Datrex Inc
Datrex Inc. is a US marine safety equipment distributor founded in 1975, supplying USCG/SOLAS/MED-certified lifesaving, signaling, and survival products to commercial and recreational maritime customers through e-commerce and five US office locations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersKinder, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Datrex Inc does
Datrex Inc. is a US-based, privately-held marine safety equipment distributor founded in 1975 and operating for nearly 50 years. The company distributes a broad catalog of life-saving and regulatory-compliant safety products — including liferings, lifejackets, immersion suits, commercial and recreational liferafts (Duarry, Revere, and the proprietary Datrex Liberty/Independence lines), IKAROS pyrotechnics, Hammar hydrostatic release units, GMDSS electronics (Jotron, McMurdo, Ocean Signal), gas detectors (RKI), safety lights (Daniamant), the proprietary DALITE shipboard signage system, FallTech fall protection, and firefighter gear — alongside exclusive US distribution rights for Highfield Boats RIB tenders. Products carry USCG, SOLAS, MED, and IMO certifications covering both commercial maritime (workboats, tugs, cargo, passenger vessels) and recreational boating customers.
Datrex operates a hybrid B2B/B2C go-to-market via its e-commerce storefront at datrex.com and five US office locations in Kinder LA, Miami FL, Jacksonville FL, Seattle WA, and New Castle DE. Revenue is generated through one-time transactional unit sales spanning a $3 to $8,500+ price range, with no subscription or recurring revenue model evident; many commercial items are quote-based. The proprietary technology layer is modest — Datrex itself does not manufacture safety equipment, but it develops branded sub-lines (DATREX food rations, DECKBUOY/BRIDGEBUOY liferings, DALITE signage, Liberty/Independence liferafts) and aggregates third-party-certified products into a single procurement relationship. The company has no disclosed investors, no parent organization, and no subsidiaries, consistent with a founder- or family-owned specialty distributor.
Datrex Inc firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Datrex Inc
- Legal name
- Datrex Inc.
- Website
- https://datrex.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Datrex Inc. is a US marine safety equipment distributor founded in 1975, supplying USCG/SOLAS/MED-certified lifesaving, signaling, and survival products to commercial and recreational maritime customers through e-commerce and five US office locations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Datrex Inc industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Safety Equipment
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Marine Safety & Navigation Electronics Retail (PFDs, EPIRBs, GPS, VHF) (CRAMAIAH), Fireboats & Emergency Response Craft (IMAJADAH)
Keywords
Where Datrex Inc is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kinder
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Datrex Inc business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Marine Safety Equipment Sales: Datrex generates revenue through direct sales of marine safety equipment including life rings, lifejackets, immersion suits, liferafts, pyrotechnics, safety electronics, and shipboard signage. Products are sold as one-time purchases with varying price points from approximately $3 to $8,500+ per item. Many commercial products require quotes for bulk orders or custom configurations.
- Highfield Boat Sales: Distribution of Highfield RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) tenders including Roll Up, Ultralite, Classic, Sport, and Patrol series boats for commercial and recreational marine applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Life Rings (Liferings) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lifejackets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cold Water Immersion Suits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Commercial Liferafts |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Recreational Liferafts |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Food Rations |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Drinking Water |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | GMDSS Electronics |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Shipboard Signage |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Safety Lights |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gas Detectors |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pyrotechnics (IKAROS) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Datrex Inc product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Datrex Inc distributes marine safety equipment, including life rafts, distress signals, flotation devices, shipboard safety signage, and related survival products. The company serves both commercial and recreational maritime markets through a multi-brand catalog that combines proprietary Datrex-branded items with partner brands such as Highfield Boats, IKAROS, and Hammar, supported by five US sales offices and a catalog/quote-based sales model.
