Brainboxes
Brainboxes is a UK-based industrial connectivity hardware manufacturer, founded in 1984, that designs rugged Ethernet switches, Ethernet-to-serial converters, Remote I/O modules, and edge controllers to bridge legacy RS232/422/485 equipment onto modern TCP/IP networks for engineers and system integrators in factory automation, logistics, infrastructure monitoring, and agriculture.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersLiverpool, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Brainboxes does
Brainboxes Limited is a privately held UK designer and manufacturer of industrial data connectivity hardware, founded in 1984 and headquartered in Liverpool, with a wholly owned US subsidiary in Clearwater, Florida serving the Americas. The company builds rugged, DIN-rail mountable products that bridge legacy RS232/RS422/RS485 industrial equipment to modern TCP/IP networks and cloud platforms — spanning industrial Ethernet switches (Fast Ethernet, Gigabit, PoE, SFP, and the Hero 16-port line), Ethernet-to-serial converters (ES-511, ES-522, ES-551, ES-571), Remote I/O modules (digital, analog, temperature), USB-to-serial adapters, and BB-series edge controllers and PE-series embedded switches. Underlying technology includes proprietary in-house silicon — notably the LYNX custom ASIC, BB16CF950+/BB16PCI958 UART chips, and hardware Autogating for RS422/485 — produced under a Kaizen/Lean/6 Sigma continuous-improvement programme in place since 2004.
The company serves engineers, system integrators, and facility managers in factory automation, logistics/warehouse robotics, infrastructure/structural health monitoring, and agricultural technology, with named reference customers such as Accolade Measurement. Products carry a lifetime warranty (upon registration) and free lifetime technical support, and the company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Cyber Essentials, CE/UKCA, KCC, UL6268, and NDAA/TAA compliance, supporting sale into US federal and defense channels via contract vehicle 47QTCA23D009X. The 2025 Ecovadis Silver sustainability rating and 2026 inclusion in the Made Smarter North West steering group further institutionalise its position in UK industrial modernisation.
Brainboxes generates revenue primarily through hardware product sales via a direct e-commerce storefront (brainboxes.com), regional direct sales lines for Europe and the Americas, and a global network of 11 approved system integrator partners. Pricing is unit-based with per-product ASPs of approximately $75–$468 and explicit volume tiers for 100+, 500+, and 1,000+ unit orders routed through a request-a-quote flow, indicating a hybrid of small-order transactional sales and larger project/enterprise deployments. The company is founder/management-owned, has no disclosed external funding rounds, and operates with 11–50 employees.
Brainboxes firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Brainboxes
- Legal name
- Brainboxes Limited
- Website
- https://brainboxes.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Brainboxes is a UK-based industrial connectivity hardware manufacturer, founded in 1984, that designs rugged Ethernet switches, Ethernet-to-serial converters, Remote I/O modules, and edge controllers to bridge legacy RS232/422/485 equipment onto modern TCP/IP networks for engineers and system integrators in factory automation, logistics, infrastructure monitoring, and agriculture.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Brainboxes industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Networking Hardware
- NAICS
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Serial/Fieldbus-to-Ethernet Device Connectivity (Device Servers/Protocol Gateways) (HDAFAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Embedded Computers (Box PCs) (HDACALAF), Embedded & Industrial Network Interfaces (PCIe/M.2/SOM/SoC NICs) (HDAFAEAI)
Keywords
Where Brainboxes is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Liverpool
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Brainboxes business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware product sales: Brainboxes designs and manufactures rugged industrial data connectivity hardware (Ethernet switches, serial cards, Ethernet-to-serial devices, Remote I/O, Edge Controllers) sold as physical products through direct sales, e-commerce, and system integrator channels. Products are sold with a lifetime warranty upon registration and free lifetime technical support, creating long-term customer relationships and replacement-unit revenue over product lifecycles.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual product purchase — ES-511 Industrial Ethernet to Serial |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Volume purchase — bulk enterprise orders |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
Brainboxes product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Brainboxes designs and manufactures rugged industrial-grade data connectivity hardware — including industrial Ethernet switches, Ethernet-to-serial converters (RS232/RS422/RS485), Remote I/O modules, Edge Controllers, and USB-to-serial adapters — sold primarily through its own e-commerce storefront, regional direct sales teams, and an approved network of system integrator partners. Products are built with proprietary ASIC technology (LYNX), feature DIN-rail mounting and redundant power, and are backed by a lifetime warranty with free lifetime technical support.
Product overview
Brainboxes is a UK-based manufacturer of industrial data connectivity solutions with over 40 years of experience. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of rugged, industrial-grade products designed to bridge legacy equipment with modern factory floors. The core product lines include: Hero Ethernet 16 Port Switches as flagship industrial networking switches; the BB-400 Edge Controller and Industrial Edge Controllers for edge computing and IIoT gateway applications; Remote IO modules (Digital, Analog, Temperature) for real-time signal monitoring; Ethernet to Serial converters (ES series including ES-511, ES-522, ES-551, ES-571) enabling RS232/RS422/RS485 devices to connect over TCP/IP networks; and USB to Serial adapters for legacy connectivity. These products work together as an integrated industrial networking ecosystem where Edge Controllers aggregate data from Remote IO modules and Serial devices connected via Ethernet to Serial converters, all networked through industrial Ethernet switches, enabling smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 initiatives. The company provides lifetime warranties and free technical support across its core product ranges.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Industrial Ethernet Switches (Fast Ethernet, Gigabit, PoE, SFP)
Quantifiable outcome
- Supported over 2,400 manufacturers in AI, automation and digital technology adoption
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Brainboxes
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Brainboxes technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Brainboxes partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Made Smarter North WestflagshipBrainboxes joined the Made Smarter North West steering group alongside Liverpool City Region industry leaders to support SMEs adopting AI, automation, and digital technologies. Since 2019, the programme has supported over 2,400 manufacturers, secured £8.1 million in matched funding, and contributed £287 million to the North West economy. Brainboxes participates in helping small manufacturers modernise and improve productivity.
