On Board Defence

What On Board Defence does

On Board Defence Limited is a UK-based private company, established in 2002 and headquartered in Banbury, Oxfordshire, that designs, develops, and distributes security products for the automotive aftermarket sector. The company's core offering is hardware-based vehicle protection, most notably its CATLOC registered-trademark system for safeguarding catalytic converters against theft, alongside SPARELOK and PORTECT branded security products. Its technology is mechanical and security-focused rather than software-driven, with proprietary designs protected through registered trademarks and a sustained R&D programme intended to counter evolving theft techniques.

The company serves four primary customer categories: vehicle manufacturers (Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Toyota, Renault, Citroën, and Peugeot) as direct OEM supply partners; large fleet operators requiring bulk procurement; main dealerships that distribute security products to end customers under their own brand names; and trade and retail clients in the broader aftermarket. Distribution is structured across multiple channels including Central Supply, Direct Import/Export (for port-fitment), Direct to Dealership with central billing, and a Direct to Customer e-commerce option with timed delivery.

Revenue mechanics are entirely B2B hardware sales, with no disclosed pricing model or public pricing; transaction values are likely negotiated based on vehicle specification and order volume. The company operates as an ISO certified entity, supported by memberships in industry associations, and sells into both UK and international markets. No external investors, parent company, or acquisitions are disclosed, indicating an independently held small enterprise with 11–50 employees.

Name

On Board Defence

Legal name

On Board Defence Limited

Website

https://onboarddefence.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

On Board Defence designs, develops, and distributes automotive aftermarket security hardware, most notably its CATLOC catalytic converter protection system. It serves vehicle manufacturers (Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Toyota, Renault, Citroën, Peugeot), large fleet operators, dealerships, and trade and retail clients in the UK and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Oxford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. Automotive Security Hardware Sales: Design, develop and distribute security products for the automotive aftermarket sector, including catalytic converter protection and other vehicle security devices. Products sold through dealership networks, directly to fleet operators, and to trade/retail clients.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

On Board Defence (OBD) Ltd. designs, develops, and distributes security hardware products for the automotive aftermarket sector, established in 2002 and based in Banbury, UK. The company's portfolio includes the flagship CATLOC catalytic converter protection system alongside SPARELOK and PORTECT security products, all engineered to address specific theft threats to modern vehicle operators across light commercial, passenger car, and heavy commercial segments.

Product overview

On Board Defence (OBD) Ltd. designs, develops, and distributes automotive aftermarket security products, established in 2002. The company offers a portfolio of security products including CATLOC (catalytic converter protection), SPARELOK, and PORTECT, all addressing specific threats to modern vehicle operators. Initially focused on the light commercial vehicle sector, the company has expanded into cars and heavy commercial sectors. The products are sold through main dealerships, directly to customers under their own brand names, and through various supply chain channels including central supply, direct import/export, direct to dealership, and direct to customer delivery options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CATLOC: Pioneering brand for vehicle catalytic converter protection.
• SPARELOK
• PORTECT

Products and services

• CATLOC
• SPARELOK Registered trademark security product for automotive anti-theft protection, part of the company's diversified security product portfolio.
• PORTECT Registered trademark security product brand for vehicle protection, addressing specific threats to modern vehicle operators as part of OBD's broader automotive security portfolio.

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mercedes-BenzcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerVehicle manufacturer client of On Board Defence, utilizing security products and solutions for their vehicles. Listed as a client alongside other major manufacturers.
• VolkswagencoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerVehicle manufacturer client utilizing OBD security products. One of the key OEM partnerships in the automotive sector.
• ToyotacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerVehicle manufacturer client of On Board Defence, representing one of the major Japanese automotive brands in their client portfolio.
• RenaultcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFrench vehicle manufacturer client utilizing automotive security solutions provided by OBD.
• CitroëncoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerVehicle manufacturer client of On Board Defence, part of the Stellantis group relationship.
• PeugeotcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerVehicle manufacturer client, part of the Stellantis group OEM relationships.
• Industry AssociationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany is a supporter and member of various associations within the automotive security industry, demonstrating commitment to industry standards and progression.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Scorpion Automotive: UK-based manufacturer of vehicle security and tracking products, including aftermarket alarms, immobilisers, and stolen vehicle recovery systems. Comparable as a domestic UK specialist supplying automotive security hardware to OEMs, dealers, and fleet customers.
• Meta System: Italian manufacturer of vehicle security and electronic systems (alarms, telematics, power management), with significant OEM supply. Comparable to OBD as a European specialist in aftermarket and factory-fit automotive electronic security hardware.
• Autowatch UK: South African/UK vehicle alarm and security system manufacturer with a strong UK aftermarket presence. Comparable to OBD as a specialist provider of automotive security hardware (alarms, immobilisers) sold through dealer and trade channels.
• Bulldog Security: UK manufacturer of mechanical vehicle security products (steering locks, anti-theft devices) for the automotive aftermarket. Comparable to OBD as a UK-based specialist in physical anti-theft hardware for consumer and fleet vehicles.
• Tracker Network (UK): UK stolen vehicle recovery specialist using VHF and GPS technology, working closely with police and insurers. Comparable to OBD as a UK-headquartered vehicle security provider focused on theft deterrence, recovery, and fleet/consumer protection.
• Cobra Automotive Technologies: Italian vehicle security and anti-theft specialist known for aftermarket alarms and immobilisers. Comparable to OBD as a European OEM- and aftermarket-oriented vehicle security hardware manufacturer.
• Compustar: North American manufacturer of vehicle security, remote start, and telematics systems, sold largely through authorised dealers. Comparable to OBD in the security hardware space with a dealer-channel-led GTM motion.
• Pandora Alarm Systems: Russia/Europe-headquartered car alarm and telematics manufacturer with growing international distribution. Comparable to OBD as a specialist developer of vehicle anti-theft electronic systems sold through dealer and specialist channels.

Broad incumbents

• Directed Electronics (Viper): US-based category leader in aftermarket vehicle security and remote start (Viper, Clifford, Python brands). Comparable to OBD in aftermarket anti-theft hardware, but with a much larger consumer brand presence and broader product portfolio.
• Vodafone Automotive: Global telematics and connected vehicle security provider (formerly Cobra). Comparable to OBD across vehicle tracking, stolen vehicle recovery, and OEM-supplied security services, but with a much broader portfolio and international scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights4 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ONBOARDDEFENCE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/obd---on-board-defence

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 On Board Defence