Product overview
Datrex Inc is a maritime safety equipment company offering a comprehensive portfolio of survival and safety products for commercial and recreational marine applications. The product line includes flotation equipment (liferings, lifejackets, immersion suits, float coats), emergency rations and water, commercial and recreational liferafts (Duarry, Revere, Datrex Liberty/Independence brands), IKAROS pyrotechnics (commercial grade Swedish-made distress signals), Hammar hydrostatic release units, GMDSS electronics (Jotron, McMurdo EPIRB/SART), gas detection equipment (RKI), safety lighting (Daniamant), DALITE ship signage compliant with IMO Resolution A.1116(30), firefighter gear with EEBD, FallTech fall protection (USA-manufactured with ISO 17025 test lab), rescue equipment, radar reflectors (ECHO MAX), day shapes, survival craft spares, and Highfield Boats RIB tenders. The company serves both commercial maritime (SOLAS/MED, USCG Subchapter M certified) and recreational boater segments with products ranging from individual safety items to complete vessel safety packages.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IKAROS: Commercial Grade Pyrotechnics, Made in Sweden - sold through Datrex
- Hammar
- Highfield Boats
- DALITE
Products and services
- Datrex Life Rafts and Emergency Drinking Water
- Marine Distress Signals
- Marine Flotation Devices
- DALITE Signage System
- IKAROS Life Jackets and Safety Products
- Hammar Hydrostatic Release Units
- Highfield Boats RIBs
Quantifiable outcome
- Highfield Boats has delivered 27,000 boats globally since 2011, establishing market leadership position
Companies that use Datrex Inc
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Datrex Inc technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Datrex Inc partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Highfield BoatsflagshipDatrex distributes Highfield Boats products in the US market. Highfield Boats has delivered 27,000 boats globally since 2011 and is the world's number one in the RIB tender sector. Product lines include Roll Up Series, Ultralite Series, Classic Series, Sport Series, and Patrol Series.
- IKAROS (Sweden)coreIKAROS is a Swedish manufacturer of commercial grade pyrotechnics including parachute rockets, handflares, and buoyant smoke signals. All products carry 42-month shelf life. IKAROS products are approved for USCG/SOLAS/MED applications.
- Hammar (Sweden)coreHammar manufactures hydrostatic release units (HRU) including the H20E EPIRB HRU, quick release systems for lifebuoys, and replacement kits. Products are USCG/SOLAS/MED approved for maritime safety applications.
- Jotron (Norway)coreJotron manufactures GMDSS electronics including Tron 60 AIS/GPS EPIRB, Tron TR30 VHF GMDSS radio, Tron AIS-SART, and Tron SART20 radar transponder. Norwegian company specializing in maritime safety electronics.
- Ocean SignalcoreOcean Signal manufactures EPIRBs and GMDSS batteries including the E100 EPIRB Battery, SafeSea GMDSS VHF V100 battery, and S100 SART Battery for maritime distress and communication applications.
- Daniamant (Denmark)coreDaniamant manufactures safety lights including lifeboat lights (SL-400, SL-500), lifejacket lights (W3, W3 Polar, HemiLight 3), and lifebuoy lights. Danish company specializing in maritime LED safety lighting.
- McMurdocoreMcMurdo manufactures EPIRBs including SmartFind EPIRB G8AIS CAT I and CAT II models, and SmartFind S5A AIS SART. Products provide maritime distress alerting and search and rescue locating capabilities.
- DuarrycoreDuarry manufactures commercial liferafts including SOLAS/MED approved 6-12 person compact low profile and 6-25 person round models with A-pack survival equipment configurations.
- ReverecoreRevere manufactures USCG/SOLAS liferafts including 6-20 person configurations for commercial maritime applications with davit launch and IBA (Inflatable Buoyant Apparatus) options.
- SwitlikcoreSwitlik manufactures offshore recreational liferafts (OPR series) and Crew Overboard Rescue Devices (MOM 8-S). Products serve both commercial and recreational maritime safety markets.
- ECHO MAXcoreECHO MAX manufactures radar reflectors including active XS and X band models, passive reflectors (EM230, EM180, EM305, EM12), and inflatable radar reflectors for liferafts. SOLAS/MED approved passive and active radar technology.
- RKI InstrumentsminorRKI Instruments manufactures gas detection equipment including GX-3R and GX-Force confined space 4 gas monitors for commercial marine safety applications.
- FallTechcoreFallTech provides fall protection products designed, tested, and manufactured in the USA with in-house ISO 17025 accredited test lab. Product lines include Marine Grade Fall Protection, Arc Flash, FT-Weld, and Rescue and Descent equipment.
