What Johnson & Allen does

Johnson & Allen Ltd is a family-owned British designer and manufacturer of non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment, founded in Sheffield in 1938 by Lawrence Johnson. The company specializes in two NDT methods — Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) and Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI) — and offers standard equipment, bespoke inspection lines, consumables, calibration, refurbishment, rental, and training-related services. It operates from a single manufacturing headquarters at Neocol Works, Smithfield, Sheffield (S3 7AR) after closing its Scotland office in July 2024, and is led today by Managing Director Melanie Robinson and Director Simon Johnson with a compact director team. The company serves aerospace, nuclear and power generation, oil and gas, military, automotive, rail, metals and general engineering customers across the United Kingdom and through independent distributors in at least twelve countries (UK, Ireland, Italy, France, Pakistan, Australia, Lithuania, Ghana, Iraq, Malta and Libya).

The product portfolio spans portable electromagnetic yokes (JAY, JAYSON and JAYMI — the JAYMI weighs 2.3 kg with over 4.5 kg lift strength), bench units and high-output power packs (including the K9 delivering up to 10,000 A), demagnetisers, dye penetrant dip lines, UV inspection lamps (NeoVU-4, Titan UV-A floodlight), and gauss meters including the in-house DigiGauss DG1 digital magnetometer and the FW Bell 5200 series (5270/5280) launched in May 2023. Differentiated technology includes the AC-EAZY Powerbelt architecture that converts 12 V DC battery power into 110 V AC for portable MPI while preserving the AC "skin effect" for defect detection clarity (with filed patents UK 1117266.5, GB 1212644.7 and US 2013088220A1), and the Plato-3 control and monitoring system that delivers auto-regulated current, programmable job sequencing, barcode-driven code loading, and Wi-Fi/USB data output for traceability. Proprietary consumables such as Neocol B inks and Neopaint 2 white contrast paints anchor recurring revenue alongside the equipment base.

The business model combines one-time equipment sales (yokes typically priced at approximately £450, consumables kits at £99.99, bespoke inspection lines quoted per specification with multi-year contract cadence) with recurring consumables pull, a UKAS-accredited calibration laboratory under ISO/IEC 17025:2017, refurbishment and Plato-2 to Plato-3 upgrade services, a rental offering introduced in 2018, and custom-engineered inspection lines. Customers are reached through a direct technical sales team at the Sheffield headquarters and a global network of independent distributors and stockists (RSL NDT, Testrade, Walsh Engineering, Dimart, Ixtrem, Oriental Engineers, Russell Fraser Sales, Technuva, Charto Golden, Al Miayar, Tektraco among others). Industry exhibitions (BINDT Annual Conference, Materials Testing exhibitions, aerospace events), the company website, email and a Twitter account (joined March 2018) form the principal marketing mix. The quality management system is registered by BSI (FM09387) to ISO 9001:2015, with Cyber Essentials certification added in January 2023.

Name

Johnson & Allen

Legal name

Johnson & Allen Ltd

Website

https://johnsonandallen.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Johnson & Allen is a family-owned Sheffield manufacturer, founded 1938, that designs and produces magnetic particle and dye penetrant inspection equipment, consumables and UKAS-accredited calibration services for non-destructive testing across aerospace, nuclear, oil and gas and general engineering customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Destructive Testing Equipment

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

NDT/NDE Inspection Equipment (Ultrasonic, eddy current, radiography, thermography) (IMAGAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

NDT/Inspection & Testing Services (Aviation) (IMABALAJ)

Keywords

• Magnetic particle inspection
• Dye penetrant inspection
• Non-destructive testing
• Crack detection equipment
• NDT consumables