- ILM CreativecoreApproved system integrator partner specialising in automation and robotics consultancy. Provides installation and programming services for Brainboxes hardware solutions.
- IndiespringcoreApproved system integrator partner — IoT app developers. Provides software development and integration services for Brainboxes IoT hardware deployments.
- CCQ TechcoreApproved system integrator partner providing technology integration services for Brainboxes hardware deployments.
- Intelligent IndustriescoreApproved system integrator partner providing end-to-end solutions using Brainboxes technology for industrial automation projects.
- EasyODMcoreApproved system integrator partner — software developers providing Brainboxes hardware integration and custom software development services.
- OmleteccoreApproved system integrator partner — IT solutions provider with expertise in Brainboxes product integration.
- Automated TechnologiescoreApproved system integrator partner specialising in design and engineering services for Brainboxes hardware deployments.
- RGScoreApproved system integrator partner — software developers providing Brainboxes hardware integration services.
- Seiki SystemscoreApproved system integrator partner specialising in manufacturing execution solutions using Brainboxes technology.
- Products 4 AutomationcoreApproved system integrator partner providing automation project services for Brainboxes hardware installations.
- Lean Transition SolutionscoreApproved system integrator partner — software developers providing lean transformation and Brainboxes integration services.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Brainboxes competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Antaira Technologies: Antaira designs and manufactures industrial Ethernet switches, serial device servers, and media converters for harsh environments — a focused competitor to Brainboxes' OT networking and serial product lines.
- Lantronix: Lantronix sells IoT connectivity products, including serial device servers, console servers, and edge compute gateways — a direct match to Brainboxes' device server and edge controller product families.
- HMS Networks: HMS Networks (Anybus, Ewon, Ixxat) is a leader in industrial communication — protocol gateways, embedded communication interfaces, and remote access — directly comparable to Brainboxes' protocol-bridging core.
- Perle Systems: Perle specialises in serial-to-Ethernet device servers, terminal servers, and industrial Ethernet switches for harsh environments — a near-mirror of Brainboxes' Ethernet-to-serial and industrial switch portfolio.
- Digi (formerly Digi International): Digi provides serial connectivity, cellular IoT gateways, and edge computing hardware for industrial and enterprise use cases, competing head-on with Brainboxes' Ethernet-to-serial and IoT gateway offerings.
- Moxa: Moxa is the closest direct peer: a global manufacturer of industrial Ethernet switches, serial device servers, and protocol gateways serving factory automation and IIoT — overlapping Brainboxes' core product lines and customer base almost category-for-category.
Broad incumbents
- Phoenix Contact: Phoenix Contact is a broad industrial connectivity and automation incumbent offering switches, serial converters, I/O, and PLC-adjacent products; it overlaps with Brainboxes' range but as part of a much wider industrial portfolio.
- Advantech: Advantech is a global industrial computing and IoT platform with industrial Ethernet switches, edge gateways, and remote I/O — competing in the same end-markets as Brainboxes but with a much broader embedded computing portfolio.
- Weidmüller: Weidmüller is a broad industrial connectivity and electronics incumbent with Ethernet switches, serial converters, and I/O components that overlap Brainboxes' product lines, typically as part of larger cabinet-automation solutions.
- Belden (Hirschmann): Belden's Hirschmann line is an established industrial networking brand offering rugged managed/unmanaged Ethernet switches and serial products — a broader incumbent in the same OT Ethernet category as Brainboxes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Brainboxes social profiles
Digital presenceBrainboxes compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
Brainboxes financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Brainboxes leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Brainboxes subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Brainboxes funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Brainboxes M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Brainboxes
What does Brainboxes do?
Brainboxes designs and manufactures rugged industrial-grade data connectivity hardware — including industrial Ethernet switches, Ethernet-to-serial converters (RS232/RS422/RS485), Remote I/O modules, Edge Controllers, and USB-to-serial adapters — sold primarily through its own e-commerce storefront, regional direct sales teams, and an approved network of system integrator partners. Products are built with proprietary ASIC technology (LYNX), feature DIN-rail mounting and redundant power, and are backed by a lifetime warranty with free lifetime technical support.
Is Brainboxes a public or private company?
Brainboxes is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Brainboxes founded?
Brainboxes was founded in 1984. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Brainboxes based?
Brainboxes is headquartered in Liverpool, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Brainboxes make money?
One revenue line is on record: hardware product sales.
Who are Brainboxes's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Antaira Technologies, Lantronix, HMS Networks, Perle Systems, Digi (formerly Digi International) and Moxa. Broad incumbents are Phoenix Contact, Advantech, Weidmüller and Belden (Hirschmann).
Does Brainboxes have an API?
Yes. Brainboxes provides software APIs for controlling Ethernet to Serial devices. The documentation at docs.brainboxes.com includes SDK/samples for Visual Basic and C# programming languages. Serial Port Tunnelling (peer to peer) allows serial cable replacement over any distance with no software required. Devices support Virtual COM ports, TCP/IP communication, and Serial Port Tunnelling modes. Developer documentation is at docs.brainboxes.com.
What industry is Brainboxes in?
Brainboxes's product category is Industrial Networking Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAFAJAF, Serial/Fieldbus-to-Ethernet Device Connectivity (Device Servers/Protocol Gateways), with a secondary code of HDACALAF, Industrial Embedded Computers (Box PCs). Its NAICS code is 33429 and its SIC code is 3576.