University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories
The University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories is a UKAS-accredited commercial test house within the University of Salford, providing acoustic testing, calibration, and R&D services to manufacturers, consultancies, government bodies, and SMEs since 1957.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1957
- HeadquartersSalford, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories does
The University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories operates as a commercial test house embedded within the University of Salford, delivering accredited acoustic measurement, modelling, and development services to industry and government since 1957. The laboratory provides UKAS-accredited testing (No. 1262) and calibration (No. 0801) under BS EN ISO 17025:2017, spanning sound insulation, impact sound, sound absorption, sound power, noise barrier performance, vibro-acoustics, vibration isolator dynamic stiffness, and perceptual sound quality assessment.
The facility operates a portfolio of capital-intensive chambers including a full anechoic chamber (background noise -12.4 dBA), two semi-anechoic rooms, a large reverberation room (224 m²), a small reverberant room, a transmission suite, an ITU-R BS 1116-1 compliant listening room, and a spatial audio booth for AR/VR surround-sound testing. The lab is operationally supported by the Acoustics Research Centre, one of the largest established acoustics research groups in the world, providing specialist talent and research depth.
Revenue is generated primarily through fee-for-service acoustic testing, calibration services, bespoke diagnostic work, and longer-form R&D engagements including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (~£60k/year, partly subsidised) and research studentships (~£20k/year). Customer engagement is direct and quote-based, with courier-based intake for clients shipping equipment. Named clients include the BBC, Qualcomm, Ofcom, and UK Parliament (Portcullis House). The organisation targets acoustic consultancies, local authorities (for Building Regulations Approved Document E compliance), construction and product designers, and aerospace and defence manufacturers.
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories
- Legal name
- University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories
- Website
- https://acoustictesting.salford.ac.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1957
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories is a UKAS-accredited commercial test house within the University of Salford, providing acoustic testing, calibration, and R&D services to manufacturers, consultancies, government bodies, and SMEs since 1957.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Acoustic Testing and Calibration Services
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro industry
- Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards)Healthcare & Life Sciences/Life Science Tools & Services (CRO/CDMO/Lab Services)/Laboratory Equipment, Instruments & ConsumablesNoise & Vibration Monitoring (Environmental/Community/Construction)Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Environmental Monitoring & Sampling (Air/Water/Soil/Noise)
Keywords
Where University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salford, Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Acoustic Testing Services: UKAS accredited acoustic testing services including sound insulation, impact sound insulation, sound absorption, sound power testing, and road/railway noise barrier testing. Fees vary by test type.
- Acoustic Calibration Services: UKAS accredited and traceable calibration services for sound level meters, calibrators, microphones, and tapping machines. Also includes pre-completion testing calibration packages for Building Regulations.
- Research and Development Consultancy: Focused research and development contracts in acoustics and vibration. Funding options include standard testing, bespoke testing, consultancy (day rate), research studentships (£20k/year), and KTP partnerships (£60k/year subsidized).
- Innovation Vouchers: Innovation Vouchers up to £5,000 for SMEs in Greater Manchester to access facilities and expertise, requiring matching contribution from the business.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard and UKAS Testing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bespoke Testing |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Consultancy Services |
| Subscription | Annual | Research Studentship |
| Subscription | Annual | Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | One time/ perpetual license | Innovation Vouchers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories operates as a commercial test house delivering UKAS accredited acoustic testing and calibration services to industry clients. Core offerings encompass acoustic measurement and testing (sound insulation, impact sound, sound absorption, sound power, road and railway noise barriers), acoustic calibration of instrumentation (sound level meters, microphones, calibrators, tapping machines), diagnostic testing (transfer path analysis, modal analysis, nearfield acoustic holography, source localization), and funded research and development in acoustics and vibration. Services are delivered through world-class specialized facilities including anechoic chambers, reverberation rooms, a transmission suite, and an ITU standard listening room.
Product overview
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories operates as a commercial test house offering UKAS accredited acoustic testing and calibration services. The core offerings include Acoustic Testing Services (covering sound insulation, impact sound, sound absorption, sound power, noise barriers, and bespoke diagnostic testing), Acoustic Calibration Services (UKAS accredited calibration for sound level meters, microphones, and tapping machines), Diagnostic Testing, and Research and Development services. The laboratory provides specialized sub-products including Sound Quality Testing using ITU-compliant listening rooms, Vibro-Acoustics Testing, Vibration Isolator Dynamic Stiffness Testing, and Product Noise Control solutions. The organization supports its testing capabilities with world-class facilities including an Anechoic Chamber, Semi-Anechoic Room, Reverberation Chamber, Small Reverberant Room, Transmission Suite, Listening Room, and Spatial Audio Booth. Founded in 1957, the laboratory is supported by the Acoustics Research Centre and offers various funding options including Innovation Vouchers, KTP partnerships, and research council awards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Acoustic Testing Services UKAS accredited acoustic testing services covering sound insulation testing, impact sound insulation testing, sound absorption testing, sound power testing, road and railway noise barrier testing, sound quality testing, vibro-acoustics testing, vibration isolator dynamic stiffness testing, and product noise control solutions. Delivered to manufacturers, construction firms, regulators and product designers needing accredited measurement data to BS EN ISO standards.
