Aquafax
Aquafax is a UK-based B2B wholesale distributor of marine and industrial equipment, supplying over 300 brands to boat builders, marine engineers, resellers, and dealers through three distribution hubs, regional depots, and a trade-only ecommerce platform with credit facilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersLuton, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Aquafax does
Aquafax Ltd. is a UK-based wholesale distributor of marine and industrial equipment, founded in 1982 and headquartered in Luton. The company distributes over 300 industry-leading brands across categories including boat maintenance, electrical and navigation, hull and engine components, deck equipment, pumps, plumbing, heating and ventilation, lighting, steering and controls, and safety equipment, with notable distributed brands such as Mastervolt, Quick, Whale, Jotun, MPM, Navico, and International. Aquafax operates exclusively as a B2B trade wholesaler, serving boat builders, marine engineers, resellers, service dealers, boatyards, commercial marine operators, and narrowboat builders through credit and cash trade accounts, with three primary distribution hubs (Century Park, Luton, Beccles) plus regional depots including Hamble and Plymouth, supported by a trade-only ecommerce platform featuring live stock availability, net pricing, 24/7 ordering, and UK-wide delivery.
Aquafax was acquired by Arleigh International Ltd. in May 2018 and now operates as part of the LKQ Leisure & Marine division alongside ASAP Supplies and Midland Chandlers under the Arleigh Group umbrella. Revenue is generated primarily through wholesale hardware sales with trade-only pricing, supplemented by recurring trade-account revenue through monthly credit facilities and pay-as-you-go cash accounts. The technology platform centers on a B2B ecommerce storefront with real-time multi-depot stock visibility, a Quick Buy ordering tool, Buying Lists for repeat ordering, and a human-staffed parts identification service that provides technical expertise on marine application requirements. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the website gates pricing and stock behind trade account login.
The go-to-market motion is multi-channel: regional account managers provide field sales support, the trade website serves 24/7 ordering, boat shows and exhibitions (Southampton, Crick, Seawork, BoatLife) drive top-of-funnel awareness, and a stockist/dealer network extends reach to end-consumers (who are explicitly directed away from direct purchase). Brand partnerships with Mastervolt, Navico, Jotun, Quick, and Maestrini anchor the value proposition, supported by Clipper Race sponsorship and youth sail training initiatives. Free UK mainland delivery is offered on orders over £150, though current dispatch is 24-48 hours during a stated network improvement program.
Aquafax firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aquafax
- Legal name
- Aquafax Ltd.
- Website
- https://aquafax.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Aquafax is a UK-based B2B wholesale distributor of marine and industrial equipment, supplying over 300 brands to boat builders, marine engineers, resellers, and dealers through three distribution hubs, regional depots, and a trade-only ecommerce platform with credit facilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aquafax industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Equipment Wholesale Distribution
- SIC
- Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040), Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Sports & Marine Recreation Gear Distribution (CRAOAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Docking, Anchoring & Mooring Equipment Retail (CRAMAIAI)
Keywords
Where Aquafax is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Luton
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Aquafax business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Wholesale Distribution of Marine Equipment: Aquafax generates revenue through wholesale distribution of marine and industrial equipment to trade customers including boat builders, marine engineers, resellers, and service dealers. Revenue is generated through product sales with trade pricing for account holders.
- Trade Account Sales: Both credit accounts (offering monthly credit facilities) and cash accounts (pay-as-you-go) serve trade customers, providing recurring revenue through established B2B relationships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Credit Account - Trade pricing with monthly credit facilities |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Cash Account - Trade pricing with pay-as-you-go payment |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Aquafax product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aquafax is a UK-based B2B wholesale distributor of marine and industrial equipment, selling through trade accounts (credit and cash) to boat builders, marine engineers, resellers, service dealers, boatyards, and commercial marine operators. The company supplies 300+ industry brands across boat maintenance, electrical & navigation, hull & engine components, deck equipment, pumps, plumbing, heating, lighting, safety, steering, and galley categories, supported by a multi-branch depot network, a trade ecommerce platform with live stock visibility, and technical/parts identification support.
Product overview
Aquafax is a UK-based wholesale distributor of marine and industrial equipment operating as part of LKQ Leisure & Marine (part of LKQ Corporation). The company offers an extensive product portfolio organized across multiple categories: Boat Maintenance (paints, coatings, cleaning, repair materials), Electrical & Navigation (batteries, electronics, autopilots, chartplotters, solar), Hull & Engine Components (propellers, fuel systems, anodes, outboard accessories), Deck Equipment (anchoring, windlasses, hatches), Pumps, Plumbing, Heating & Ventilation, Lighting, Steering & Controls, and Safe & Secure equipment. The offering includes distributed brands such as Mastervolt (electrical systems), Quick (windlasses, water heaters, thrusters), Whale (pumps), Jotun (marine coatings), MPM (lubricants), and Fell Marine (wireless kill switches). Aquafax primarily serves trade customers including boat builders, marine engineers, and resellers through their e-commerce platform featuring live stock availability and online ordering.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Boat Maintenance Products Wholesale range covering antifreeze, boat covers, cleaning and protection products, deck coverings, marine fillers, paint and coatings (above and below waterline, waterline, plus brushes, rollers, thinners, PPE, surface preparation), resins and fibreglass repair, sealants and adhesives, sanding sheets and discs, screenwash and de-icer, soundproofing, tape, tools, and trailer accessories. Sold wholesale to marine trade customers.
