What Etion Create does

Etion Create is a South African Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) and Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider headquartered in Irene, Pretoria, serving enterprise clients in defence and aerospace, mining and industrial, cyber security, and rail. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reunert Applied Electronics Holdings within the JSE-listed Reunert Group following the 2022 acquisition; it traces its lineage to the 1997-founded Parsec group, was rebranded to Etion in 2018, and now operates as Etion Create with 251-500 employees across three Irene facilities.

Name

Etion Create

Legal name

Etion Create Pty Ltd

Website

https://etioncreate.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Etion Create is a South African ODM and EMS provider designing and manufacturing ruggedised embedded electronics, tactical navigation, cryptographic security, and rail monitoring systems for defence, aerospace, mining, cyber security, and rail enterprise customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronic Manufacturing Services / Embedded Electronics

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) (IMAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial IoT/Edge Electronics Manufacturing (Gateways, Edge Controllers) (IMAGAGAC), Custom/ASIC & Foundry-Adjacent IDM Services (HDAHAAAL)

Keywords

• Electronic manufacturing services
• Original design manufacturing
• Embedded computing boards
• Tactical navigation systems
• Rugged electronic solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Pretoria

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Original Design Manufacturing (ODM): Etion Create designs, manufactures, integrates and supports advanced technology products and solutions through its ODM business model. Customised electronic products and sub-systems are developed in accordance with client requirements and specifications, then manufactured in-house. Long track record of products developed and manufactured, including health and safety devices for mining clients. Revenue is generated through product development fees, prototyping, and manufacturing of bespoke electronic solutions.
2. Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS): Turnkey electronic manufacturing services for a wide spectrum of clients across all market sectors. EC focuses on select high-end clients providing total turnkey manufacturing, prototype assembly, component procurement, storage, SMT assembly, X-Ray inspection, conventional assembly, conformal coating, potting, testing, ESS, next-level assembly, quality assurance, configuration management, and project management.
3. Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Embedded Products: Embedded boards and modules (VF370, VF365, VF360, VF330, CM120, VT330, FM550, FM510) sold as COTS products to system integrators who implement their own applications and solutions.
4. Cybersecurity Products and Solutions: Following the 2024 acquisition of Nanoteq, Etion Create expanded into cryptographic security solutions including Enterprise PKI (Nanoteq CA, Keystone PKI), Crypto Autonomy offerings, Network Security Solutions, Voice and Mobile Security, and Tactical Radio solutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Etion Create designs, develops and manufactures advanced electronic and embedded solutions and customised digital products through two integrated business models: Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) and Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS). Its offerings include rugged embedded VPX/COM Express boards, tactical navigation systems (CheetahNAV family), rugged smart displays, cryptographic/PKI cybersecurity products, and rail condition-monitoring systems for defence, aerospace, mining, industrial, cyber security and rail clients.

Product overview

Etion Create is a technology company designing, developing, and manufacturing advanced electronic and embedded solutions and customized digital products through two core business models: Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) and Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS). The product portfolio spans five main categories: (1) Tactical Navigation including CheetahNAV, CheetahNAV Compact, Cheetah Tactical Router, and Cheetah Slave Display for military/defense vehicle applications; (2) Smart Displays featuring rugged 11.6" displays with Intel Atom E3900 processors and Full HD video processing; (3) Embedded Products including VPX SBC modules (VF370, VF365, VF360, VF330), COM Express (CM120), VPX Test Platform (VT330), and FMC modules (FM550, FM510) for high-performance rugged computing; (4) Cyber Security products including Crypto Autonomy, Network Security Solutions, Voice and Mobile Security Solutions, Tactical Radio Solution, and Enterprise PKI Solution (Nanoteq CA, Keystone PKI) providing cryptographic and PKI capabilities; (5) Rail solutions including Integrated System Display (ISD), Headless Train Cab System (HTCS), Auxiliary Display Unit (ADU), ExactTrack, Vehicle Identification System (VIS 2), Thermal Hot Bearing Detection Systems (THDS, In-Sleeper THDS-ES), Titan, and Integrated Train Condition Monitoring System (ITCMS). These products serve defense, aerospace, mining, industrial, cyber security, and rail sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VF370: 3U VPX SBC with Intel Atom E3900 - embedded board product line
• VF365
• VF360
• VF330
• CM120
• VT330
• FM550
• FM510
• Integrated System Display (ISD)
• Headless Train Cab System (HTCS)
• Auxiliary Display Unit (ADU)
• ExactTrack
• Vehicle Identification System 2 (VIS 2)
• Thermal Hot Bearing Detection System (THDS)
• Titan
• Integrated Train Condition Monitoring System (ITCMS)
• THDS-ES Hot Axle Box Detector
• CheetahNAV
• CheetahNAV Compact
• Cheetah Tactical Router
• Cheetah Slave Display
• Crypto Autonomy Offering
• Network Security Solutions
• Voice and Mobile Security Solutions
• Tactical Radio Solution
• Enterprise PKI Solution
• Smart Display