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheffield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. NDT Equipment Sales: One-time sale of MPI and DPI equipment including yokes, bench units, power packs, demagnetisers, inspection lamps, gauss meters, and complete inspection lines. Both standard and bespoke configurations available.
2. Consumables: Recurring sales of MPI and DPI consumables including magnetic inks, white contrast paints, dye penetrants, developers, and aerosol products (Neocol B, Neopaint 2).
3. Calibration Services: UKAS-accredited calibration laboratory providing calibration services for gauss meters, light meters, and other NDT equipment. Calibration certificates traceable to national standards.
4. Refurbishment and Repair: Services for repairing and refurbishing existing NDT equipment including Plato-2 to Plato-3 system upgrades.
5. Rental Equipment: NDT equipment rental service for customers needing temporary access to equipment.
6. Bespoke Solutions: Custom-designed and manufactured NDT systems for specific customer requirements including automated inspection lines and specialized equipment configurations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Johnson & Allen is a British manufacturer of Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) and Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI) equipment for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). The company designs and manufactures standard and bespoke systems including dye penetrant lines, MPI bench units and power packs, handheld UV lights, electromagnetic yokes, gauss meters, and an extensive range of magnetic particle and dye penetrant consumables (white contrast paints, magnetic inks, dye penetrants, developers). It also operates a UKAS-accredited calibration laboratory and offers refurbishment, repair, rental, and degaussing services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) Equipment Standard and bespoke Magnetic Particle Inspection systems including electromagnetic yokes (JAY, JAYSON, JAYMI series), MPI bench units, power packs, demagnetisers, and complete inspection lines for crack detection in ferromagnetic materials. Served to aerospace, nuclear, oil and gas, automotive, rail and general engineering customers.
• Dye Penetrant Inspection (DPI) Equipment Standard and bespoke Dye Penetrant Inspection systems including complete dye penetrant lines (e.g. liquid penetrant dip line for inspecting commercial aircraft landing gear wheels), inspection lamps, and process stations for surface-breaking defect detection. Supplied to aerospace and industrial customers.
• Plato-3 Control & Monitoring MPI System Advanced control and monitoring system for MPI bench units and power packs featuring auto-regulated current, programmable job sequences, Quick Break/Quick Make functionality, Code Loader barcode scanner integration, and Wi-Fi/USB data output for documented traceability.
• JAYMI Lightweight Magnetic Yoke Next-generation portable electromagnetic yoke weighing only 2.3kg including cable, available in 110V and 230V versions, developed for portable MPI in field or at-height applications. Achieves >4.5kg lift strength at 100-150mm spacing.
• FW Bell 5200 Series Gauss Meters (5270 and 5280) Next-generation Hall effect portable gaussmeters with touch screen controls, Li-ion rechargeable battery, USB communication, auto zero, min/max/peak hold, and digital signal processing technology with basic accuracy up to 1%. Models 5270 and 5280 replace the older 5170 and 5180 units; ideal for verifying magnetisation techniques in MPI.
• DigiGauss DG1 Digital Field Indicator In-house designed digital pocket magnetometer with OLED display, Quick Scan Gauss trip function with visual alerts, deflection needle display mode mimicking analogue devices, zero chamber function, and on-startup display of last calibration date and serial number with 0.1 Gauss resolution.
• JAY-PAC Battery-Powered MPI Yoke System (AC-EAZY Powerbelt) Self-contained body mounted MPI AC system that converts 12V DC battery power into 110V AC for portable electromagnetic yoke operation while maintaining the AC 'skin effect' for optimal defect detection clarity, with a waveform generator that mimics normal mains AC supply versus pulsed DC alternatives. Patent filings include UK 1117266.5, GB 1212644.7, and US 2013088220A1.
• Bespoke NDT Solutions Custom-designed and manufactured NDT systems for specific customer requirements including automated inspection lines and specialised equipment configurations such as the K9 High Output Power Pack built to customer requirements with outputs from 3,000A to 10,000A.
• UV-A Inspection Lamps (NeoVU-4 and Titan UV-A Floodlight) UV inspection lamps for fluorescent MPI inspection processes including the NeoVU-4 inspection lamp and the Titan UV-A floodlight for larger area fluorescent inspection.
• MPI and DPI Consumables Recurring consumable product range including magnetic inks (Neocol B black ink aerosol), white contrast paints (Neopaint 2), dye penetrants, developers, paint remover/degreaser (1ES), wire brushes, lint-free wipes, and Hoffmann TAM Panels approved for DPI system performance checks by Delta Air Lines and Rolls Royce.
• UKAS-Accredited Calibration Services UKAS-accredited calibration laboratory operating to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 providing calibration services for gauss meters, light meters, and other NDT equipment with calibration certificates traceable to national standards.
• NDT Equipment Refurbishment and Repair Repair and refurbishment services for existing NDT equipment including Plato-2 to Plato-3 system upgrades, extending the life of Johnson & Allen and third-party MPI/DPI installations.
• NDT Equipment Rental Service Rental service providing customers with temporary access to Johnson & Allen NDT equipment without purchase commitment.
• Degaussing Services Degaussing service providing demagnetisation of components after MPI inspection.