- Mustang SurvivalcoreMustang Survival provides cold water immersion suits, water rescue suits, and inflatable work vests. USCG/SOLAS/MED approved products for commercial maritime safety applications.
- Kent Sporting GoodscoreKent provides lifejackets, immersion suits, float coats, and mesh vests including USCG Type III and Type V approved models for commercial and recreational maritime applications.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Datrex Inc competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ACR Electronics (Ocean Signal parent): Manufacturer of EPIRBs, PLBs, SARTs, and GMDSS electronics that overlap with several Datrex-distributed brands (McMurdo, Ocean Signal). Comparable navigation and safety electronics product line targeting both commercial and recreational segments.
- Defender Marine: Long-standing US-based mail-order and online marine safety equipment retailer carrying PFDs, EPIRBs, immersion suits, liferafts, and pyrotechnics. Competes head-to-head with Datrex for both commercial and recreational boater customers.
- Imtra: US distributor of marine equipment including propulsion, lighting, deck hardware, and safety products from multiple international brands. Closely comparable multi-brand US marine distribution model to Datrex.
- West Marine (MarineMax): Largest US marine retail and safety equipment distributor selling commercial and recreational life jackets, EPIRBs, flares, and signage across both online and physical stores. Most directly comparable competitor to Datrex in US marine safety distribution.
- Wholesale Marine: US online marine supplies distributor offering safety equipment, life jackets, flotation, and recreational marine products. Directly comparable business model and product mix to Datrex's recreational e-commerce channel.
Emerging players
- Jamestown Distributors: US marine products retailer/distributor covering boatbuilding, maintenance, and safety supplies. Comparable specialty marine distribution model, though with more focus on boatbuilding consumables.
- Mack Boring & Parts Co. US-based marine engine, parts, and safety equipment distributor serving commercial and recreational markets. Overlaps with Datrex in marine safety distribution and US regional customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Viking Life-Saving Equipment: Major global manufacturer and distributor of marine safety equipment including liferafts, immersion suits, and lifejackets serving commercial and offshore markets. Comparable SOLAS/MED-certified product portfolio to Datrex's distributed lineup.
- Mustang Survival: Manufacturer of PFDs, immersion suits, and flotation products distributed in part through Datrex. Larger brand with broader product portfolio serving military, commercial, and recreational segments.
- Survitec Group: Global marine and offshore safety solutions provider offering liferafts, survival suits, pyrotechnics, and GMDSS electronics with service network worldwide. Comparable breadth of certified product lines; far larger scale and global footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Datrex Inc social profiles
Digital presenceDatrex Inc financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Datrex Inc leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Datrex Inc funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Datrex Inc 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 Datrex Inc
What does Datrex Inc do?
Datrex Inc distributes marine safety equipment, including life rafts, distress signals, flotation devices, shipboard safety signage, and related survival products. The company serves both commercial and recreational maritime markets through a multi-brand catalog that combines proprietary Datrex-branded items with partner brands such as Highfield Boats, IKAROS, and Hammar, supported by five US sales offices and a catalog/quote-based sales model.
Is Datrex Inc a public or private company?
Datrex Inc is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Datrex Inc founded?
Datrex Inc was founded in 1975. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Datrex Inc based?
Datrex Inc is headquartered in Kinder, United States, in the North America region.
How does Datrex Inc make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Marine Safety Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are highfield Boat Sales.
Who are Datrex Inc's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ACR Electronics (Ocean Signal parent), Defender Marine, Imtra, West Marine (MarineMax) and Wholesale Marine. Emerging players are Jamestown Distributors and Mack Boring & Parts Co.. Broad incumbents are Viking Life-Saving Equipment, Mustang Survival and Survitec Group.
Does Datrex Inc have an API?
No public API is recorded for Datrex Inc.
What industry is Datrex Inc in?
Datrex Inc's product category is Marine Safety Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAIAG, Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting), with a secondary code of CRAMAIAH, Marine Safety & Navigation Electronics Retail (PFDs, EPIRBs, GPS, VHF). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3823.