Manufacture of optical precision instruments Companies in the UK

SIC 26701Manufacturing|137% formed since 2020|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
294
Active

294 active UK companies are classified under manufacture of optical precision instruments (SIC code 26701), a specialised sector. This sector falls under Section C — Manufacturing — of the UK Standard Industrial Classification. The sector has a relatively low 9.4% dissolution rate — 294 of 340 registrations remain active. The sector is experiencing rapid growth, with 137% of active businesses incorporated since 2020 — indicating strong recent demand. 81% of companies were formed after 2010, marking this as a sector with predominantly recent entrants. The average company age in this sector is 14.2 years. London leads with 12% of companies in this sector. Companies in this sector hold 127 government contracts valued at £12.5M.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

294
Active Companies
C
SIC Section
1924
Oldest Company
137%
Growth (2020s)
14.2 yr
Avg Company Age

A rapidly growing sector with 137% of active companies formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
15%
30%
41%
Pre-1990: 26
1990s: 23
2000s: 50
2010s: 100
2020s: 137

Data Signals

Financial
1,2997 src
Governance
1,2544 src
innovation
5342 src
Trade
5262 src
Risk
3066 src
Compliance
2587 src
growth
1412 src
ESG
393 src
corporate_structure
101 src
quality
32 src

Sector Overview

The manufacture of optical precision instruments sector has a <Link href="/glossary/company-dissolution">9.4% dissolution rate</Link>. The average active company in this sector is 14.2 years old. Geographic concentration: 12% in LONDON.

9.4%
Dissolution rate
14.2 yrs
Avg company age

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 23 (50%)Medium: 6 (13%)Large: 17 (37%)

Government Activity

Companies in the manufacture of optical precision instruments sector have been awarded 127 government contracts worth £12.5M in total.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many manufacture of optical precision instruments companies are there in the UK?

There are 294 active companies classified under SIC code 26701 (Manufacture of optical precision instruments) in the UK, out of 340 total registered.

What is SIC code 26701?

SIC code 26701 stands for "Manufacture of optical precision instruments". It belongs to Section C — Manufacturing of the UK Standard Industrial Classification.

Where are most manufacture of optical precision instruments companies located?

The largest concentrations are in LONDON (35), CAMBRIDGE (8), GLASGOW (8).

What is the average age of manufacture of optical precision instruments companies?

The average active manufacture of optical precision instruments company in the UK is 14.2 years old, with the oldest registration dating back to 1924.

What government data is available for manufacture of optical precision instruments companies?

Our database contains 4,370 data signals across 10 categories for active manufacture of optical precision instruments companies. The largest category is Financial with 1,299 signals from 7 government sources.

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Data is updated daily from official UK government sources including Companies House. Information is provided for reference only.