Touchstar plc
Touchstar plc (AIM: TST) is a UK-based provider of rugged mobile computing, proof of delivery, fleet tracking, and integrated fire and security solutions for enterprise customers in logistics, fuel distribution, retail, warehousing and critical operational environments. It combines proprietary software with in-house hardware via direct enterprise sales.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1904
- HeadquartersManchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Touchstar plc does
Touchstar plc (AIM: TST) is a UK-based, AIM-listed provider of mobile computing, proof of delivery, fleet tracking, and integrated fire and security solutions, headquartered in Manchester with a Scottish-incorporated parent entity dating to 1904. The company serves enterprise customers across logistics, transport, warehousing, retail, fuel distribution, and critical operational environments, with disclosed blue-chip customers including Tata Steel, Wincanton, GSK, Calor, British Sugar, Lakeland, Harrods, Morrisons, DCC, Flogas, Greenergy, Cepac, and Cushman & Wakefield. Its core platforms include Evolution (operational management), Fastlane (process optimization), Fuelstar (fuel distribution), PODStar (parcel proof of delivery), and Bulk POD, alongside rugged mobile devices (PDA, tablet, full-screen form factors) and Feedback Data's CCTV, access control and time & attendance systems.
The group's technology stack combines proprietary software with in-house manufactured rugged hardware, delivered as a turnkey solution spanning system analysis, design, commissioning, installation, and ongoing maintenance. Revenue is generated through a mix of hardware sales, software/subscription offerings (with the ATC subsidiary having transitioned to a SaaS/recurring model), professional services, and managed facilities services. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct, targeting blue-chip enterprise accounts primarily in the UK and selected European markets; the company also claims a broader global footprint via international deployments. The group operates through three wholly-owned subsidiaries — TouchStar Technologies Ltd (core mobile computing), Feedback Data plc (facilities management/security), and Touchstar ATC Limited (workforce management for complex environments such as hospitals, education, food manufacturing and high-end retail).
Commercially, Touchstar has signalled a transition: FY2025 projected revenue of approximately £6.7m undershot an £8m internal forecast and the group recognised £1.45m of exceptional restructuring and software impairment charges. Against this, ATC delivered 29% revenue growth over two years under a SaaS transition, and a new CEO, Lynden Jones (previously ATC's Managing Director), was appointed effective 1 July 2025 with a refreshed group strategy branded 'Securing the Logistics of People and Product'. The company describes itself as actively expanding capabilities across intelligent operational environments spanning software, infrastructure, connectivity, energy, security and site operations, indicating an intention to move beyond legacy mobile computing into broader operational technology adjacencies.
Touchstar plc firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Touchstar plc
- Legal name
- Touchstar plc
- Website
- https://touchstarplc.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1904
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Touchstar plc (AIM: TST) is a UK-based provider of rugged mobile computing, proof of delivery, fleet tracking, and integrated fire and security solutions for enterprise customers in logistics, fuel distribution, retail, warehousing and critical operational environments. It combines proprietary software with in-house hardware via direct enterprise sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Touchstar plc industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Computing and Operational Software
- NAICS
- Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (334118), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411)
- SIC
- Electronic Computers (3571), Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Computer Peripheral Equipment, Nec (3577)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Rugged Handhelds & Mobile Computers (HDACALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fleet, Asset Tracking & Telematics Location Platforms (BPAMANAF)
Keywords
Where Touchstar plc is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Touchstar plc business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of rugged mobile computing devices including PDAs, tablets, and full screen devices manufactured in-house, as well as third-party data capture hardware.
- Software Solutions: Sophisticated software solutions for business applications including proof of delivery, fleet management, and operational management platforms.
- SaaS/Recurring Revenue: ATC subsidiary has transitioned to a SaaS/recurring revenue model with subscription-based software delivery.
- Professional Services: System analysis, design, commissioning, installation, and maintenance services including rapid response call-out support.
- Facilities Management Solutions: CCTV, access control, and time and attendance systems through Feedback Data subsidiary.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Touchstar plc product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Touchstar plc designs and delivers mobile computing solutions, operational software platforms (Evolution, Fastlane, Fuelstar, PODStar), rugged mobile devices, fleet tracking and telematics, and integrated fire and security systems. The company provides turnkey solutions combining hardware, software, connectivity, and site infrastructure for logistics, transport, warehousing, retail, fuel distribution, and critical operational environments. Its ATC subsidiary delivers workforce management software on a SaaS/recurring revenue basis.
Product overview
Touchstar plc is a turnkey solutions provider offering a portfolio of specialized platforms including Evolution (core operational management), Fastlane (process optimization), Fuelstar (fuel distribution), PODStar (parcel proof of delivery), Bulk POD (bulk delivery confirmation), rugged mobility hardware devices, and integrated fire and security systems. The company combines operational software, technical facilities, mobility solutions, connectivity, and intelligent site infrastructure to help organizations improve visibility, strengthen security, increase efficiency, and reduce complexity across logistics, transport, warehousing, retail, fuel distribution, and critical operational environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Evolution: Specialist platform for operational software and data capture solutions
- Fastlane
- Fuelstar
- PODStar
- Rugged Mobility Solutions
- Fire and Security
Products and services
- Evolution Platform Specialist operational management platform providing visibility, security, efficiency, and supply chain management for logistics, transport, warehousing, and critical operational environments.
