Top 10 Rotary Encoder Manufacturers in the UK 2026

Finding the right Rotary Encoder Manufacturers can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With countless suppliers claiming to offer precision, reliability, and performance, how do you separate genuine industry leaders from those who simply talk a good game? The stakes are high—choosing the wrong encoder supplier means production delays, compatibility headaches, and costly replacements that eat into your bottom line.

Industrial automation demands accuracy, and rotary encoders are the unsung heroes powering everything from CNC machines and robotics to semiconductor manufacturing equipment and renewable energy systems. A single point of failure in your encoder supply chain can bring an entire production line to a standstill. That's why engineering teams and procurement professionals across the UK are constantly asking: Who truly delivers the quality, technical support, and delivery performance that modern manufacturing requires?

This guide cuts through the noise. We've evaluated the UK's leading Rotary Encoder Manufacturers based on real-world performance criteria—manufacturing capability, product range, innovation track record, and the ability to serve demanding sectors like aerospace, automotive, and precision engineering. Whether you're specifying encoders for a new machine design, sourcing replacement components, or evaluating partners for long-term supply agreements, our 2026 rankings give you the intelligence you need to make confident decisions.

Stop wasting time on unqualified suppliers. Discover which British encoder manufacturers have the technical expertise, quality certifications, and production capacity to support your projects—and get the quotes you need to move forward.

 UK Rotary Encoder Market Overview 2026

The UK rotary encoder market in 2026 reflects broader global trends toward increased automation, robotic integration, and precision motion control while simultaneously exhibiting distinctive characteristics shaped by British industrial requirements and regulatory standards. Market analysts project continued growth in the industrial encoder sector, with the global encoder market expected to reach approximately USD 4.91 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate exceeding eight percent. UK manufacturers occupy a meaningful position within this expanding market, particularly in specialised segments requiring high-precision measurement, extreme environmental tolerance, and custom engineering solutions.

Several technological trends define the current UK rotary encoder landscape. Optical encoders remain dominant for applications requiring the highest resolution and accuracy, though magnetic encoders have gained substantial ground due to their superior durability in harsh environments and immunity to contamination. Inductive encoder technology, in which UK manufacturers特别是 Zettlex (now part of Celera Motion) have pioneered significant advances, offers compelling advantages for applications involving extreme temperatures, heavy contamination, or mechanical stress that would compromise optical or magnetic alternatives. The integration of digital communication protocols—including EtherCAT, PROFINET, CANopen, and Ethernet/IP—has become standard across modern encoder product lines, facilitating seamless integration with programmable logic controllers and industrial computing platforms.

The aerospace and defence sectors continue to drive significant demand for UK-manufactured encoders, with domestic producers benefiting from proximity to major aerospace primes including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Airbus UK operations. Medical technology applications, particularly in precision surgical robotics and diagnostic equipment, represent a growing market segment where British manufacturers leverage their expertise in high-reliability, miniaturised encoder designs. The transition toward renewable energy infrastructure, including offshore wind installations, has created additional demand for robust rotary encoders capable of operating in challenging marine environments—a niche where several UK manufacturers have developed specialised product offerings.

 1. Renishaw plc

Renishaw plc stands as arguably the most prominent name in British precision metrology and encoder technology, headquartered in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire. Founded in 1973 by Sir David McMurtry and John Deer, the company has grown from a small engineering workshop into a global technology enterprise employing over 5,000 people worldwide, with significant manufacturing operations remaining firmly based in the United Kingdom. Renishaw's reputation rests upon an unwavering commitment to precision engineering, evidenced by their development of some of the world's most accurate linear and rotary encoders used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment, coordinate measuring machines, and high-performance motion control systems.

The company's encoder product portfolio spans multiple technologies, with particular strength in optical and inductive systems. The RESOLUTE true absolute optical encoder series delivers resolution down to 1 nanometre and offers exceptional reliability for demanding motion control applications, while the ASTRiA inductive rotary absolute encoder represents Renishaw's entry into non-contact inductive technology, combining multi-track scale geometry with advanced signal processing to achieve high-accuracy position measurement without the fragility of optical systems. The TONiC interferometric encoder system provides ultra-high precision for applications requiring sub-micron accuracy, finding extensive use in scientific instrumentation and semiconductor lithography equipment.

Renishaw's market differentiation stems from continuous investment in research and development, with the company allocating substantial resources to advancing encoder technology for emerging applications including additive manufacturing, healthcare robotics, and precision agriculture. Their global service and support network, combined with applications engineering expertise, enables customers to optimise encoder selection and integration for complex motion control challenges.

Main Products:

• RESOLUTE true absolute optical encoders

• ASTRiA inductive rotary absolute encoders

• TONiC interferometric encoder systems

• Linear and rotary magnetic encoders

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 2. Zettlex (Celera Motion, Novanta)

Zettlex, now operating under the Celera Motion brand following acquisition by Novanta Inc., maintains its engineering headquarters and primary manufacturing operations in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, positioning the company at the heart of the United Kingdom's technology corridor. The Cambridge location facilitates ongoing collaboration with leading academic institutions and provides access to a deep pool of precision engineering talent. Zettlex has carved a distinctive market position through its exclusive focus on inductive position sensor technology, developing encoders that employ printed circuit coil arrangements rather than traditional optical or magnetic sensing mechanisms.

