RDS
RDS is a U.S.-based authorized service provider for radiation detection systems, selling, installing, and servicing Radcomm, Ludlum, SAIC, and Thermo portal monitors and handheld units for scrap, foundry, waste, hospital, and port operators across 40+ states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersEl Cajon, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What RDS does
RDS (Radiation Detection Services Inc.) is a U.S.-based, privately held provider of radiation detection systems focused on the sale, service, and installation of portal monitors and handheld units for industrial and healthcare end-markets. Its core product and service portfolio spans Radcomm and Ludlum portal monitor systems (authorized service provider for both), the SAIC (Exploranium) and Thermo (Bicron) product lines, calibration check sources (Cs-137 plastic discs), site assessments, customized installations, annual calibration and preventative maintenance compliant with 10 CFR part 835.401(b), and SWANA-accredited radiation safety and instrumentation training.
The company's revenue model is overwhelmingly professional services and project-based hardware resale: it quotes site assessments within 24 hours, performs on-site installation and calibration, and offers annual, bi-monthly, and quarterly service agreements; check sources are sold as discrete SKUs (e.g., Cs-137, 10uCi at $150 plus tax). RDS goes to market through a sales-led, relationship-driven motion in which the CEO personally manages new and existing client relationships, supported by field technicians who deliver on-site services.
RDS is headquartered in the San Diego/El Cajon, California area, operates with 1-10 employees, and reports a service footprint covering more than 40 U.S. states. Its customer base is concentrated in metal recycling/scrap yards, foundries, waste facilities, hospitals, and port/logistics operations, with scrap/metal recycling and foundry operations flagged as primary verticals. The company is bootstrapped, founder-managed by CEO Ryan Prettyman and COO Danny Owens, and holds RIOS supplier certification plus American Foundry Society membership.
RDS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RDS
- Legal name
- Radiation Detection Services Inc.
- Website
- https://radiationds.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- RDS is a U.S.-based authorized service provider for radiation detection systems, selling, installing, and servicing Radcomm, Ludlum, SAIC, and Thermo portal monitors and handheld units for scrap, foundry, waste, hospital, and port operators across 40+ states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RDS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Radiation Detection Services and Equipment
- NAICS
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (81121), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210)
- SIC
- Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors) (EUAKAIAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Radiation Measurement, Dosimetry & Monitoring Services (Personal/environmental dosimetry, calibration labs) (EUAKAIAH), Radiation Exposure Monitoring (Ionizing/Non-Ionizing) (EUAHAGAE), Radiation Safety, Dosimetry & Regulatory Compliance (Nuclear Medicine) (HLAIAGAJ)
Keywords
Where RDS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- El Cajon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
RDS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Calibration Services: Annual calibration and preventative maintenance services for radiation detectors per 10 CFR part 835.401(b) regulation. Includes minor repair, troubleshooting, and ANSI-compliant calibration certificates. Also offers bi-monthly and quarterly service agreements.
- Installation Services: Customized installations of portal monitor systems by trained technicians acting as both service provider and consultant at every stage of equipment installation
- Training Services: Site and industry-specific radiation safety and instrumentation trainings covering basic radiation concepts, ALARA, NORM, detector operation and maintenance. Includes SWANA continuing education credits.
- Check Source Sales: Sale of check sources - plastic disc radioactive calibration sources. Standard pricing: Cs-137, 10uCi at $150 plus applicable tax
- Site Assessment Services: Site assessments to help customers determine appropriate radiation detector type based on their specific site needs, material types, and operational processes. Quotes provided within 24 hours.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Check Source - Cs-137, 10uCi |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
RDS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RDS (Radiation Detection Services Inc.) sells, services, and installs radiation detection systems — principally portal monitors and handheld units from manufacturers such as Radcomm, Ludlum, SAIC (Exploranium), and Thermo (Bicron) — for scrap, foundry, waste, hospital, and port facility customers across more than 40 U.S. states. The company also delivers site assessments, ANSI-compliant annual calibration and preventative maintenance under 10 CFR part 835.401(b), customized installations, and onsite radiation safety training with SWANA continuing education credits.
Product overview
RDS provides a comprehensive suite of radiation detection products and services for scrap, foundry, waste, and hospital industries. The core service offering includes site assessments, annual calibration and preventative maintenance (compliant with 10 CFR part 835.401(b)), customized installations, and operator trainings worth SWANA continuing education credits. RDS is an authorized service provider for Radcomm portal monitor systems (including the RC series models and Cricket crane-mounted system) and Ludlum portal monitors (the 4525 and 3500 series), which they sell, service, and install. The product portfolio is complemented by Check Sources (calibration verification discs containing Cs-137 radioactive material). RDS services equipment from multiple manufacturers including Radcomm, Ludlum, SAIC (Exploranium), and Thermo (Bicron), supporting clients across over 40 states.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Radcomm Portal Monitor Systems Authorized sales, installation, and service of Radcomm radiation portal monitor systems for the scrap and foundry industries, including four traditional side-by-side detector models (RC2069, RC4069, RC2138, RC4138) distinguished by detector size (69 or 138 liters) and software series (2000 or 4000), plus the specialized 'Cricket' crane-mounted system for scanning containers and rail cars during loading/unloading.
- Ludlum Portal Monitor Systems Authorized sales, installation, and service of Ludlum radiation portal monitors for scrap and waste facilities, including the 4525 series (4525-5000, 4525-7000, 4525-14000) with varying detector sizes for different vehicle types, and the 3500 series (3500-1000, 3500-3000) for waste industry applications.