- Fastlane Specialist platform for bulk proof of delivery, process optimisation, and workflow management for liquid and gas distribution operations.
- Fuelstar Specialist platform for fuel distribution management and tracking, supporting the seamless movement of fuel products through the supply chain.
- PODStar Proof of delivery solution for parcel and package delivery confirmation and tracking in logistics and supply chain operations.
- Bulk POD Bulk proof of delivery solution for confirming and tracking deliveries of bulk products such as gases and liquids.
- Rugged Mobility Solutions Rugged mobile computers and handheld devices for industrial and commercial applications, including PDA, tablet, and full-screen form factors built to withstand harsh operational environments.
- Fire and Security Systems Integrated fire detection, CCTV, access control, and time and attendance systems delivered through the Feedback Data subsidiary for facilities management.
- Touchstar ATC Workforce Management Software SaaS-delivered workforce management software for complex environments such as hospitals, education, food manufacturing, and high-end retail, providing time and attendance, scheduling, and compliance tracking.
Quantifiable outcome
- 500,000+ terminal installations globally
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Touchstar plc
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Touchstar plc technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Touchstar plc partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Touchstar plc competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Cipherlab: Cipherlab manufactures rugged handheld mobile computers and barcode scanners for retail, logistics, and warehousing. It is an emerging player competing with Touchstar's rugged handheld portfolio in cost-sensitive deployments.
- WorkWave: WorkWave provides field service, last-mile delivery, and fleet management software. It is an emerging SaaS competitor to Touchstar's PODStar and fleet management platforms, focused on small and mid-market fleets.
Direct peers
- Datalogic: Datalogic manufactures rugged handheld computers, scanners, and mobile data capture devices for retail, logistics, and manufacturing. It is a direct competitor to Touchstar in rugged industrial mobile devices and proof-of-delivery workflows.
- Zebra Technologies: Zebra Technologies is the global leader in rugged enterprise mobile computing, barcode scanning, and RFID. It directly competes with Touchstar in rugged PDAs and tablets for logistics, warehousing, and field operations, serving many of the same enterprise verticals.
- Panasonic (TOUGHBOOK): Panasonic TOUGHBOOK produces rugged laptops, tablets, and handhelds for field service, utilities, and logistics. It is a direct competitor in the rugged mobile computing category that underpins Touchstar's hardware strategy.
- Geotab: Geotab is a leading fleet telematics platform with millions of subscribed vehicles. It directly competes with Touchstar's vehicle tracking and telematics offering for enterprise fleet operators in logistics and distribution.
- Totalmobile (Totalmobile Group): Totalmobile is a UK-based mobile workforce management software vendor serving utilities, facilities, and public sector field operations. It competes directly with Touchstar ATC's workforce management offerings in complex environment verticals.
Broad incumbents
- Trimble Transportation: Trimble provides fleet management, telematics, and logistics software to enterprise customers globally. It competes with Touchstar's Fuelstar and telematics offerings for fuel distribution and logistics fleets, but at significantly larger scale.
- Honeywell (Intermec): Honeywell's Safety and Productivity Solutions division (which absorbed Intermec) offers rugged mobile computers and data capture solutions. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping rugged handheld and mobility offerings for warehouse and logistics customers.
- Descartes Systems Group: Descartes provides logistics technology including route planning, mobile workforce, and delivery solutions. It is a broad incumbent competing with Touchstar's Evolution and PODStar platforms in transport and logistics operations software.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Touchstar plc social profiles
Digital presenceTouchstar plc compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Touchstar plc financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Touchstar plc leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Touchstar plc subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Touchstar plc funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Touchstar plc M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Touchstar plc
What does Touchstar plc do?
Touchstar plc designs and delivers mobile computing solutions, operational software platforms (Evolution, Fastlane, Fuelstar, PODStar), rugged mobile devices, fleet tracking and telematics, and integrated fire and security systems. The company provides turnkey solutions combining hardware, software, connectivity, and site infrastructure for logistics, transport, warehousing, retail, fuel distribution, and critical operational environments. Its ATC subsidiary delivers workforce management software on a SaaS/recurring revenue basis.
Is Touchstar plc a public or private company?
Touchstar plc is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Touchstar plc founded?
Touchstar plc was founded in 1904. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Touchstar plc based?
Touchstar plc is headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Touchstar plc make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Solutions, saaS/Recurring Revenue, professional Services and facilities Management Solutions.
Who are Touchstar plc's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Cipherlab and WorkWave. Direct peers are Datalogic, Zebra Technologies, Panasonic (TOUGHBOOK), Geotab and Totalmobile (Totalmobile Group). Broad incumbents are Trimble Transportation, Honeywell (Intermec) and Descartes Systems Group.
Does Touchstar plc have an API?
No public API is recorded for Touchstar plc.
What industry is Touchstar plc in?
Touchstar plc's product category is Mobile Computing and Operational Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACALAB, Rugged Handhelds & Mobile Computers, with a secondary code of BPAMANAF, Fleet, Asset Tracking & Telematics Location Platforms. Its NAICS code is 334118 and its SIC code is 3571.