Stephenson Gobin
Stephenson Gobin is a UK-based manufacturer of electromagnetic activation devices for fire-safety, security, and ventilation systems, operating through Geofire and SG Transmission sub-brands to serve a global B2B customer base as a subsidiary of British Engines Group.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersBishop Auckland, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Stephenson Gobin does
Stephenson Gobin is a UK-based industrial manufacturer founded in 1972 that designs and produces electromagnetic activation devices for fire-safety, security, and ventilation systems. The company operates through two sub-brands: Geofire, which supplies electromagnetic fire door holders and related life-safety products (including the Agrippa Fire Door Holder range introduced in 2021), and SG Transmission, which manufactures electromagnetic brakes and power-transmission components. Manufacturing is centred in Bishop Auckland, with the registered office located in Newcastle upon Tyne, and the business serves a global B2B customer base spanning construction, OEM manufacturing, and building-services integrators.
The revenue model is built around direct B2B sales with quote-based pricing that reflects the engineered, frequently application-specific nature of its electromagnetic components. Stephenson Gobin is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Engines Group, providing the operational backing, capital access, and group-level procurement advantages of a larger industrial holding company, while remaining a discrete commercial brand in its served markets. Distribution and demand generation appear sales-led, with international reach evidenced by the launch of a German-language website in 2023 and the rollout of a public fire-door safety initiative the same year, both of which point to an active outward commercial posture.
The underlying technology centres on electromechanical actuation — electromagnets that hold, release, brake, or transmit torque — applied to fire-door retention and industrial power-transmission use cases. Product specifications and certifications (particularly for life-safety applications such as fire door holders) are a critical element of the value proposition, since substitution requires re-specification by the building owner or OEM rather than simple price comparison.
Stephenson Gobin firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Stephenson Gobin
- Legal name
- Stephenson Gobin Limited
- Website
- https://stephensongobin.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Stephenson Gobin is a UK-based manufacturer of electromagnetic activation devices for fire-safety, security, and ventilation systems, operating through Geofire and SG Transmission sub-brands to serve a global B2B customer base as a subsidiary of British Engines Group.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Stephenson Gobin industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Electromagnetic Components
- NAICS
- Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Smoke Control & Fire/Smoke Damper Inspection & Testing (IMAIAJAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fire Alarm Systems (Inspection/Testing/Monitoring/Service) (IMAIAJAC)
Keywords
Where Stephenson Gobin is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bishop Auckland
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Stephenson Gobin business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Electromagnetic Device Manufacturing: Design, manufacture and sale of electromagnetic activation devices, clutches, brakes, and related industrial components for fire safety, security, ventilation and power transmission applications
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Stephenson Gobin product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stephenson Gobin designs and manufactures electromagnetic activation devices for fire, security, and ventilation systems (including fire door holders, closers, smoke curtain releasers, and roof vent winches), as well as electromagnetic clutch and brake solutions for industrial power transmission and motion control applications. The company operates two sub-brands — Geofire (fire/security/ventilation) and SG Transmission (clutches and brakes) — and offers a customised design service to deliver tailored solutions to a global industrial customer base.
Product overview
Stephenson Gobin is a world leading manufacturer of high-quality electromagnetic solutions for industrial applications, operating since 1972. The company offers two main sub-brands: Geofire (electromagnetic activation devices for fire, security, and ventilation systems including fire door holders, closers, smoke curtain releasers, and roof vent winches) and SG Transmission (electromagnetic clutch and brake solutions for power transmission and motion control). The product portfolio includes the Agrippa Fire Door Holder with unique fire safety technology, serving global industrial customers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Geofire: Designs and manufactures electromagnetic activation devices used as part of fire, security or ventilation systems, including fire door holders, closers, smoke curtain releasers and roof vent winches.
- SG Transmission
Products and services
- Geofire (sub-brand product line) Electromagnetic activation devices for fire, security, and ventilation systems, including fire door holders, closers, smoke curtain releasers, and roof vent winches, sold to fire safety and ventilation system manufacturers and installers.
- SG Transmission (sub-brand product line) Electromagnetic clutch and brake solutions for industrial power transmission and motion control applications, guaranteeing safety, accuracy, and performance, sold to industrial machinery OEMs and equipment manufacturers.
- Agrippa Fire Door Holder An electromagnetic fire door holder with unique activation technology that provides enhanced fire safety by holding fire doors open under normal conditions and releasing them during fire emergencies.