- Electrical & Navigation Equipment Wholesale range including antennas and accessories, batteries and accessories, bus bars, cables, cable glands, combination units, digital switching and modular cables, electronic device mounts, electronics (autopilots, cameras, electronic navigation charts, fish finders & chartplotters, instruments and spares, network components, radars, transducers, trolling motors, VHF/AIS/safety), fuses and circuit breakers, gauges and instruments, ground plates, isolation transformers, power posts and feed through, plugs and sockets, shore power connections, solar panels and accessories, switches and switch panels, TVs and accessories, voltage converters and inverters, and windscreen wipers.
- Hull & Engine Components Wholesale product range across air filters, alternators, anodes, fuel system components, gearboxes, heat exchangers, propellers, stern gear, outboard motor accessories, and comprehensive spares, distributed to boat builders and marine engineers.
- Deck Equipment Wholesale deck equipment including anchoring (anchors, bow rollers, capstans, chain, chain connectors, chain guides and hawseholes, chain markers, winches, winch spares, windlasses, windlass spares, windlass accessories), canopy fittings, deck hatches and portlights, deck plates, fillers and accessories, inspection hatches, ladders and steps, mooring equipment, oars, paddles and rowlocks, sailboat hardware, shackles, hooks and eyestrips, and U bolts.
- Pumps Wholesale pump range including bilge pumps, circulation pumps, deck wash pumps, freshwater pumps, waste pumps, engine cooling pumps, fuel transfer pumps, manual pumps (including galley pumps), and comprehensive spares.
- Plumbing Systems Wholesale marine plumbing including copper tubing, compression joints, domestic water systems, sanitation, hose, pipe fittings, seawater strainers, through hull fittings, and valves.
- Heating & Ventilation Wholesale marine heating (electric heating, diesel water heaters, chimneys, ducting hose, gas heating, heat exchangers, solid fuel stoves, stove spares and accessories) and ventilation (clamshell vents, deck and roof ventilation, extraction, fans, internal grills, louvre air vents).
- Safe & Secure Equipment Wholesale safety products including binoculars, compasses, emergency beacons, fire safety equipment, first aid kits, flags, gas detectors, life jackets, life buoys, and radar reflectors.
- Steering & Controls Wholesale steering systems including bow and stern thrusters, engine controls, hydraulic steering, mechanical steering, rudders, steering wheels, trim tabs, and associated accessories.
- Lighting Wholesale marine lighting including bulbs and tubes, interior and exterior lights, navigation lights, search lights, underwater lights, torches, and IP-rated utility lights.
- Galley Equipment Wholesale marine galley products including appliances, cooking equipment, galleyware, and refrigeration (refrigerators, freezers, cool boxes).
- Whale Pumps & Water Systems (distributed brand) Whale is a leading marine water systems brand from Bangor, Northern Ireland, supplying freshwater, bilge and waste pumps, plumbing fittings and water/heating systems for marine, caravan and industrial applications, distributed wholesale through Aquafax.
- Fell Marine MOB+ Wireless Kill Switch Wireless man-overboard engine cut-off system replacing traditional cord-based kill switches, with xHUB, xFOB personal tags (up to 20 user memory), xBAND wristband, and xTAG lanyard options, distributed wholesale by Aquafax.
- Parts Identification Service Technical service helping marine trade customers identify the correct parts for marine applications, provided as part of Aquafax's value-added offering alongside trade pricing and account management.
Companies that use Aquafax
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aquafax technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Aquafax partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- RWOminorUK distribution deal announced November 2017. Aquafax distributes RWO marine products including fire safety and gas detection equipment.
- Advanced Systems Group EMEA BVcoreMulti-year marine distribution agreement. Aquafax distributes ASG products including Galleywa products and marine systems. Awarded Gold Distributor status.
- Navico GroupcorePreferred UK wholesaler partnership for Navico navigation technology. Aquafax supports youth sail training programs with Navico equipment and operates a fully solar-powered Navico Group demo van.
- Quick (Italian manufacturer)coreDistribution partnership for Italian manufacturer's products including winches, windlasses, capstans, anchoring accessories, water heaters, thrusters, and lighting. Partnership has been strengthened over time.
- MaestrinicorePreferred distributor status for Maestrini products. Maestrini has invested in Lloyds Type Approval for their marine fittings.
- MastervoltcoreLong-standing partnership including joint events like Crick Boat Show roadshow, Mastervolt Roadshow tours, and promotional activities.
