What Ikar Gb does

IKAR GB Limited is a UK distributor, authorised servicing centre, and training provider for fall protection, rescue-from-height, and confined space safety equipment. Founded in 2008 and headquartered at Unit 32 Phoenix Industrial Estate, Charles Street, West Bromwich, the company holds exclusive UK distribution rights for IKAR GmbH (Fulda, Germany) and is licensed by IKAR GmbH as the sole authorised UK centre permitted to inspect, service, repair and re-certify the full IKAR product range.

The core product portfolio covers retractable fall arrest blocks and load arresters (EN360), fall arrest harnesses (EN361), energy absorbing and restraint lanyards (EN355 / EN354), guided fall arrest systems (EN353-2), work positioning equipment (EN358), anchorage solutions (EN795), kernmantle and semi-static ropes (EN1981 Type A), and EN362-compliant connectors, plus pre-rigged rescue kits, controlled descent devices, rope pulley systems, the SLIX100 stretcher, and proprietary 'IKAR GB kits' configured for MEWP, scaffolder, climber and general-purpose use. Differentiated technology features include IKAR's proprietary Dyneema-core webbing (2.5mm thick, 30mm wide, 34kN breaking load) and VG11 Additional Testing Procedure compliance for horizontal use over sharp edges. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification (2021-2024) and operates both a West Bromwich in-house workshop and a mainland UK mobile on-site servicing capability (minimum 5 devices per site, ~90-minute average per device).

The business model combines hardware distribution of IKAR GmbH products and proprietary kits (hardware sales), authorised in-house and on-site servicing and recertification (professional services), and half-day and full-day training courses covering emergency evacuation, inspection of PFPE, work-at-height management, ladders and step ladders, third-party rescue, and confined space product use (professional services). Pricing is quote-based for hardware and servicing, with training billed by course duration. The company operates sales-led throughout the UK, without disclosed resellers, geographic expansion, or capital raises.

Name

Ikar Gb

Legal name

IKAR GB Limited

Website

https://ikargb.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IKAR GB is the UK distributor, authorised servicing centre, and training provider for fall protection, rescue-from-height, and confined space safety equipment manufactured by IKAR GmbH, serving UK construction, maintenance, MEWP, scaffolder, climber and confined space operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

West Bromwich

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Safety Equipment Sales: Sale of fall arrest blocks, tripods, davits, recovery devices, safety harnesses, restraint lanyards, energy absorbing lanyards, ropes, connectors, anchorage equipment, and storage/transportation solutions.
2. Servicing and Recertification: Annual inspection, servicing, repair and recertification of IKAR GmbH products. Both in-house workshop servicing and mobile on-site servicing options available. Licensed by IKAR GmbH as sole authorized servicing centre in the UK.
3. Training Courses: Training courses covering Emergency Evacuation/Self Rescue from Height, Inspection of Personal Fall Protection Equipment, Ladders and Step Ladders, Management of Work at Height, Third Party Rescue from Height, Use of IKAR Confined Space Products, and Work at Height. Offered as half-day and full-day courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

IKAR GB is the sole UK distributor of IKAR GmbH fall arrest, restraint, rescue from height, and confined space equipment, offering retractable fall arrest blocks, harnesses, lanyards, connectors, anchorage equipment, controlled descent rescue kits, rope pulley systems, stretcher kits and storage solutions. The company complements product sales with licensed annual inspection, in-house and mobile on-site servicing/recertification, and accredited training courses on work-at-height and confined space rescue.

