Reach and Rescue

What Reach and Rescue does

Reach and Rescue is a UK-based manufacturer of long-reach telescopic water rescue equipment, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The company's core product is a carbon composite telescopic rescue pole system claimed to be the world's longest, extending up to 60 feet (18-20m) in as little as 40 seconds. The pole platform integrates with a modular attachment architecture featuring 20+ interchangeable tools (body hooks, cameras, line hooks, throwbags, swan hooks, rope blades) and is packaged into purpose-built kits for specific verticals: Ultralite Pole Kit for general water rescue, Animal Rescue Pole Kit for wildlife organizations, and Offshore Pole Kit for maritime operations. Complementary products include the Portsafe public access rescue equipment security system and the FReD (Fast Rescue Deployment) remote-controlled water rescue buoy launched in 2025.

The company's business model is hardware-centric direct and channel sales, with quote-based pricing for poles, attachments, and kits. Revenue streams include rescue equipment sales and training services delivered through a Rescue 3 Accredited partnership covering water awareness, swift water rescue, and flood rescue courses. Customer segments span UK and international fire and rescue services (80% of UK FRS penetration), maritime operators (P&O Ferries, Peel Ports, PGS, MDL Marinas), animal welfare organizations (RSPCA as flagship partner with 550 equipped officers), police and security services, and public authorities installing Portsafe systems at waterways. Distribution combines a UK direct sales team with an international distributor network across 48 countries, supported by trade exhibition presence at METSTRADE, Seawork, and the Emergency Services Show.

Reach and Rescue is founder-led, with Director Jo Taylor recognized through an MBE in 2020 and the company winning the Queen's Award for Enterprise Innovation in 2021. Operations are bootstrapped with no documented external venture or institutional funding. Manufacturing recently expanded into facilities 6 times larger than the previous site (178 square metres). The company reports its products have prevented 50+ deaths globally and that 550 RSPCA officers use its equipment daily, positioning it as a niche specialist in a defensible but small addressable market.

Name

Reach and Rescue

Legal name

Reach & Rescue Limited

Website

https://reachandrescue.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Reach and Rescue is a UK-based manufacturer of long-reach telescopic carbon composite water rescue poles and modular attachments, serving fire and rescue services, maritime operators, animal welfare organizations like RSPCA, and public safety authorities across 48 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Rescue Equipment

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAJANAG

Firefighting & Casualty Stabilization (Marine Fire, De-watering)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Marine & Shipbuilding/Marine Salvage Services

Keywords

• Water rescue equipment
• Telescopic rescue poles
• Man overboard recovery
• Animal rescue poles
• Public water safety

Headquarters

HQ city

Wigan

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Rescue Equipment Sales: Direct sales of telescopic rescue poles, attachments, and rescue kits to emergency services, maritime operators, animal welfare organizations, and public authorities. Products include standalone poles, bundled kits (Ultralite Pole Kit, Animal Rescue Pole Kit, Offshore Pole Kit), individual attachments, and the Portsafe public access system.
2. Water Rescue Training Services: Training services delivered through approved partner Rescue 3 Accredited. Courses cover Water Awareness & Safety, Safe Working Near Water, Water Rescue First Responder, Swift Water Rescue Technician, and Swift Water Rescue Boat Operator. Compliant with UK Government National Flood Enhancement Concept of Operation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Reach and Rescue manufactures long-reach carbon-composite telescopic rescue poles (up to 60ft/18m) and a broad range of modular attachments, kits, and accessories that allow emergency services, maritime operators, animal welfare organisations, and the general public to retrieve casualties from water at safe distances without entering the water. The portfolio includes the Portsafe public-access rescue cabinet system and the FReD remote-controlled water rescue buoy, with products distributed in 48 countries under a lifetime guarantee.