- Jotun Marine CoatingscoreDistribution partnership for Norwegian company's high-quality marine coatings and anti-corrosion products. Founded 1926, world leader in marine coatings.
- MPM Oil CompanyminorDistribution partnership for Netherlands-based lubricant company. Complete range of marine lubricants including outboard and inboard engine oils, gearbox oils, hydraulic fluids, and cleaners. MPM is active in 50+ countries.
- Parker RacorminorMarine filtration products now available through Aquafax distribution.
- Dometic UK Blind Systems LtdminorExclusive UK distributor for Dometic blind systems for marine applications.
- Fell MarineminorDistribution of Fell Marine MOB+ wireless engine kill switch products including xHUB, xFOB, xTAG, and xBAND accessories for man-overboard safety.
- Clipper RaceminorOfficial Supplier to the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Supports the new Clipper Race fleet with equipment and navigation technology.
- International PaintcoreDistribution of International marine paint products. Offers paint training programs for customers.
- Arleigh GroupcoreAquafax was acquired by Arleigh International Ltd in May 2018. Arleigh Group is the parent company under LKQ Leisure & Marine division. The acquisition enhanced Arleigh's position as the leading marine distribution business in the UK.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Aquafax competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Marine Super Store: UK online marine retailer and wholesaler offering maintenance products, electronics, anchoring, and deck equipment across consumer and trade channels. Competes with Aquafax's trade website on similar product categories.
- Landamores Marine: Long-established UK marine equipment distributor serving East Anglia and broader UK markets with chandlery, engine spares, and boat maintenance products. Directly comparable as a regional marine wholesaler to the trade.
- Force 4 Chandlery: One of the UK's largest marine chandlers with both retail stores and online trade/consumer channels. Competes head-on with Aquafax across anchoring, electronics, safety, and deck equipment categories for boat owners and trade accounts.
- ASAP Supplies: UK marine and leisure equipment distributor also owned by Arleigh Group, acquired in May 2017 just before Aquafax. Offers a comparable broad product range to trade and consumer customers across marine maintenance, electronics, and deck hardware categories.
- Bobby Chandlers: Long-established UK marine chandlery offering a similar broad product portfolio to trade and retail customers, including engine spares, electronics, and boat maintenance consumables. Operates as a comparable one-stop supplier in the same market segments.
- Williams Marine: UK marine chandlery supplying boat owners and trade customers with maintenance products, electronics, safety gear, and deck hardware. Comparable in product mix and customer base to Aquafax, though smaller in scale.
- Midland Chandlers: UK-based marine equipment distributor and direct sister company of Aquafax under Arleigh Group. Operates a trade and retail chandlery model with overlapping product categories (anchoring, electronics, engine spares) and serves many of the same boat builder and dealer customers.
- Wychwood Marine: UK marine equipment retailer/wholesaler carrying comparable categories (electronics, anchoring, safety, maintenance). Targets both trade and consumer customers with a similar product mix to Aquafax.
Regional players
- Gael Force Group: Scotland-based marine equipment supplier specializing in commercial fishing and aquaculture gear, with a broader chandlery offering. Geographically focused on Scotland and the Scottish islands but overlaps with Aquafax in marine equipment distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Barrus: UK-based distributor of marine engines, outboard motors, and industrial equipment (including Yanmar, MerCruiser, and Parker-Racor). Overlaps with Aquafax in engine components and marine filtration distribution but is broader in scope as a multi-brand engine specialist.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aquafax social profiles
Digital presenceAquafax financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aquafax leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Aquafax funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aquafax 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 Aquafax
What does Aquafax do?
Aquafax is a UK-based B2B wholesale distributor of marine and industrial equipment, selling through trade accounts (credit and cash) to boat builders, marine engineers, resellers, service dealers, boatyards, and commercial marine operators. The company supplies 300+ industry brands across boat maintenance, electrical & navigation, hull & engine components, deck equipment, pumps, plumbing, heating, lighting, safety, steering, and galley categories, supported by a multi-branch depot network, a trade ecommerce platform with live stock visibility, and technical/parts identification support.
Is Aquafax a public or private company?
Aquafax is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Aquafax founded?
Aquafax was founded in 1982. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Aquafax based?
Aquafax is headquartered in Luton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Aquafax make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Wholesale Distribution of Marine Equipment is the primary driver. The others are trade Account Sales.
Who are Aquafax's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Marine Super Store, Landamores Marine, Force 4 Chandlery, ASAP Supplies, Bobby Chandlers, Williams Marine, Midland Chandlers and Wychwood Marine. Gael Force Group is listed as a regional player. Barrus is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Aquafax have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aquafax.
What industry is Aquafax in?
Aquafax's product category is Marine Equipment Wholesale Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAJAD, Water Sports & Marine Recreation Gear Distribution, with a secondary code of CRAMAIAI, Docking, Anchoring & Mooring Equipment Retail. Its SIC code is 5040.