Product overview

IKAR GB is a safety equipment distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of fall protection, rescue, and work positioning products primarily manufactured by IKAR GmbH (Germany). The core product line includes retractable fall arrest blocks and load arresters (EN360), fall arrest harnesses (EN361), energy absorbing and restraint lanyards (EN355/EN354), guided fall arrest systems (EN353-2), work positioning equipment (EN358), anchorage solutions (EN795), and connectors (EN362). The company also provides pre-configured rescue kits including controlled descent devices, rope pulley systems, and stretcher systems, along with specialised harness kits tailored for MEWP operators, scaffolders, and climbers. Supporting accessories include ropes, storage solutions, and rope handling equipment. All IKAR retractable fall arresters undergo VG 11 edge testing for horizontal use over sharp edges. The company offers related services including training courses and both in-house and mobile workshop servicing/repair, all licensed by IKAR GmbH.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HWB Fall Arrest Block Lightweight aluminium housing retractable fall arrest block with webbing lifeline, EN360 compliant, with swivel eye attachment point and sewn-in load indicator, designed for industrial work-at-height users.
• IKLA Load Arrester Load arrester device for securing lifts with 300kg SWL, plastic housing with galvanised steel cable; not for personnel fall protection, for vertical work load security only.
• Harness Kits Complete fall protection kits combining harnesses, lanyards, anchorage slings and storage bags, configured for specific applications such as MEWP users, scaffolders, general purpose, site use, and climbers.
• Controlled Descent Device Rescue Kits Pre-rigged rescue kits comprising ABS3aWH or ABS4 controlled descent devices with rescue facility, kernmantle rope, connectors, remote reach rescue pole, and tackle bag for height evacuation.
• Rope Pulley Systems Pre-rigged rescue pulley systems in 1-way locking cam (4:1), 1-way friction bearing (4:1), and 2-way auto locking (3:1) variants, with 200kg load capacity for single-person rescue.
• Connectors EN362-compliant range of aluminium and steel karabiners, hooks, and links with double/triple action mechanisms, screwgate, twist lock, and captive eye configurations.
• Kernmantle and Semi-Static Ropes EN1981 Type A compliant 11mm kernmantle and 14mm semi-static ropes in various lengths with sewn terminations, thimbled eyes, and connector options, with custom lengths up to 200m available.
• Anchorage Slings and Beam Clamps EN795/EN354-compliant webbing and steelrope anchorage slings in various lengths, plus IKABC adjustable beam clamp for 84-265mm wide I-beams up to 23mm thick.
• Storage & Transportation Solutions Storage boxes with protective foam inserts for IKAR devices, metal and plastic storage cases, rope bags, harness bags, tripod bags, and rucksacks for equipment transport and storage.
• SLIX100 Stretcher Kit Robust, compact, lightweight rescue stretcher with hauling strops and roll-top storage bag, usable with the IKAR tripod range for confined space rescue.
• Work Positioning Systems and Belts EN358-compliant kernmantle rope and webbing work positioning systems with various connector configurations, plus padded waistbelt with side D-rings for work positioning applications.
• Guided Type Fall Arrest Systems EN353-2 compliant guided fall arrest systems with kernmantle rope, stainless steel rope grab, and energy absorbing pack, including a Rocker System with removable rope grab.
• Fall Arrest Harnesses EN361-compliant safety harnesses in single-point, two-point, and waistbelted variants with push-through or quick-release buckles; selected models include EN1497 overhead rescue attachments.
• Energy Absorbing Lanyards EN355-compliant energy absorbing lanyards in webbing, kernmantle rope, and steel rope variants, with custom configurations and various connector combinations available.
• Restraint Lanyards Webbing and kernmantle rope restraint lanyards that prevent users from reaching fall hazard zones, configurable with various connector options.
• Training Services Training courses covering emergency evacuation/self rescue from height, inspection of fall protection equipment, ladders and step ladders, management of work at height, confined space rescue, and IKAR product usage, offered as half-day and full-day courses.
• In-House Servicing and Recertification Annual service, inspection, and recertification of IKAR products including retractable fall arrest devices, rescue equipment, confined space devices, and tripods, performed at the West Bromwich workshop under licence from IKAR GmbH with quotations returned within 5 working days.
• On-Site Mobile Workshop Servicing Mobile workshop service for UK customer sites with 5 or more IKAR devices, providing on-site inspection and recertification with an average device turnaround of approximately 90 minutes.

Quantifiable outcome

• VG11 edge testing compliance ensures safety over sharp edges (r=0.5mm)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• IKAR GmbHcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2008IKAR GB is the UK distributor for IKAR GmbH safety products, formed in 2008. They are licensed by IKAR GmbH as the sole authorized servicing centre for any IKAR GmbH product in the UK, authorized to inspect, service, repair and re-certify the entire IKAR GmbH product range. IKAR GmbH manufactures products at their facility in Fulda, Germany.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Petzl: French global manufacturer of fall protection, rope access and confined space equipment with established UK distribution. Direct competitor to IKAR GB in the same end-customer segments (construction, utilities, rescue services) with overlapping EN-certified product lines.
• Tractel: French-headquartered manufacturer of fall arrest, lifting and access equipment with UK operations and authorised servicing network. Closest like-for-like competitor combining hardware sales, training and authorised inspection services.
• SpanSet: German-owned manufacturer of height safety, lifting and load-securing equipment with UK distribution and training. Directly comparable in product mix (SRLs, harnesses, anchorage), German engineering heritage and European-to-UK distribution model.
• Kratos Safety: UK-headquartered manufacturer and distributor of fall protection, height safety and rescue equipment. Closest UK-based peer to IKAR GB in terms of product range, customer segments and combined hardware/servicing business model.

Broad incumbents

• 3M Fall Protection (Capital Safety / Latchways / Protecta): Global safety incumbent encompassing former Capital Safety, Latchways and Protecta brands, supplying harnesses, SRLs, anchorage and training across the UK. Competes directly with IKAR GB across most EN-certified categories but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• MSA Safety: US-listed global safety equipment manufacturer offering fall protection (Latchway-equivalent) alongside gas detection and head protection. Overlaps with IKAR GB on the work-at-height product lines and competes in the same UK industrial customer base.
• Honeywell Miller: Honeywell's fall protection division (formerly Miller by Sperian) supplies harnesses, SRLs and edge-tested systems globally and into the UK. Comparable on core fall protection SKUs and on serving industrial end-customers, though as part of a much wider safety portfolio.
• Capital Safety (now part of 3M): Pre-2010 independent fall protection leader (with brands including Sala, Protecta, Latchways) — historically the most direct UK-headquartered competitor to IKAR GB before its acquisition by 3M. Still relevant as the legacy competitive benchmark for the UK fall protection distribution model.
• Guardian Fall Protection: North American fall protection manufacturer with growing international presence, offering harnesses, SRLs, anchorage and roof safety systems. Comparable in product categories though typically less focused on the European EN-standard edge testing that IKAR GB emphasises.

Emerging players

• Beal Pro: French rope and safety equipment specialist supplying dynamic/semi-static ropes, harnesses and lanyards across Europe. Partial overlap with IKAR GB's rope, connector and harness range and a comparable European-engineering brand positioning.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ikargb

Compliance11 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 Ikar Gb