Product overview

Reach and Rescue is a UK-based manufacturer of long-reach telescopic water rescue poles and equipment. The core product line consists of Carbon Composite Telescopic Rescue Poles (extending up to 60ft/18m) which serve as the foundation platform. These poles integrate with a comprehensive range of interchangeable attachments (body hooks, cameras, line hooks, throwbags, swan hooks, rope blades, etc.) and are packaged into purpose-built kits (Ultralite Pole Kit, Animal Rescue Pole Kit, Offshore Pole Kit). The company also offers the Portsafe Public Access Water Rescue System (a security cabinet for public access to rescue equipment) and FReD (Fast Rescue Deployment) - a remote-controlled water rescue buoy. Products serve fire and rescue services, maritime operators, animal welfare organizations (RSPCA), and general public water safety applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Portsafe: World's first public access water rescue system - a key-code-operated safety and security system securing rescue poles and throwlines for public use at waterways.
• FReD (Fast Rescue Deployment)

Products and services

• Carbon Composite Telescopic Rescue Poles Long-reach telescopic rescue poles made from carbon composite, extending up to 60ft (18m) in approximately 40 seconds, forming the platform that integrates with all Reach and Rescue attachments and kits.
• Portsafe Public Access Water Rescue System World's first uniformed public access water rescue security system: code-operated safes that secure rescue poles and throwlines at waterways, fixed into position for use by the public during emergencies.
• FReD – Fast Rescue Deployment Water Rescue Buoy Remote-controlled water rescue buoy with self-righting function, GPS, IP68 waterproofing, up to 1000m range, 13 knot top speed, 250kg capacity, CE / ISO 13485 / ANSI Z359.14 certified, credited with saving 16+ people.
• Ultralite Pole Kit General-purpose water rescue kit combining a telescopic pole with essential attachments for water rescue operations by emergency services and responders.
• Animal Rescue Pole Kit Bespoke kit developed with RSPCA for animal rescue, comprising a pole plus animal-specific attachments (crook, pro snare, rescue net, clamping float, rope blade, swan/bird hook, kit bag, pole bag).
• Offshore Pole Kit Specialist kit for maritime and offshore rescue, bundling a telescopic pole with attachments configured for marine environments and offshore vessel operations.
• Wading Pole Industry-specified strengthened wading pole with metal-reinforced ergonomic T-bar handle, rigid lightweight fibreglass shaft, metal end caps, floats in water and is non-conductive.
• Emergency Throwline Throwbag Rescue device with rope loosely stuffed for tossing to a casualty, deployable from land, boat, or stable platform, available in 25m or 30m rope options.

