Custom Covers
Custom Covers is a Southampton-based UK manufacturer of aluminium-framed marquees (Coverspan Plus), PVC covers, and decorative interior linings serving over 700 event, industrial, agricultural, military, and glamping customers in the UK, Europe, and USA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersSouthampton, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Custom Covers does
Custom Covers (1984) Ltd is a Southampton, UK-based manufacturer of aluminium-framed marquees, PVC covers, and decorative interior linings, primarily serving the events industry and extending into industrial, agricultural, military, aerospace, and alternative-accommodation end-markets. The company's core technology is its proprietary "Coverspan Plus" 4-channel aluminium extrusion system with galvanised steel connectors, manufactured in-house across three PVC production lofts equipped with 10 high-frequency welders spread over seven welding beds (including a claimed longest-in-UK 40m bed), two computer-controlled cutting tables, and CAD design capability using AutoCAD and SolidWorks. Output includes 650gsm fire-retardant PVC covers in widths from 3m to 40m, decorative linings in 35 CQ-brand colours, LED starlight linings, condensation-barrier systems, and bespoke industrial covers ranging from scaffolding sheeting to twin-skin biogas storage domes.
The business model combines one-time capital-equipment sales (marquee structures, PVC covers, glamping tents, scaffolding covers) with a recurring B2B-only hire service for decorative linings and bespoke engineering projects on behalf of named customers including Airbus, British Antarctic Survey, Amazon Prime (The Grand Tour), Wetherspoons, Bath Rugby via Arena Seating, and television productions (Great British Bake Off). Pricing is primarily quote-based with disclosed entry pricing on a small number of glamping SKUs (A-Frame from £7,850; conversion kit from £4,950); distribution is via a dedicated UK direct sales team, an online shop for standard items, and export channels supplying all standard European and US marquee manufacturers.
The customer base exceeds 700 active accounts spanning small marquee operators through large event-industry enterprises (Arena Events Services Group, G L Events, Danco International, Acorn Scaffolding), with vertical segmentation across events (primary), industrial/corporate, agricultural, glamping/hospitality, and military/government. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, is a member of MUTA (Made-Up Textile Association), and operates from a single Southampton manufacturing headquarters under family ownership with a management team (Simon Bell, Chairman; Andrew Guest, Managing Director; Vaughn Coutts, Sales; John Cowen, Technical; Malcolm Carnegie, Production) holding over 100 years of combined industry experience.
Custom Covers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Custom Covers
- Legal name
- Custom Covers (1984) Ltd
- Website
- https://customcovers.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Custom Covers is a Southampton-based UK manufacturer of aluminium-framed marquees (Coverspan Plus), PVC covers, and decorative interior linings serving over 700 event, industrial, agricultural, military, and glamping customers in the UK, Europe, and USA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Custom Covers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marquee and Temporary Structure Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (337), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351)
- SIC
- Prefabricated Metal Buildings & Components (3448), Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Moldings & Trim (3442)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Event Signage, Props & Custom Installations (HSACAOAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Protective & Work Accessories Manufacturing (Safety Gloves/Hi-Vis Accessories) (IMAOAFAH)
Keywords
Where Custom Covers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Southampton
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Custom Covers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Marquee Structure Sales: Sale of aluminium frame marquee structures including standard, cone, and extension modules for the event industry.
- PVC Covers Manufacturing: Custom PVC covers manufactured for their own Coverspan range as well as all standard marquee manufacturers in Europe and USA. Available in 3m to 40m widths.
- Linings Hire Services: Hiring decorative marquee linings to event trade businesses. Stock includes LED starlight linings, blackout linings, pleated linings, flat linings, and finishing touches.
- Glamping Tent Sales: Sale of A-frame and curved glamping tents starting from £7,850, with conversion kits available from £4,950.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | A-Frame Glamping Tent 5m x 9m Complete |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | A-Frame Glamping Conversion Kit |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Linings Hire (Businesses Only) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Custom Covers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Custom Covers designs, manufactures, and supplies bespoke marquee structures (Coverspan Plus system), PVC covers (walls, roofs, clear/gable, windows, branding), decorative and LED starlight linings, glamping structures, and industrial fabric covers for events, agriculture, military, and construction clients. The company also hires linings to businesses and offers full design, manufacture, and installation under ISO 9001:2015 quality standards.
Product overview
Custom Covers is a UK-based manufacturer of marquees, PVC covers, and decorative linings operating as a single integrated product portfolio. The core offering consists of Coverspan Plus aluminium frame marquee structures (3m to 15m widths) with modular 4-channel extrusion systems, complemented by an extensive range of PVC covers (walls, roofs, clear panels, windows, cones) manufactured from 650gsm fire-retardant PVC. Interior decorative linings include pleated, flat, and starlight (LED) options available in 35 colours with flame retardancy to BS 5867 part 2 type B. The product range extends to glamping tent structures, industrial covers (staging, scaffolding, agricultural, military), and hire services for linings. Manufacturing capabilities include CAD design, computer-controlled cutting tables, and 10 high-frequency welders including a 40m welding bed. The company serves both direct purchase and rental markets with over 700 active customers in the events industry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Coverspan Plus: The trademark under which all Custom Covers structures are built. Features high quality 4-channel aluminium extrusions with galvanised steel connections.
