What Taylor Hobson does

Taylor Hobson is an ultra-precision metrology equipment manufacturer established in 1886 and headquartered in Leicester, United Kingdom, operating as the core asset of AMETEK, Inc.'s Ultra Precision Technologies Division. The company designs, manufactures and services instruments that measure surface roughness, form, roundness, contour, alignment and non-contact 3D topography, with sub-nanometer accuracy targets across four hardware families: surface profilers (Form Talysurf PGI, Surtronic), roundness and form instruments (Talyrond), non-contact 3D optical profilers (LUPHOScan) and alignment/level systems (Autocollimators, Talyvel, Micro Alignment Telescopes). Proprietary technical components include air-bearing spindles, interferometric non-contact optical profiling, patented RapidCentre centring and the Post Unwrap phase-distortion algorithm, all unified through the Metrology 4.0 software platform with companion analytics (TalyProfile, X-Sight, TALYStack) and AMECare support services.

The business sells on a quote-based enterprise model with dedicated global sales offices in the UK, China, Korea, Thailand, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Taiwan, supplemented by channel partners. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of high-value instruments, software licences, and recurring AMECare performance, calibration, training and contract-measurement services. Customer demand is anchored in eight specialised verticals — aerospace, bearings, optics, space, defence, automotive, medical, and research/national labs — where precision tolerances, traceability and quality-system integration make metrology instrument selection a long-cycle, qualification-driven decision.

On the offensive side, Taylor Hobson has refreshed its optics line with LUPHOScan 260 Automatic Centre and Level capability and the LUPHOSwap 2.0 lens-characterisation upgrade, extended coverage into MEMS/semiconductor and renewable-energy applications, and is migrating its installed base from the legacy Ultra software platform onto Metrology 4.0. On the defensive side, the multi-year Ultra sunset and dependence on AMETEK for capital allocation and group-level data are structural rather than tactical characteristics of the business.

Name

Taylor Hobson

Legal name

Taylor Hobson Ltd

Website

https://taylor-hobson.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1886

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Taylor Hobson, founded 1886 in Leicester, UK, manufactures ultra-precision metrology instruments for surface, roundness, form and non-contact 3D measurement, serving aerospace, bearings, optics, space, defence, automotive and medical manufacturers globally as part of AMETEK's Ultra Precision Technologies Division.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Metrology Instruments

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness) (IMAGAFAD)

Keywords

• Precision metrology instruments
• Surface profilometry equipment
• Roundness measurement systems
• Non-contact optical profilers
• Industrial alignment instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Precision Metrology Instruments: Sale of high-precision measurement equipment including surface profilers, roundness testers, non-contact optical profilers, and alignment instruments. Products range from benchtop laboratory instruments to shop-floor portable testers.
2. Software Licenses and Subscriptions: Metrology 4.0 software platform and specialized analysis software (Talyprofile, X-Sight, CAD PRO) providing measurement, analysis, and programming capabilities.
3. AMECARE Support Services: Performance services, calibration, contract measurement, training programs, and additional support services for installed base maintenance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Taylor Hobson designs and manufactures ultra-precision metrology instruments for surface roughness, roundness, form, contour, and non-contact 3D optical measurement, serving aerospace, bearings, optics, space, defence, automotive, and medical manufacturers. The company sells contact and non-contact profilometers, roundness testers, optical profilers, and alignment systems, paired with proprietary software platforms such as Metrology 4.0, and complemented by calibration, training, and contract measurement services under the AMECare program.

Product overview

Taylor Hobson offers a comprehensive portfolio of ultra-precision metrology instruments organized into four core product lines: Surface Profilers (Form Talysurf PGI series and Surtronic portable testers), Roundness and Form instruments (Talyrond series), Non-Contact 3D Optical Profilers (LUPHOScan series), and Alignment and Level systems (Autocollimators, Talyvel, Micro Alignment Telescopes). The company provides proprietary software platforms including Metrology 4.0 (smart measurement software), TalyProfile (surface analysis), X-Sight (roundness interface), and TALYStack (stack optimization). Specialized solutions include AEROStack Systems for turbine engine alignment, AMECare performance services, and LUPHOSwap 2.0 for full lens characterization. All products serve demanding applications in Optics, Bearings, Aerospace, Space, Defense, Automotive, Medical, and Renewable Energy sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Talyrond®: High precision roundness measurement instruments
• Form Talysurf® PGI
• Surtronic®
• LUPHOScan
• Talyvel®
• Autocollimators
• Micro-Alignment Telescope
• AMECare
• Form Talysurf® i-Series
• Metrology 4.0

