SGS Gases

What SGS Gases does

SGS Gases, legally South West Gas Supplies Limited (Co. No. 07259344), is a UK-based industrial gas supplier headquartered at Poplar Farm, Eastertown, Lympsham, Somerset. Founded in 2010 and operating with 11-50 employees, the company distributes welding gases (CO2/Argon mixes, Pure Argon, Argolium, Oxygen), oxy-fuel systems (Pro Fuel / 100% Propylene paired with oxygen, plus complete kits, regulators, nozzles, and torches), nitrogen and AirCon testing products (Oxygen-Free Nitrogen, Leaktrace 95/5 forming gas, R134a, R1234yf, and R744 CO2 refrigerants, plus PTK testing kits), propane in sizes from 3.9Kg to 47Kg, and helium balloon gas, alongside compatible accessories. The technical foundation is standard industrial gas cylinder hardware with industry-standard 5/8 inch BSP fittings, gas-specific regulators, and single-use flashback arrestors; there is no proprietary software or platform layer disclosed.

SGS Gases monetises through three streams: gas content sales, fully refundable cylinder and stillage deposits that function as quasi-working capital rather than recurring revenue, and accessories/equipment sales. The commercial model is 100% channel-based — the company does not sell direct to end customers and instead relies on a nationwide network of authorised UK distributors providing over-the-counter sales, workplace delivery, and in many cases same-day availability. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is obtained quote-based through distributors on a pay-as-you-go basis. The headline commercial proposition is the rent-free cylinder model: customers pay only for gas and a 100% refundable deposit, with no rental accrual even after decades of retention, contrasting with incumbent gas majors that charge ongoing cylinder rental.

The customer base is horizontally segmented across professional welders and fabricators, independent garage and workshop owners, HVAC/refrigeration technicians, and hobbyist/DIY users. Marketing is lightweight: an e-commerce-styled catalogue website with technical content (MSDS, torch guides, testing kit instructions), a distributor locator tool, and a Facebook page. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no parent company, indicating founder/operator-led organic growth.

Name

SGS Gases

Legal name

South West Gas Supplies Limited

Website

https://sgsgases.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SGS Gases is a UK-based industrial gas supplier founded in 2010 that distributes rent-free welding, oxy-fuel, nitrogen, refrigerant, propane, and helium cylinders exclusively through a nationwide distributor network, serving welding professionals, garages, HVAC technicians, and hobbyists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Gas Supply

NAICS

Industrial Gas Manufacturing (32512)

SIC

Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160), Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070)

akta.pro primary industry

Welding & Cutting Gases (IMAEACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gas Handling Equipment & Storage (Cylinders/Tanks/Valves) (IMAEACAL), Specialty & Calibration Gas Mixtures (IMAEACAE)

Keywords

• Industrial gas supply
• Welding gases
• Rent-free cylinders
• Propane distribution
• Refrigerant gases

Headquarters

HQ city

Lympsham

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, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Gas Sales: SGS Gases sells industrial and commercial gases including welding gases (CO2/Argon mixes, Pure Argon, Oxygen), refrigerant gases, Propane, Helium, and specialty gases. Products are sold through a distributor network across the UK.
2. Cylinder Deposits: Customers pay a fully refundable deposit on cylinders and stillage at point of purchase. The deposit is credited back when cylinders are returned. This creates a recurring revenue stream through new customer acquisitions and provides security for cylinder inventory.
3. Accessories and Equipment: Sale of related equipment including regulators, flow meters, trolleys, nozzles, torches, flashback arrestors, testing kits, and adaptors. Products are available in complete kits or individually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SGS Gases supplies industrial and commercial welding and specialty gases — including CO2/Argon mixes, Pure Argon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Helium, Propane, Pro Fuel (100% Propylene), and refrigerants (R134A, R1234yf, R744 CO2) — along with related equipment such as regulators, trolleys, cutting torches, flashback arrestors, and testing kits. The company sells exclusively through a UK nationwide distributor network under a rent-free cylinder model where customers pay only for gas content and a fully refundable deposit.