- Fire Door Holders
Companies that use Stephenson Gobin
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Stephenson Gobin technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Stephenson Gobin partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- British Engines GroupcoreStephenson Gobin is part of the British Engines Group, a parent company providing a safe, stimulating and rewarding working environment. The Group encompasses multiple subsidiaries including Geofire and SG Transmission brands, with shared corporate policies on privacy, anti-slavery, and anti-corruption.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Stephenson Gobin competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- D+H Mechatronic: D+H Mechatronic is a German manufacturer of smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems (SHEVS) and natural ventilation drives, with electromagnetic actuators for window drives and roof vents. Comparable to Stephenson Gobire's smoke curtain releasers and roof vent winches.
- Geze: Geze is a German specialist in door, window, and safety technology, including electromagnetic fire door retainers, smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems, and hold-open devices. Direct competitor to Stephenson Gobin's Geofire brand in fire door holders, closers, and roof vent winches.
- Warner Electric: Warner Electric is a US-headquartered manufacturer of electromagnetic clutches, brakes, and motion control products for industrial machinery. Direct comparable to SG Transmission's clutch and brake portfolio, particularly for power transmission and motion control OEMs.
- Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): Rixson is a US-based specialist in door holders and pivots, including electromagnetic fire door hold-opens and closers, now part of ASSA ABLOY. Direct niche competitor to Geofire in fire door holding and closing hardware for commercial buildings.
- Magnet-Schultz: Magnet-Schultz is a German manufacturer of electromagnetic actuators, solenoids, and related components serving industrial, automotive, and safety applications. Highly comparable to Stephenson Gobin's electromagnetic activation device and clutch/brake product lines, especially in the German market SG Transmission is targeting.
- Ogura Clutch: Ogura is a Japanese manufacturer of electromagnetic clutches and brakes with global industrial OEM customers in automation, medical, and machinery markets. Comparable to SG Transmission in electromagnetic power transmission components and motion control applications.
- Norton Door Controls (ASSA ABLOY): Norton Door Controls manufactures low-energy door operators, electromagnetic hold-opens, and closers for commercial and life safety applications. Direct competitor to Geofire in fire-rated door closing and electromagnetic hold-open solutions.
- Kendrion: Kendrion is a Dutch-headquartered manufacturer of electromagnetic actuators, clutches, and brakes for industrial automation, automotive, and energy applications. Direct overlap with Stephenson Gobin's SG Transmission clutch and brake portfolio and Geofire-style electromagnetic activation devices.
Emerging players
- Pilz Automation Safety: Pilz is a German specialist in machinery safety automation, including safety relays, fire and gas detection, and operator controls. Adjacent to Stephenson Gobin's industrial safety-focused motion control and fire safety products, though focused on electronic safety rather than electromagnetic activation.
Broad incumbents
- ASSA ABLOY: ASSA ABLOY is a Swedish global leader in access solutions and door hardware, including electromagnetic fire door holders, closers, and life safety products via brands like ABLOY and Yale. Operates as a broad incumbent with fire safety products overlapping Geofire, but at much larger scale and across many product categories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Stephenson Gobin social profiles
Digital presenceStephenson Gobin financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Stephenson Gobin leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Stephenson Gobin subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Stephenson Gobin funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Stephenson Gobin 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 Stephenson Gobin
What does Stephenson Gobin do?
Stephenson Gobin designs and manufactures electromagnetic activation devices for fire, security, and ventilation systems (including fire door holders, closers, smoke curtain releasers, and roof vent winches), as well as electromagnetic clutch and brake solutions for industrial power transmission and motion control applications. The company operates two sub-brands — Geofire (fire/security/ventilation) and SG Transmission (clutches and brakes) — and offers a customised design service to deliver tailored solutions to a global industrial customer base.
Is Stephenson Gobin a public or private company?
Stephenson Gobin is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Stephenson Gobin founded?
Stephenson Gobin was founded in 1972. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Stephenson Gobin based?
Stephenson Gobin is headquartered in Bishop Auckland, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Stephenson Gobin make money?
One revenue line is on record: electromagnetic Device Manufacturing.
Who are Stephenson Gobin's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are D+H Mechatronic, Geze, Warner Electric, Rixson (ASSA ABLOY), Magnet-Schultz, Ogura Clutch, Norton Door Controls (ASSA ABLOY) and Kendrion. Pilz Automation Safety is listed as an emerging player. ASSA ABLOY is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Stephenson Gobin have an API?
No public API is recorded for Stephenson Gobin.
What industry is Stephenson Gobin in?
Stephenson Gobin's product category is Industrial Electromagnetic Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAJAI, Smoke Control & Fire/Smoke Damper Inspection & Testing, with a secondary code of IMAIAJAC, Fire Alarm Systems (Inspection/Testing/Monitoring/Service). Its NAICS code is 3336 and its SIC code is 3600.