MSA Foams

What MSA Foams does

MSA Foams Ltd is a UK specialist foam converter founded in 1969 and headquartered at a 32,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Wimborne, Dorset. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures custom foam inserts for protective cases, materials handling solutions, and branded presentation packaging, serving defence, aerospace, automotive, broadcast, energy, engineering, and marketing/retail end-markets. It is an MPAS-accredited military packager (CAGE Code: U1492) and a Zotefoams Approved Converter, and it resells and customizes protective cases from Peli, MAX, EXOcase, and Peli-Hardigg.

The firm operates a project-based, quote-priced revenue model: customers engage through a nationwide UK Business Development Manager network (covering Scotland, Northern Ireland, North East, North West, Midlands, Wales, South West, South Central, London & South East, and Government sectors) and receive in-house design, FARO Edge and Artec Leo 3D scanning, CNC routing, five-axis waterjet cutting, UV digital printing, and laser engraving as part of the service. Standard lead times are 4-6 weeks from order placement (2-3 weeks after design approval). Production tooling includes eight CNC routers, five-axis waterjet cutters, a four-colour UV digital flat bed press, and two laser engraving machines, supported by Alphacam, SOLIDWORKS, and CATIA V5 design software.

MSA Foams has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peli Products UK Ltd since 2012, having grown its facility more than fourfold post-acquisition. It holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, JOSCAR, and BAE Systems approved-supplier credentials, serves marquee customers including BAE Systems, Thales, Airbus, McLaren, and Red Bull Racing, and recently installed solar panels via Low Carbon Dorset and the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund to reduce CO2 emissions by over 45 tonnes annually.

Name

MSA Foams

Legal name

MSA Foams Ltd

Website

https://msa.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MSA Foams Ltd is a UK MPAS-accredited custom foam converter and subsidiary of Peli Products UK Ltd, designing and manufacturing precision-cut foam inserts and customized protective cases for defence, aerospace, automotive, broadcast, and industrial customers across the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Protective Foam Packaging

NAICS

Urethane and Other Foam Product (except Polystyrene) Manufacturing (326150)

SIC

Plastics Foam Products (3086)

akta.pro primary industry

Foam Conversion & Fabrication (Cutting, Laminating, CNC, Packaging Inserts) (IMANAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Foam Protective Packaging (EPS/EPE/EPP, PU, Molded Foam) (IMALAFAA)

Keywords

• Custom foam inserts
• Protective cases engineering
• Military packaging solutions
• Foam conversion services
• Materials handling packaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Wimborne

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Foam Inserts: Bespoke foam inserts tailored to specific equipment dimensions for protective cases and containers. One-time purchase per project with pricing based on complexity, foam type, and quantity.
2. Protective Cases with Custom Foam: Complete protective case solutions including Peli, MAX, EXOcase, and Peli-Hardigg cases fitted with custom foam inserts
3. Custom Branding Services: UV digital printing, laser engraving, case wraps, decals, stickers, and nameplates applied to foam inserts and protective cases
4. Materials Handling Solutions: Custom containers, stillages, dividers, trays, and cardboard cartons with foam inserts for industrial and logistics applications

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MSA Foams is a UK-based specialist foam converter that designs, manufactures, and supplies bespoke precision-cut foam inserts paired with protective cases (Peli, MAX, EXOcase, Peli-Hardigg) for industrial, defence, aerospace, automotive, and broadcast sectors. The company also provides custom branding applications, materials handling solutions, tool control foam, nationwide 3D product scanning, and MPAS-certified military packaging design services from its 32,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Wimborne, Dorset.