Product overview

SGS Gases is a UK-based industrial gas supplier headquartered in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, offering a comprehensive portfolio of welding and industrial gases along with associated equipment and accessories. The company's core offering consists of rent-free gas cylinders (customers pay only for the gas with fully refundable cylinder deposits) distributed through a national network of distributors. The product portfolio spans four main categories: (1) MIG and TIG Welding gases including CO2/Argon mixes (5%, 10%, 15%), Pure Argon, and Argolium; (2) Oxy/ProFuel systems for brazing, welding, heating and cutting including Pro Fuel (100% Propylene) and Oxygen cylinders in multiple sizes (10L-50L) plus complete kits, regulators, flashback arrestors, and a full range of Lightweight and Heavy Duty nozzles and torches; (3) Nitrogen and AirCon products including Oxygen Free Nitrogen cylinders, Leaktrace detection gas (95% Nitrogen/5% Hydrogen), refrigerant gases (R134A, R1234yf, R744 CO2), and comprehensive PTK testing kits with couplers and accessories; and (4) Propane cylinders ranging from 3.9Kg portable to 47Kg industrial sizes. Additional offerings include Helium for balloon filling, cylinder trolleys in various configurations (single, twin, and multi-size), and safety accessories including flashback arrestors and welding goggles. All products are sold exclusively through the company's distributor network across the UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MIG and TIG Welding Gas Cylinders Welding gas cylinders including CO2/Argon mixes (5%, 10%, 15%), Pure Argon, and Argolium for MIG and TIG welding applications, available in various sizes suitable for garage and home use.
• Oxy/ProFuel Equipment Complete range of oxy-fuel equipment including Pro Fuel (100% Propylene) and Oxygen cylinders, regulators, welding nozzles (Lightweight and Heavy Duty series), cutting torches, trolleys, flashback arrestors, and complete kits for brazing, welding, heating and cutting applications.
• Nitrogen and AirCon Testing Products Range of products for air conditioning testing including nitrogen cylinders (10L, 20L, 30L), Leaktrace cylinders (95% Nitrogen/5% Hydrogen), R134A and R1234yf refrigerant gases, PTK testing kits, couplers, and regulators.
• Propane Gas Propane gas cylinders available in multiple sizes from 3.9Kg portable to 47Kg industrial, all with fully refundable deposit.
• Balloon Gas Products Helium cylinders for balloon filling, including 10L Helium at 200 Bar pressure and balloon adaptor accessories.
• Pro Fuel Cylinders 100% Propylene fuel cylinders available in 10L and 20L sizes, achieving 2950°C peak temperatures with oxygen and offering safer handling than acetylene.
• Oxygen Cylinders Industrial grade Oxygen cylinders available in 10L, 20L, 30L, and 50L sizes, filled to 200 BAR with 5/8 inch BSP outlet compatible with most UK oxygen regulators.
• L/W 10L Profuel Kit Complete light weight 10L ProFuel welding kit including twin trolley, regulators, flashback arrestors, hoses, shank, mixer, cutting attachment, welding nozzles, heating nozzle, cutting nozzle, and accessories.
• Nitrogen Tyre Inflator Kit Portable tyre inflation kit including trolley, nitrogen regulator, and inflator for filling tyres with nitrogen gas.
• Vulcan Leaktrace Testing Kit Leak detection kit for air conditioning systems, includes vulcan sniffer tool, R134a low pressure adaptor, charging cable, headphones and hose, designed for use with 95% Nitrogen/5% Hydrogen LeakTrace gas.
• PTK 10L Full Testing Kit Complete nitrogen pressure testing kit for oxygen-free nitrogen pressure testing of low and high side R134a and R1234yf systems, including couplers, regulator and 10L trolley.
• R744 CO2 Refrigerant 7Kg R744 CO2 refrigerant cylinder with dual port valve for liquid or gas withdrawal, commonly used in newer vehicles particularly electric vehicles.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero rental charges on cylinders - customers pay only for gas content and a fully refundable deposit

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Air Products: Global industrial gas manufacturer and supplier with significant UK presence. Competes across welding, oxy-fuel, and specialty gas categories with the full traditional rental/service model.
• Air Liquide: Multinational industrial gas major operating in the UK across welding, medical, and specialty gases. Large-scale manufacturer with cylinder rental structures that SGS's deposit model directly contrasts.
• BOC (Linde): UK market leader in industrial, medical, and specialty gases, part of Linde plc. Dominates the same product categories SGS serves but with full manufacturing, cryogenic bulk supply, and an extensive national cylinder network — including the traditional cylinder rental model SGS disrupts.

Direct peers

• Hobbyweld: UK-based industrial gas supplier that pioneered the rent-free, refundable-deposit cylinder model for hobbyists and trade customers. Closest like-for-like competitor to SGS Gases with overlapping product categories (welding, oxy-fuel, propane) and identical core differentiator.
• Adams Gas: UK supplier of rent-free welding and industrial gases aimed at small businesses and hobbyists. Directly competes with SGS on rent-free cylinder economics and product range (MIG/TIG gases, oxygen, propane).
• Flogas: UK LPG and propane supplier serving domestic, commercial, and industrial markets. Overlaps with SGS's propane cylinder range and targets similar SMB/garage customers.

Regional players

• Rapid Welding Supplies: UK welding equipment and consumables retailer offering gases, machines, and accessories. Comparable product breadth but distribution model is direct e-commerce rather than distributor-led.

Emerging players

• Gas UK: Smaller UK industrial gas supplier with rent-free and competitive pricing positioning. Competes with SGS in the value/hobbyist segment of the welding gas market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sgsgases
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sgs-gases-limited

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 SGS Gases