Products and services

• LUPHOScan Series Non-contact 3D optical profilometer delivering ultra-fast, automated 3D form measurement for optical surfaces with automatic centre and level capabilities, used by optics, space, and defence manufacturers.
• Form Talysurf PGI Series High-precision contact surface profilers for measuring surface finish, contour, 3D topography, and form on precision optical and mechanical components.
• Surtronic Series Shop-floor portable and benchtop surface roughness testers providing quick, traceable surface finish measurements for production environments.
• Talyrond Series High-precision roundness and form measuring instruments for laboratory and shop-floor applications, ranging from affordable benchtop units to ultra-high-precision systems.
• AEROStack Systems Automated turbine engine rotor stack alignment and assembly measurement systems for aerospace engine manufacturing, using TALYStack stacking optimization software.
• Autocollimators Digital and visual autocollimators for high-accuracy angle measurement and alignment applications.
• Talyvel Electronic Level Electronic level systems for precise measurement of angle, level, flatness, and straightness.
• Micro Alignment Telescopes Precision alignment telescopes for setting and checking alignment, squareness, straightness, flatness, parallelism, verticality, and level.
• Metrology 4.0 Smart metrology software platform with icon-driven interface, virtual display, real-time control, SMART Move axis control, and CAD PRO offline programming for measurement automation.
• TalyProfile Surface finish analysis software for processing and visualizing measurement data with over 50 surface parameters.
• X-Sight Software Touch-screen software platform for roundness and form measurement with intuitive navigation and programmable applications.
• TALYStack Stacking optimization software for calculating optimal turbine engine component assembly configurations.
• AMECare Performance services including calibration, contract measurement, training programs, and technical support for installed metrology equipment.
• LUPHOSwap 2.0 Full lens characterization software module for LUPHOScan enabling complete lens alignment measurement including both surfaces, wedge error, decenter error, and absolute center thickness.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8 times faster cycle time for turbine diameter measurement compared to traditional methods
• +3 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AMETEK, Inc.coreOthersTaylor Hobson is part of the Ultra Precision Technologies Division of AMETEK, Inc., a leading global provider of industrial technology solutions serving diverse niche markets with annual sales over $7.0 billion. This is a parent-subsidiary relationship providing Taylor Hobson with corporate backing and access to AMETEK's global infrastructure.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mahr: German precision metrology specialist in surface finish, form, and contour measurement; competes head-to-head with Taylor Hobson in European industrial and bearing markets with very similar product positioning.
• Renishaw: UK-headquartered global metrology and precision measurement company offering probes, encoders, and Raman systems with deep reach into aerospace, medical, and industrial customers — directly comparable to Taylor Hobson on customer base, precision positioning, and product overlap in surface/form measurement.
• Zygo Corporation: Sister company within AMETEK's Ultra Precision Technologies Division; specializes in optical metrology, interferometers, and surface profiling — directly comparable product overlap, particularly in precision optical measurement.
• Mitutoyo: Japanese global leader in precision measurement instruments (micrometers, CMMs, form/roundness testers) serving identical industrial customers; one of the closest direct competitors to Taylor Hobson in shop-floor surface and form metrology.
• OptiPro Systems: US precision optical metrology and machining systems provider serving optics, aerospace, and medical customers — directly comparable niche positioning in ultra-precision optical surface measurement.
• Nikon Metrology: Industrial metrology provider of laser scanners, CMMs, and optical measurement systems with significant aerospace and automotive customer overlap — comparable to Taylor Hobson in precision optical and shop-floor measurement.

Broad incumbents

• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: Division of Hexagon AB providing a broad portfolio of CMMs, laser trackers, optical scanners and software platforms; competes with Taylor Hobson in dimensional metrology but operates at a much larger scale and across a wider solution set.
• Keyence: Global industrial sensor and measurement company with broad coverage of dimensional and inspection applications; competes with Taylor Hobson in surface measurement and shop-floor QA at a much wider product breadth.
• Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology: ZEISS's industrial metrology business offers CMMs, optical and CT-based inspection systems — overlapping with Taylor Hobson in optics and aerospace while serving a much broader industrial customer base.

Emerging players

• Faro Technologies: 3D measurement and imaging specialist focused on portable laser scanning and coordinate measurement; overlaps with Taylor Hobson in metrology but operates in different form factors and price tiers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TaylorHobson
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TaylorHobsonUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/taylor-hobson-limited
• Facebookfacebook.com/taylorhobsonmetrology

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 Taylor Hobson