- Acoustic Calibration Services UKAS accredited and traceable calibration services for sound level meters, sound calibrators, microphones, tapping machines and other acoustic instrumentation, supporting multiple manufacturers. Also includes pre-completion testing calibration packages aligned to Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document E.
- Diagnostic Testing Services Non-standard diagnostic acoustic and vibration tests including sound power rank ordering, transfer path analysis, sound intensity measurements, nearfield acoustic holography, modal analysis, power flow methods, and acoustic and vibration source localization for clients needing to identify noise sources and propagation paths.
Quantifiable outcome
- Lab results typically 5dB higher than on-site results for sound insulation testing due to controlled conditions
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Greater Manchester Business Growth HubminorPartnership with Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub to offer Innovation Vouchers enabling SMEs in Greater Manchester to access up to £5,000 funding for acoustic testing facilities and expertise.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute): Standards body that defines acoustic and audio performance standards for telecom equipment (e.g., hands-free listening tests). Indirectly related as Salford's listening room and auditioning work supports ETSI-style compliance testing.
Broad incumbents
- Intertek: Major TIC company offering acoustic testing, product certification, and performance verification across multiple industries. Direct overlap with Salford's accredited product noise and sound power testing services.
- Brüel & Kjær (HBK): Global leader in acoustic measurement instrumentation and related calibration/test services. Comparable in offering acoustic test and calibration services to industrial clients, with a much broader product portfolio including the equipment Salford uses.
- SGS: World-leading testing, inspection, and certification company offering acoustic and noise testing for consumer products, construction, and industrial clients. Direct competitor for accredited noise/emissions test work.
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL): UK's national measurement institute providing acoustic calibration, testing, and standards. Direct overlap with Salford's UKAS-accredited calibration and metrology services, with comparable remit but broader scientific scope.
- Element Materials Technology: Global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) provider with acoustic and vibration testing capabilities. Competes for the same industrial customers needing accredited acoustic testing of products and components.
- TÜV SÜD: Global testing and certification body with acoustic and noise testing services for products, building materials, and transportation. Competes for similar industrial and regulatory compliance work.
Emerging players
- HEAD Acoustics: Specialist in sound quality and acoustic testing equipment, with adjacent service offerings in voice/audio quality testing. Comparable in the perceptual/sound quality testing arena where Salford's ITU listening room is used.
- National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL): Australia's national acoustic research organization, providing applied acoustic testing and research services. Comparable academic-to-commercial model with deep acoustic expertise and accredited testing capabilities.
- Acoustics Research Centre, University of Salford: The academic research arm that supports the lab. Closely related in mission and personnel, providing the underlying acoustic expertise that backs Salford Acoustic Labs' commercial offering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of Salford Acoustic Laboratories compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories 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 University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories
What does University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories do?
The University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories operates as a commercial test house delivering UKAS accredited acoustic testing and calibration services to industry clients. Core offerings encompass acoustic measurement and testing (sound insulation, impact sound, sound absorption, sound power, road and railway noise barriers), acoustic calibration of instrumentation (sound level meters, microphones, calibrators, tapping machines), diagnostic testing (transfer path analysis, modal analysis, nearfield acoustic holography, source localization), and funded research and development in acoustics and vibration. Services are delivered through world-class specialized facilities including anechoic chambers, reverberation rooms, a transmission suite, and an ITU standard listening room.
Is University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories a public or private company?
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories founded?
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories was founded in 1957. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories based?
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories is headquartered in Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Acoustic Testing Services are the primary driver. The others are acoustic Calibration Services, research and Development Consultancy and innovation Vouchers.
Who are University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories's main competitors?
ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Intertek, Brüel & Kjær (HBK), SGS, National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Element Materials Technology and TÜV SÜD. Emerging players are HEAD Acoustics, National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) and Acoustics Research Centre, University of Salford.
Does University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories.
What industry is University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories in?
University of Salford Acoustic Laboratories's product category is Acoustic Testing and Calibration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAL, Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards), with a secondary code of EUAHACAG, Noise & Vibration Monitoring (Environmental/Community/Construction). Its NAICS code is 541380 and its SIC code is 8734.