How to read this comparison
This comparison focuses on suppliers most commonly encountered in UK hazardous area electrical projects. It covers only factual, verifiable characteristics, manufacturing location, certification scope, lead time, and product type, rather than commercial claims.
Three important caveats:
- Certification scope changes. Certificate schedules are updated regularly. Always verify current certification scope directly with the manufacturer or on the relevant certification database (EU ATEX, UKEX, IECEx).
- Lead time is a snapshot. Lead times vary with order volume, raw material availability, and the supplier's current production schedule.
- Custom vs standard. Most manufacturers have a mix of catalogue (off-the-shelf) products and custom-fabricated products. Lead times for custom work are longer than for catalogue items.
UK enclosure manufacturers compared
| Manufacturer | UK manufacturing | Primary materials | ATEX cert scope | Custom capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| indEx Enclosures | Yes (Ashford, Kent) | 316L SS, 304 SS, GRP | ATEX, IECEx, UKCA, Zone 0/1/2, IIC, T6 | High, bespoke fabrication |
| Abtech | Yes (Runcorn) | GRP, 316L SS, aluminium | ATEX, IECEx, UKCA | Medium, range extensions |
| R. STAHL | No (Germany) | Aluminium, SS, GRP | ATEX, IECEx, UL/CSA, INMETRO | Medium (catalogue focus) |
| Weidmüller | No (Germany) | GRP, SS, PA66 | ATEX, IECEx | Low (catalogue) |
| Hawke International | Yes (Manchester) | Brass, SS, nylon (glands) | ATEX, IECEx, UKCA | Medium (gland focus) |
| Ce-Tek | Yes (Durham) | GRP, 316L SS | ATEX, UKCA | Medium |
indEx Enclosures
indEx Enclosures designs and manufactures ATEX-certified enclosures at its facility in Ashford, Kent. The product range covers three main families: the iTB (stainless steel terminal box), the iSTB (standard stainless terminal box), and the iGRP (GRP terminal box). All are certified under ATEX, IECEx, and UKCA to Ex eb IIC T6 Gb and Ex tb IIIC T80°C Db as standard.
The focus is on custom stainless steel enclosures, with short lead times, and 24-hour quotes. Sizes (to the mm), entry configurations, and internal fitting are all specifiable. Standard sizes range from 75×80×55 mm to 400×600×200 mm for GRP, with stainless sizes from 120×120×90 up to and beyond 1200×1000×300 mm for cabinet applications. Lead times for custom stainless enclosures are 3–4 weeks.
Certificates are issued by CML (UK Notified Body).
Abtech
Abtech is a UK manufacturer based in Runcorn, Cheshire, producing a range of GRP, stainless steel, and aluminium ATEX enclosures. Their product range is broad, from small instrument housings to large control system enclosures. They hold ATEX, IECEx, and UKCA certification.
Abtech has particular strength in GRP enclosures for chemical and offshore applications. Their Multibox range of modular GRP enclosures is well established in the UK offshore market. Custom fabrication capability is available for project-specific requirements, though catalogue products form the majority of their volume.
R. STAHL
R. STAHL is a German manufacturer with a long history in explosion protection equipment. Their product portfolio is extensive, enclosures, control stations, luminaires, cable glands, and switching equipment, and their certification scope covers multiple international markets (ATEX, IECEx, UL/CSA for North America, INMETRO for Brazil).
R. STAHL does not manufacture in the UK. Products are imported from Germany, which adds lead time and freight cost compared to UK-manufactured alternatives. For large petrochemical projects with international certification requirements, their multi-market certification scope is a significant advantage.
Weidmüller
Weidmüller is primarily a terminal block and connectivity manufacturer, but also supplies ATEX-certified enclosures, particularly in GRP and stainless steel. Their strength is in providing the complete Ex e system, certified enclosure, certified terminals, certified glands, from a single supplier, which simplifies system documentation.
Their enclosure range is largely catalogue-based with limited custom capability. For standard-size terminal boxes with Weidmüller terminals, the single-supplier system documentation can simplify the installation and inspection process for contractors.
Hawke International
Hawke International, based in Manchester, is the market-leading UK supplier of ATEX-certified cable glands. Their enclosure range is secondary to their glands business, they supply GRP and stainless steel enclosures as part of a system solution alongside their glands.
For projects where Hawke glands are specified (common in offshore and petrochemical), using Hawke enclosures offers simplified system documentation. Their ATEX and IECEx certification is well established, and their UK manufacturing base provides short lead times for gland products.
Ce-Tek
Ce-Tek is a UK manufacturer (Durham) specialising in GRP and stainless steel ATEX enclosures. They hold ATEX and UKCA certification and focus on the UK and export market. Their product range covers standard terminal boxes and junction boxes, with custom fabrication available for project specifications.
Ce-Tek's strength is in GRP enclosures, particularly for chemical plant and water industry applications. Lead times are competitive with other UK manufacturers, and they have experience with project-specific certification documentation requirements.
How to choose
The right manufacturer depends on the specific project requirements:
| Requirement | Key factors to assess |
|---|---|
| UK offshore, Zone 1, IIC, bespoke sizes | UK manufacturing, IIC certification, custom fabrication capability, marine material experience |
| Multi-national project with US, EU, and UK certification | Multi-market certification scope (ATEX + IECEx) |
| Custom sizes, short lead time | Custom manufacturing capability, short lead times, ATEX + IECEx certification |
| Complete system (enclosure + terminals + glands, single supplier) | Supplier that certifies all three components to compatible standards |
| Chemical processing, corrosive atmosphere | GRP or 316L SS capability, chemical resistance data for gasket and coating materials |
Always verify the current certification scope directly, catalogue information and website data can lag behind certificate updates. The EU ATEX database, the UK UKEX scheme (via UKAS), and the IECEx OD database are the authoritative sources for current certification status.