Quantifiable outcome

• Dead reckoning accuracy within 0.2% of distance travelled (DT) for CheetahNAV tactical navigation system
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NanoteqcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Etion Create expanded its cybersecurity portfolio through the acquisition of Nanoteq, a leader in cryptographic security solutions, in 2024. This acquisition brought capabilities in Enterprise PKI (Nanoteq CA, Keystone PKI), Crypto Autonomy, Network Security, Voice and Mobile Security, and Tactical Radio Solutions.
• Sofia Offshore Wind Farm (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Etion Create was selected as one of the preferred suppliers for the UK-based Sofia offshore wind farm project in 2022, demonstrating its capabilities in supplying electronic solutions to large-scale international infrastructure projects.
• Reunert Applied Electronics HoldingscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Etion Create was acquired by Reunert Applied Electronics Holdings, one of the segments within the Reunert Group, in 2022. Etion Create operates as a subsidiary of the Reunert Group, a listed South African technology and industrial company.
• Intel FPGA Design Solutions NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationAs a member of the Intel FPGA Design Solutions Network ecosystem, Etion Create is able to provide customers with innovative solutions based on Intel advanced FPGA and SoC platforms. This partnership enables EC to offer cutting-edge FPGA technology and design expertise.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kontron: Kontron is a direct peer in rugged embedded computing modules, VPX/VPX SBC boards, and ODM/embedded electronics manufacturing for defence, rail and industrial customers, closely mirroring Etion Create's VF370/CM120 and ODM business.
• Aitech Defense Systems: Aitech is a direct peer in ruggedised embedded computing and display subsystems for defence and aerospace; its product portfolio of VPX boards, SBCs, and rugged smart displays closely overlaps with Etion Create's VF series and Smart Display family.
• Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions: Curtiss-Wright is a direct peer in rugged VPX modules, mission-critical defence electronics, and tactical communications/routers; it competes head-to-head with Etion Create's VPX board, Smart Display, and Cheetah Tactical Router lines for the same defence integrator customers.
• Mercury Systems: Mercury Systems is a direct peer in mission-critical defence electronics, secure embedded computing, and RF/microelectronics; it competes with Etion Create's FPGA-DSP boards, secure computing platforms, and tactical navigation systems in defence and aerospace programmes.

Broad incumbents

• Elbit Systems: Elbit Systems is a broad incumbent in defence electronics, tactical communications, and rugged embedded systems; it overlaps with Etion Create's Cheetah tactical router and navigation, rugged smart displays, and crypto/security portfolio as part of a much larger defence electronics catalogue.
• Safran Electronics & Defense: Safran is a broad incumbent in navigation, inertial systems, and defence electronics; it competes with Etion Create's CheetahNAV tactical INS products and broader rugged electronics offering as part of a much wider aerospace and defence portfolio.
• Ultra Electronics: Ultra Electronics is a broad incumbent in defence and security electronics including tactical communications, cryptographic security, and sonar/rugged systems; it overlaps with Etion Create's Nanoteq-derived PKI/crypto and tactical radio offerings.
• Thales: Thales is a broad incumbent in defence electronics, secure communications, cryptographic security, and rail signalling; it competes across nearly all of Etion Create's segments - tactical navigation, cyber security/PKI, rail monitoring, and embedded mission computing.
• Progress Rail (a Caterpillar company): Progress Rail is a broad incumbent in rail condition monitoring, hot axle detection, and trackside sensing products; it competes with Etion Create's THDS, ITCMS, and ExactTrack portfolio in rail operator procurements globally.

Regional players

• Reutech Radar Systems: Reutech Radar Systems is a South African peer within the broader Reunert group ecosystem, focused on radar, electronic warfare, and rugged defence electronics; it is a regional player that overlaps with Etion Create's defence and tactical navigation markets within South Africa.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 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 Etion Create