Product overview

MSA Foams is a specialist UK foam converter offering a portfolio of custom foam insert services paired with protective case products. The core offering centers on bespoke, precision-cut foam engineering using CNC routing, waterjet cutting, and laser engraving for industries including defence, aerospace, automotive, broadcast, and industrial sectors. The product range includes custom foam inserts as the primary service, complemented by branded protective cases from Peli (Protector, Storm, Air), MAX, Peli-Hardigg, and EXOcase ranges. Additional offerings include custom branding applications (UV printing, laser engraving, decals), materials handling solutions, tool control/shadow board foam, nationwide 3D product scanning, MPAS-certified military packaging, and Zotefoams-approved material supply. The company operates a nationwide consultant network across all UK regions for sales and support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Foam Inserts Precision-engineered, laser-cut and waterjet-cut foam inserts tailored to specific equipment dimensions for protective cases and containers. Used by defence, aerospace, automotive, broadcast, industrial, and motorsport customers.
• Peli Cases with Custom Foam High-durability, waterproof protective cases from the Peli Protector, Storm, and Air ranges fitted with bespoke foam inserts for equipment protection across defence, aerospace, and industrial sectors.
• MAX Cases with Custom Foam Cost-effective, rugged waterproof cases paired with custom laser-cut foam inserts for equipment storage and transport.
• Peli-Hardigg Cases with Custom Foam Industrial-grade polymer transport cases available in rack mount, single lid, and ISP formats with laser-cut foam interiors for military and high-value equipment protection.
• EXOcase Cases with Custom Foam British-crafted flight cases with exo-skeletal design and customisable dimensions and foam configurations for high-value instrument protection.
• Custom Branding Services Full custom case graphics, UV digital printing, laser engraving, decals, stickers, labels, and nameplates for brand personalisation of foam inserts and protective cases.
• Materials Handling Solutions Custom foam inserts, stillages, dividers, trays, and cardboard cartons with foam inserts for industrial logistics, storage, and supply chain optimisation.
• Tool Control & Shadow Board Foam Custom-cut foam inserts with contrasting colour layers for tool organisation, FOD prevention, and visual inventory management in industrial settings.
• Nationwide 3D Product Scanning On-site Artec Leo handheld scanning and FARO Edge articulated-arm scanning for precise digital capture of objects to support custom foam design without requiring customers to ship items.
• Foam Consultation Services UK-wide network of Business Development Managers providing expert guidance on custom foam solutions from initial enquiry through design, quotation, and delivery.
• MPAS-Certified Military Packaging UK Ministry of Defence-accredited military-level packaging design and SPIS (Services Packaging Instruction Sheet) creation compliant with DefStan 81-41.
• Zotefoams Materials Supply Supply of Zotefoams Plastazote LD, VA, FR, and Static Control foam grades in densities from 15kg/m³ to 115kg/m³ in multiple colours.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO2 emissions reduced by over 45 tonnes annually through solar panel installation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• WhiteroomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreative design agency that provided creative direction for the Red Bull Racing/New Era custom case project. MSA Foams worked under Whiteroom's creative direction to transform Peli cases into custom-branded presentation solutions.
• Zotefoams PLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationZotefoams is a global leader in advanced cellular materials. MSA Foams is a Zotefoams Approved Converter, enabling access to high-performance Plastazote foams with densities from 15kg/m3 to 115kg/m3. This accreditation ensures guaranteed material quality and structural integrity.
• Peli Products UK LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSA Foams was acquired by Peli Products UK Ltd in 2012. This parent company relationship provides access to Peli case products, the Peli Lifetime Guarantee, and allows MSA to serve as an approved distributor and customizer of Peli protective cases.
• Low Carbon DorsetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported MSA Foams' solar panel installation project as part of the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund. The initiative reduces CO2 emissions by over 45 tonnes annually.
• UK Government Shared Prosperity FundminorOthersGovernment fund that part-funded MSA Foams' solar panel installation project, demonstrating commitment to sustainability and low-carbon practices.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Gator Cases: Protective case brand offering standard and custom foam-interior solutions across music, AV, and industrial applications. Comparable to MSA on protective case-and-foam bundles and branding/engraving services.
• Foam Fabricators: Custom foam fabricator offering CNC-cut foam packaging, protective inserts, and OEM foam components. Comparable to MSA on precision foam conversion capabilities and diversified industrial customer base.
• Polycase: Manufacturer of plastic protective enclosures with custom foam insert services, serving electronics, instrumentation, and defence. Comparable to MSA on integrated case + custom foam engineering offering.
• SKB Cases: US-based manufacturer of protective cases with custom foam interiors serving military, music, and industrial markets. Closely comparable to MSA on product offering (case + custom foam) and target verticals.

Emerging players

• Technical Foam Services: UK foam fabricator offering cut-to-shape foam, case inserts, and protective packaging. Comparable to MSA on small-batch custom foam engineering for similar end-customers in industrial and consumer segments.

Others

• Zotefoams: Manufacturer of Plastazote and other high-performance closed-cell foams. Upstream material supplier whose products MSA converts; comparable because both serve the same end-customers through the same technical foam value chain.

Regional players

• Custom Foam / CFC Foam: UK-based custom foam converter producing protective packaging, case inserts, and engineered foam components. Comparable to MSA on bespoke foam conversion services for UK industrial customers.
• Hardigg Cases (now part of Pelican/Peli): Industrial and military protective case brand integrated into the Peli group. Comparable to MSA on heavy-duty military and aerospace transport case offerings, competing within the same parent group.
• Petty's of Winsford (Petty's Foam): UK-based foam converter and fabricator supplying cut foam, packaging, and case interiors. Comparable to MSA as a domestic UK custom foam competitor serving similar industrial and commercial customers.

Broad incumbents

• Pelican Products (Peli Products): Parent brand and global leader in protective cases. Directly comparable because it produces the same Peli case portfolio that MSA customises, competing for end-customer protective-packaging spend on a broader, global scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/msa-foams

Compliance5 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 MSA Foams