Quantifiable outcome

• JAYMI yoke achieves >4.5kg lift strength at 100-150mm spacing while weighing only 2.3kg
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RSL NDT LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016UK-based NDT equipment stockist located in Aberdeen, Scotland. Specializes in serving the oil and gas sector. Contact: Elsa Ingram. Provides local sales and support for Johnson & Allen products in the Aberdeen area.
• Testrade LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016NDT equipment stockist based in Watford, Hertfordshire, UK. Contact: Wendy Gardner. Provides distribution of Johnson & Allen products in the southeast England region.
• Walsh Engineering Supplies LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016Engineering supplies company based in Newtwopothouse, County Cork, Republic of Ireland. Contact: Denis Walsh. Distributes Johnson & Allen products in the Republic of Ireland.
• Kellys Welding & Engineering SuppliescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016Welding and engineering supplies company in Cookstown Industrial Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. Contact: Barry Kelly. Distributes Johnson & Allen products in the Dublin area.
• Dimart SrlcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016Italian NDT equipment distributor based in Sedriano, Milan. Contact: Laura Siciliano. Provides distribution of Johnson & Allen products throughout Italy.
• IxtremcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016French distributor operating as Innovations Extremes Technologies & Recherche in Sassenay, France. Contact: Eric. Distributes Johnson & Allen products in France.
• Oriental Engineers (PVT) LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016Pakistani NDT equipment distributor based in Gulberg, Lahore. Contact: Syed Tufail Hussain. Distributes Johnson & Allen products in Pakistan.
• Russell Fraser Sales PTYcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016Australian NDT equipment distributor based in Heathcote, NSW. Contact: Russel Fraser. Distributes Johnson & Allen products in Australia.
• Technuva LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016Lithuanian NDT distributor based in Klaipeda. Contact: Vygantas Pakalniskis. Distributes Johnson & Allen products in Lithuania and Baltic region.
• Charto GoldencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016Ghanaian distributor based in Tarkwa. Contact: Charlotte Millar. Distributes Johnson & Allen products in Ghana.
• Al Miayar Engineering Co.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016Iraqi NDT equipment distributor based in Basra. Contact: Zainab H. Habeeb. Distributes Johnson & Allen products in Iraq.
• TektracocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2016Multi-office distributor covering Malta (Birkirkara, San Gwann) and Libya (Tripoli). Contact: Marcus Abela. Distributes Johnson & Allen products in Malta and Libya markets.
• Lavender InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDT training school with UK head office in Penistone, Sheffield, and operations globally. Provides PCN certification training programs. Recommended on Johnson & Allen website as a training provider for NDT personnel certification.
• IMechE Training SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitution of Mechanical Engineers Training Solutions providing NDT and coatings training programs. Based at Sheffield Business Park on Europa View. Recommended on Johnson & Allen website as a training provider.
• University of Sheffield Management SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBA program cooperation for internationalisation challenge project in 2017. MBA students researched NDT export markets and developed internationalisation strategy recommendations for Johnson & Allen.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Magnaflux: Global leader in MPI and DPI NDT equipment, consumables, and accessories, part of ITW. Direct competitor to Johnson & Allen across yokes, power packs, ink consumables, and inspection lamps with broader product range and global brand recognition.
• Parker Research Corp: US manufacturer specializing in magnetic particle inspection equipment including yokes, gauss meters, and MPI accessories. Comparable niche specialty manufacturer competing with J&A in aerospace and general engineering NDT markets.
• Circle Systems: Manufacturer of MPI and DPI consumables including magnetic inks, contrast paints, and penetrants. Direct competitor to J&A's consumables business, particularly Neocol B and Neopaint 2 product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Sonatest: UK-based NDT equipment manufacturer with broader portfolio including ultrasonic flaw detectors, thickness gauges, and phased array systems. Competes with J&A in the same UK NDT market with wider method coverage.
• Mistras Group: Global NDT products and services company offering ultrasonic, acoustic emission, and visual inspection along with inspection services. Competes with J&A in aerospace and infrastructure markets.
• Waygate Technologies (Baker Hughes): Major industrial inspection solutions provider offering ultrasonic, radiographic, and visual NDT equipment. Aerospace and industrial customer base overlaps with J&A, with much broader product portfolio.
• Evident (formerly Olympus Industrial): Global NDT equipment leader offering ultrasonic, eddy current, radiographic, and visual inspection systems. Competes broadly with J&A in aerospace and industrial NDT, particularly for customers seeking multi-method suppliers.

Regional players

• Helmut Fischer: German manufacturer of coating thickness measurement, material analysis, and magnetic field measurement instruments including gauss meters. Competes with J&A in gauss meter and field measurement segments, particularly in European aerospace and automotive markets.
• Buehler (ITW): Sister company to Magnaflux under ITW, focused on metallographic and hardness testing equipment with some NDT consumables overlap. Comparable specialty industrial testing equipment manufacturer with broader scope.

Emerging players

• NDT Equipment Sales / Atlantic Battery Systems: NDT distributor and equipment provider focused on batteries, yokes, and portable inspection equipment. Regional competitor in North America with overlapping consumables and yoke offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/janda_ltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/johnsonandallen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/johnson-allen-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Johnson & Allen