- Check Sources Plastic disc check sources containing small quantities of sealed radioactive material (Cs-137, 10uCi) used for radiation detector calibration verification, available in 1-inch and 2-inch diameter formats at $150 standard pricing.
- Site Assessment Site evaluation service in which trained technicians assess customer needs, determine appropriate detector types based on materials and delivery methods, recommend optimal placement locations, and provide quotes within 24 hours.
- Annual Calibration and Preventative Maintenance Annual calibration service compliant with 10 CFR part 835.401(b) regulation, including minor repair, troubleshooting, ANSI-compliant calibration certificates, and preventative maintenance measures such as sealing detector box holes, checking sensor alignment, and cable inspections.
- Installations Customized installation of portal monitor systems by trained technicians, providing both service and consulting throughout the equipment installation process.
- Trainings Onsite radiation safety and instrumentation training covering topics including basic radiation concepts, ALARA principles, NORM, radiation instrumentation, and detector maintenance, with SWANA continuing education credits available.
Quantifiable outcome
- Radcomm 4000 series software is approximately 20% more efficient than 2000 series in energy detection
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use RDS
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
RDS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
RDS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- RadcommcoreRDS is an authorized service provider for Radcomm portal monitor systems and handheld units. Services include installation, calibration, maintenance, and repair of Radcomm equipment including RC2069, RC4069, RC2138, RC4138, and Cricket grapple-mounted systems.
- Ludlum MeasurementscoreRDS is an authorized service provider for Ludlum portal monitor systems. Expertise with 4525 series (4525-5000, 4525-7000, 4525-14000) and 3500 series systems for scrap, foundry, and waste facilities.
- SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America)coreRDS trainings are now worth continuing education credits through SWANA, providing professional certification value for radiation safety professionals.
Scale indicators2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
RDS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Radcomm Systems: Designer and manufacturer of radiation portal monitors for the scrap and foundry industries. RDS is an authorized service provider for Radcomm, making Radcomm the closest comparable in installed-base and customer overlap, though Radcomm is also a supplier to RDS.
- Ludlum Measurements: Manufacturer of handheld and portal radiation detection systems widely used in scrap and waste facilities. RDS distributes and services Ludlum's 4525 and 3500 series, putting the two in direct operational contact with the same customer base.
- Protean Instrument: Designer and manufacturer of radiation detection and measurement instruments for industrial and laboratory use. Comparable as a focused radiation instrumentation specialist serving similar end markets to RDS.
- Radiation Safety & Control Services (RSCS): Independent radiation safety, instrumentation, and calibration services provider serving nuclear, medical, and industrial clients. Directly comparable service-led model with multi-OEM expertise similar to RDS.
- S.E. International: Manufacturer of handheld radiation detection instruments widely used by scrap recyclers, first responders, and laboratories. Comparable niche focus on portable radiation detection serving overlapping verticals.
- Arrow-Tech: Specialist manufacturer of radiation detection instruments for the scrap metal and recycling industry. Closely comparable to RDS in target customer and use case, with overlapping portal-monitor and handheld offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bicron): Global scientific instrumentation conglomerate whose Bicron division supplies radiation detection products and services. Comparable as an incumbent with overlapping radiation detection offerings, but operating across many other scientific and clinical segments.
- Smiths Detection: Global provider of threat detection and screening technologies including radiation portal monitors for ports and borders. Comparable at the radiation-detection technology level, though Smiths operates across aviation, urban security, and defense.
- Mirion Technologies: Large diversified provider of radiation detection, dosimetry, and nuclear measurement solutions across medical, industrial, and defense markets. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering overlapping capabilities, though Mirion operates at a much larger scale and product breadth.
Emerging players
- Nucsafe: Specialist in radiation monitoring systems for the scrap metal, foundry, and security markets. Comparable as a niche radiation-detection provider with overlapping customer base, though with a stronger product-OEM orientation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
RDS social profiles
Digital presenceRDS compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
RDS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RDS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
RDS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RDS 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 RDS
What does RDS do?
RDS (Radiation Detection Services Inc.) sells, services, and installs radiation detection systems — principally portal monitors and handheld units from manufacturers such as Radcomm, Ludlum, SAIC (Exploranium), and Thermo (Bicron) — for scrap, foundry, waste, hospital, and port facility customers across more than 40 U.S. states. The company also delivers site assessments, ANSI-compliant annual calibration and preventative maintenance under 10 CFR part 835.401(b), customized installations, and onsite radiation safety training with SWANA continuing education credits.
Is RDS a public or private company?
RDS is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was RDS founded?
RDS was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is RDS based?
RDS is headquartered in El Cajon, United States, in the North America region.
How does RDS make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Calibration Services are the primary driver. The others are installation Services, training Services, check Source Sales and site Assessment Services.
Who are RDS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Radcomm Systems, Ludlum Measurements, Protean Instrument, Radiation Safety & Control Services (RSCS), S.E. International and Arrow-Tech. Broad incumbents are Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bicron), Smiths Detection and Mirion Technologies. Nucsafe is listed as an emerging player.
Does RDS have an API?
No public API is recorded for RDS.
What industry is RDS in?
RDS's product category is Radiation Detection Services and Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAKAIAK, Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors), with a secondary code of EUAKAIAH, Radiation Measurement, Dosimetry & Monitoring Services (Personal/environmental dosimetry, calibration labs). Its NAICS code is 81121 and its SIC code is 3829.