambers (medical / HBOT) Tailored medical and HBOT hyperbaric chambers for combined building installations and independent containerised units, with documented hospital deliveries in Guernsey, Ireland and Jersey.
• PSA Plants (Pressure Swing Adsorption) Bespoke pressure swing adsorption plants for gas generation applications in commercial diving and subsea operations.
• Air Control Panels Air control panels for diving operations providing precise control and monitoring of breathing air supply to divers.
• Compressors (Coltri distributed) Breathing air compressors for commercial diving applications, including Coltri Mini Compact, ICON and FORCE FOUR models distributed by SMP.
• ROV - Remote Operated Vehicles (incl. SMP MultiROV SR) Remote operated vehicles including the SMP MultiROV SR for subsea inspection, intervention and support operations.
• Mobile Diving Systems (bespoke) Bespoke mobile diving systems designed for rapid deployment and versatile diving operations.
• Hyperbaric Reception Facility Bespoke hyperbaric reception facilities for medical and emergency response applications.
• Hire Equipment Service Equipment hire service for commercial diving and subsea equipment, supporting short-duration diving campaigns.
• BIBS & Oxygen Treatment Hoods Built-in Breathing Systems (BIBS) and oxygen treatment hoods for hyperbaric chambers used in medical and diving applications.
• Carbon Dioxide Scrubbers CO2 scrubbers for hyperbaric and diving applications, designed to maintain safe atmosphere levels inside chambers.

Quantifiable outcome

• SRV-F Mk3 can transport up to 50 submariners in a single dive
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

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.

• DamencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2024SMP was selected as Submarine Rescue Capability Partner for Damen's Multipurpose Support Ship (MPSS). SMP developed multiple equipment layouts integrated beneath the flight deck, including handling system, rescue vehicle, and decompression system at the vessel's aft section. The collaboration ensures compatibility with SMP's 50-person SRV-F rescue vehicle, creating a unique multirole naval asset.
• BTI Defence (Indonesia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2023Strategic partner for Indonesian Navy submarine rescue system contract. BTI Defence is delivering the mothership component and coordinating in-region manufacturing and training for the Indonesian Navy, working alongside SMP's UK design and manufacturing capabilities.
• HouldercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2023Independent design and engineering consultancy responsible for designing the mothership for the Indonesian Navy submarine rescue system. Houlder provided ship design and engineering for the bespoke rescue vessel.
• Portuguese NavycoreOthersCo-developed the Damen Multipurpose Support Ship (MPSS) with SMP's submarine rescue capability integrated into the vessel design. The Portuguese Navy was the founding navy partner for the MPSS programme.
• Kirby Morgan Dive SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSMP is an authorised UK distributor of Kirby Morgan commercial diving helmets, band masks, masks, spares, and associated equipment. SMP is also an official training centre for Kirby Morgan helmet and mask use, repairs, and maintenance.
• Coltri CompressorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSMP distributes Coltri compressors including the Coltri ICON and FORCE FOUR compressor models through its online store and direct sales.
• Outfox HyperbaricsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership announced April 2025 to revolutionise equine hyperbaric oxygen therapy, combining SMP's hyperbaric chamber expertise with Outfox Hyperbarics' focus on animal health applications.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Fink Engineering: Australia-based designer and manufacturer of hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers for clinical and remote applications. Fink is an emerging peer to SMP in the medical HBOT chamber category, focused on portable and remote-medicine variants.

Broad incumbents

• Aqua Lung: Global incumbent diving and water sports equipment company with a broad portfolio of regulators, masks, BCDs, and commercial/military diving gear. Aqua Lung is a broad incumbent adjacent to SMP's commercial diving equipment distribution and Kirby Morgan-aligned product lines.

Direct peers

• Nuytco Research: Canadian manufacturer of atmospheric diving systems (notably the NEMO ADS) and one-atmosphere submersibles. Nuytco competes directly with SMP's EXOSUIT ADS in the atmospheric-diving and one-atmosphere intervention market.
• Perry Baromedical: US-based manufacturer of medical hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers used in hospitals, clinics, and wound care centres. Perry is a direct peer to SMP in the medical HBOT chamber product line, addressing the same hospital and clinic customer segments.
• Sechrist Industries: US manufacturer of clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers widely used in US hospitals and wound care facilities. Sechrist is a direct peer in the clinical hyperbaric chamber market, where SMP also targets hospital customers across the UK and Ireland.
• Drass Group: Italian-headquartered designer and manufacturer of commercial diving equipment, hyperbaric systems, saturation diving spreads, and subsea intervention tooling. Drass is a direct European peer serving the same offshore, naval, and medical hyperbaric customer base as SMP.
• Phoenix International Holdings: US-headquartered submarine rescue and subsea services contractor operating the Pacific Fleet Submarine Rescue System and ARS-50 submarine rescue vessels. Phoenix is a directly comparable operator of submarine rescue assets, especially for USN and allied navies.
• Kirby Morgan Dive Systems: US manufacturer of the SuperLite and KM series commercial diving helmets and band masks that SMP distributes under exclusive UK arrangement. Kirby Morgan is a direct upstream peer, also supplying commercial diving helmets, masks, and accessories to the same global diving market.
• Triton Submarines: Florida-based manufacturer of privately owned and commercial manned submersibles, including deep-rated acrylic-hull models. Triton is a direct peer in the manned submersible / deep-sea vehicle manufacturing niche that SMP's SRV-F Mk3 occupies.
• JFD (James Fisher Defence): JFD operates the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) and is the most internationally visible integrated submarine rescue and hyperbaric engineering provider. It is the closest direct peer to SMP, overlapping in SRVs, hyperbaric chambers, decompression systems, and commercial diving equipment supplied to navies worldwide.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance15 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Submarine Manufacturing & Products