Quantifiable outcome

• Poles can extend to full 20m length in as little as 40 seconds
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• RESQCT (Pune, India)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2021Animal rescue charity in India using Reach and Rescue equipment for wildlife rescue operations. Rescued four trapped animals in one day including birds and bats from kite wire. Demonstrates international adoption of animal rescue pole kits.
• Manchester City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2019Collaborated with Reach and Rescue, Canal & River Trust, and Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service on water safety transformation along Rochdale Canal. Installation of Portsafes at accident blackspots part of larger initiative including safety barriers and increased lighting.
• Canal & River TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2019National charity managing Britain's waterways collaborated with Reach and Rescue to install Portsafe public access rescue systems along dangerous canal areas. Installation at Lock 89 of Rochdale Canal and Canal Street in Manchester, areas with multiple drowning fatalities. Trust advocates for water safety and improved rescue equipment at waterways.
• Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2019Official Water Safety Partnership combining RLSS UK's training and education expertise with Reach and Rescue's innovative rescue equipment. Partnership supports drowning prevention strategy and Don't Drink and Drown campaign. Reach and Rescue donated Portsafe dedicated to drowning victim Tom Jones.
• Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2019Challenged Reach and Rescue to develop Portsafe to overcome limitations of lifebuoys including vandalism and theft. Led collaborative installation of Portsafes across 12 Bedfordshire locations along the River Bedford. Created demonstration videos showing ease of use for public. Installation resulted in successful real-life rescue within days.
• Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaborated with Reach and Rescue on water safety initiatives including Portsafe installations at high-risk Manchester waterways. Recommended Portsafe to Salford City Council for drowning prevention. Firefighters demonstrated equipment on BBC North West Tonight and conducted training exercises.
• Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Incorporated Reach and Rescue telescopic rescue pole into man overboard recovery procedures on seismic exploration fleet vessels. VP Einar Nielson stated it adds value to existing tools. Regular safety drills conducted with body hook and carbon fibre line hook attachments.
• Jubilee Fishing Company Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019IMCA safety audit recommended adding telescopic rescue poles to fishing vessel safety equipment. Company conducts regular safety and training exercises with the pole as part of UK Government initiative to eliminate preventable deaths in fishing industry by 2027.
• International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Global trade association for marine contractors. Conducts safety audits on vessels and recommends telescopic rescue poles as necessary safety equipment. Pursuing zero injury goal in offshore industry.
• Fishing Industry Safety Group (FISG)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019UK industry safety group working to eliminate preventable deaths in fishing industry by 2027. Identifies man overboard prevention and recovery as key improvement area. Collaborates with Reach and Rescue on industry-wide safety improvements.
• Bedfordshire and Luton CouncilscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaborated with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service on Portsafe installations across 12 locations. Councils funded and supported deployment of public access rescue equipment at high-risk waterways.
• RSPCAflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Reach and Rescue developed bespoke Animal Rescue Pole Kits for RSPCA, the UK's largest animal welfare charity. Over 500 kits delivered with custom blue-colored poles, RSPCA branding, and specialized animal rescue attachments including swan hooks, bird nets, rope blades, and pro snares. All 550 RSPCA animal collection officers now carry the equipment daily. Partnership born from extensive trials in real-life situations to replace 30-year-old equipment that was no longer fit for purpose.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ocean Safety: UK-based marine safety equipment supplier specializing in lifejackets, liferafts, and man overboard recovery equipment — directly comparable to Reach and Rescue's core water rescue and MOB product categories, serving overlapping fire and rescue and maritime customers.
• Crewsaver: Manufacturer of marine safety equipment including lifejackets and personal flotation devices. Comparable to Reach and Rescue as a UK-based marine safety specialist serving commercial maritime and emergency services customers.
• International Safety Products (ISP): Manufacturer of marine safety equipment including lifejackets and immersion suits. Similar to Reach and Rescue as a specialist marine safety equipment maker serving commercial maritime and rescue services end markets.
• Kestrel Lifesaving: Manufacturer of inflatable lifesaving equipment and marine safety products. Comparable to Reach and Rescue as a specialist lifesaving equipment company serving commercial maritime, port, and emergency service customers.
• Mullion Survival: Specialist manufacturer of personal flotation devices and marine safety equipment. Comparable to Reach and Rescue as a niche marine safety specialist with overlapping commercial maritime and emergency services customer segments.
• Spinlock: UK marine safety equipment manufacturer known for lifejackets, harnesses, and rope-holding devices. Similar to Reach and Rescue as a UK-headquartered specialist serving maritime and emergency response markets with proprietary safety hardware.

Broad incumbents

• Lalizas: Global marine safety equipment manufacturer with comprehensive lifesaving and rescue product lines. Similar to Reach and Rescue as a broad marine safety incumbent competing for similar commercial, recreational, and emergency response customers.
• Plastimo: Established European marine safety and equipment brand with broad portfolio spanning lifejackets, harnesses, and MOB recovery. Comparable to Reach and Rescue as a broader marine safety incumbent serving similar end markets in Europe and globally.
• Survitec Group: Global marine and safety equipment provider with broad product portfolios including lifesaving appliances, marine evacuation systems, and survival equipment. Comparable to Reach and Rescue as a major incumbent in marine safety with significant fire and rescue and maritime customer overlap.

Emerging players

• Restube: Manufacturer of compact, inflatable water rescue devices for water sports and emergency use. Comparable to Reach and Rescue as an emerging player in the water rescue equipment category with a focus on portable, easy-to-deploy rescue solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/Reachandrescue
• Xx.com/reachandrescue

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Reach and Rescue