Products and services
- Coverspan Plus Standard Marquee Structures
- Cone Structures (Pagoda Extensions)
- Marquee Extensions Modular marquee extensions including porches and canopies that extend or adapt standard Coverspan Plus marquees for entrances, walkways, and additional covered areas.
- Marquee Flooring
- Marquee Extras (Walling, Stalls and Accessories)
- PVC Cover Range (Walls, Roofs, Clear and Gable)
- PVC Windows
- PVC Printing and Branding
- Condensation Barrier Roof Lining System
- Decorative Marquee Linings
- Starlight LED Marquee Linings
- Transform It Venue Transformation System
- B2B Linings Hire Service
- Glamping Structures (A-Frame and Curved)
- Industrial Stage Covers
- Scaffolding Covers
- Pub Canopies
- Geodesic Domes
- Container Solutions
- Bespoke Fabric Covers
- Military Shelters
- Agricultural Covers
Quantifiable outcome
- U value reduction from 5 to 0.65 W/m2 K with condensation barrier system
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Custom Covers
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Custom Covers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Custom Covers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Arena SeatingminorProduced temporary Grand Stand structure for Bath Rugby club in collaboration with Arena Seating.
- Biogas Products LtdminorPartnership for delivery of twin skin biogas storage holders and water industry aeration covers.
- Chump ProductionsminorProduced portable studio tent structure for Amazon Prime Video series The Grand Tour.
- Airbus UK LtdminorProduced durable wing cover for Airbus operations in the UK.
- British Antarctic SurveyminorDeveloped innovative weather protection system for British Antarctic Survey ice drill rig.
- WetherspoonsminorManufactured bespoke pop-up bar from disused shipping container for Wetherspoons pubs.
- Imagination EuropeminorDeveloped portable container canopy structure that can be easily dismantled and stored within container during transport.
- BoxparkminorInnovative spaces using shipping containers. Custom Covers developed fittings for attaching canopies using universal ISO corner castings.
- MUTAminorTrade association for Made Up textile manufacturers. Custom Covers is a member of MUTA.
- Lloyd's Register Quality AssuranceminorAwarded ISO 9001:2015 certification following recommendation from Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Custom Covers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- GL Events: Global event services group providing structures, seating and integrated event services. Larger incumbent that supplies temporary structures in-house but overlaps with Custom Covers in marquee structures (and is also a customer).
Direct peers
- HTS Höcker: German-based marquee and tent manufacturer. Direct competitor in aluminium frame marquees; listed OEM partner supplied with Custom Covers PVC covers.
- Röder HTS: Major German prefabricated marquee and temporary structure manufacturer with multi-decade heritage. Directly competes with Custom Covers in aluminium frame marquees across Europe; also one of Custom Covers' OEM cover customers.
- Losberger: German manufacturer of large temporary and semi-permanent structures (formerly Losberger De Boer). Competes head-to-head with Custom Covers in event and industrial marquee structures; OEM cover customer.
- De Boer: International marquee and temporary structure provider with deep European footprint. Direct competitor in mid- to large-size event marquees; OEM cover customer of Custom Covers.
- Barkers Marquees: UK marquee manufacturer and hire company. Direct UK competitor for frame marquees and a current OEM cover customer of Custom Covers.
- Walu: German manufacturer of marquees and event structures. Directly overlaps with Custom Covers' Coverspan Plus range; OEM cover customer.
- Walter: German marquee manufacturer whose frames are compatible with Custom Covers' PVC covers. Direct competitor in event and industrial temporary structures.
- Tectonics UK: UK-based marquee manufacturer serving the domestic event hire market. Closest UK head-to-head competitor for Custom Covers' marquee structures.
Emerging players
- Anchor Industries: US manufacturer of fabric structures, tents and industrial covers. Partial overlap with Custom Covers' industrial covers and PVC manufacturing capability, particularly in scaffolding and event applications in North America.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Custom Covers social profiles
Digital presenceCustom Covers compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Custom Covers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Custom Covers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Custom Covers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Custom Covers 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 Custom Covers
What does Custom Covers do?
Custom Covers designs, manufactures, and supplies bespoke marquee structures (Coverspan Plus system), PVC covers (walls, roofs, clear/gable, windows, branding), decorative and LED starlight linings, glamping structures, and industrial fabric covers for events, agriculture, military, and construction clients. The company also hires linings to businesses and offers full design, manufacture, and installation under ISO 9001:2015 quality standards.
Is Custom Covers a public or private company?
Custom Covers is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Custom Covers founded?
Custom Covers was founded in 1984. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Custom Covers based?
Custom Covers is headquartered in Southampton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Custom Covers make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Marquee Structure Sales are the primary driver. The others are PVC Covers Manufacturing, linings Hire Services and glamping Tent Sales.
Who are Custom Covers's main competitors?
GL Events is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are HTS Höcker, Röder HTS, Losberger, De Boer, Barkers Marquees, Walu, Walter and Tectonics UK. Anchor Industries is listed as an emerging player.
Does Custom Covers have an API?
No public API is recorded for Custom Covers.
What industry is Custom Covers in?
Custom Covers's product category is Marquee and Temporary Structure Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACAOAG, Event Signage, Props & Custom Installations, with a secondary code of IMAOAFAH, Protective & Work Accessories Manufacturing (Safety Gloves/Hi-Vis Accessories). Its NAICS code is 337 and its SIC code is 3448.