The technical foundation of Zettlex inductive encoders rests on the principle of electromagnetic induction between precisely arranged coils, enabling position measurement without physical contact between sensor and target. This approach delivers fundamental advantages for applications involving extreme environmental conditions—Zettlex encoders operate reliably across temperature ranges from -40°C to +125°C, tolerate heavy contamination including dust, oil, and metal swarf, and resist vibration and mechanical shock that would damage optical systems. The absence of delicate optical components or magnetic targets susceptible to demagnetisation results in encoders with exceptional longevity and reliability in demanding industrial environments.

Zettlex product lines include the IncOder series of angle encoders offering precision up to 20 arc-seconds without any form of scale or target on the rotating element, making them ideal for applications where installing a target proves impractical. The SpeedSeries inductively coupled encoders provide high-speed position feedback for dynamic applications, while the PositionSeries linear and rotary encoders serve applications requiring absolute position feedback with resolutions down to micrometre levels.

Main Products:

• IncOder series angle encoders

• SpeedSeries inductively coupled encoders

• PositionSeries absolute encoders

• Custom inductive sensor solutions

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 3. British Encoder Products Company

British Encoder Products Company operates as the European manufacturing and distribution arm of Encoder Products Company (EPC), headquartered on the Whitegate Industrial Estate in Wrexham, North Wales. Established to serve UK, European, African, and Australasian markets, British Encoder Products combines American manufacturing expertise with local stockholding and technical support, delivering rapid response times for urgent customer requirements. The Wrexham facility maintains comprehensive encoder assembly and testing capabilities, enabling custom configuration and rapid prototyping for specialised applications.

The company's product portfolio emphasises industrial-grade rotary encoders designed for the demanding environments encountered in factory automation, motor feedback, and motion control systems. British Encoder Products offers both incremental and absolute encoder configurations, with options spanning shafted and through-bore designs, various mounting configurations, and multiple output signal formats including TTL, HTL, and industry-standard fieldbus interfaces. The company's Accu-Coder product line represents their premium offering, featuring high resolution up to 65,536 pulses per revolution, exceptional durability ratings, and comprehensive environmental sealing to IP67 standards.

British Encoder Products distinguishes itself through flexibility in accommodating custom requirements, maintaining engineering capability to modify standard products or develop entirely custom encoder solutions for applications with unusual form factor, interface, or environmental requirements. The company's position as a UK-based manufacturer with direct access to EPC's broader engineering resources provides customers with the combined advantages of domestic supply chain relationships and access to one of the world's established Rotary Encoder Manufacturers.

Main Products:

• Accu-Coder incremental encoders

• Absolute rotary encoders

• Shafted and through-bore encoders

• Custom encoder configurations

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 4. Positek Ltd

Positek Ltd, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, has established itself as a leading specialist in inductive position sensors and rotary position transducers, with particular strength in applications requiring non-contact measurement in challenging environmental conditions. Founded with a focus on displacement transducer technology, the company has expanded its portfolio to serve diverse markets including industrial automation, aerospace, marine, and mobile equipment sectors. Positek's Cheltenham facility encompasses full design, development, and manufacturing capabilities, enabling rapid iteration of custom solutions and ensuring tight quality control over production processes.

The company's rotary position sensor product line employs proprietary inductive sensing technology that eliminates physical contact between sensor and target, delivering extended operational life compared to contacting technologies such as potentiometers. Positek rotary sensors are available in single-turn and multi-turn configurations, with angular measurement ranges spanning from limited rotation (as little as 16 degrees) through continuous rotation depending on application requirements. Output signal options include analogue voltage and current loops as well as digital interfaces, providing flexibility for integration with various control system architectures.

Positek's market positioning emphasises reliability and durability, with products designed and tested for extended service in harsh operating environments. The company's sensors routinely achieve IP67 or superior environmental sealing, operate across wide temperature ranges, and resist the effects of vibration, shock, and electromagnetic interference. This ruggedisation philosophy makes Positek products particularly suitable for mobile equipment, off-highway vehicles, and industrial applications where contamination, weather exposure, or mechanical stress would compromise less robust sensing technologies.

Main Products:

• Inductive rotary position sensors

• Single-turn and multi-turn sensors

• Linear position transducers

• Custom sensor solutions

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 5. Penny & Giles (Curtiss-Wright Controls)

Penny & Giles, operating as part of Curtiss-Wright Controls within the Industrial division, maintains its headquarters and primary engineering facilities in Christchurch, Dorset, on the southern coast of England. The Penny & Giles brand carries substantial heritage in precision instrumentation, having established reputation over decades for high-quality position sensors and control devices serving aerospace, defence, and industrial markets. The Christchurch operation combines this established expertise with Curtiss-Wright's broader resources, maintaining strong UK-based engineering capability while benefiting from international manufacturing and distribution support.

The company's contactless rotary position sensor technology represents their primary encoder-related product offering, employing magnetic pickup principles rather than optical or inductive sensing to achieve non-contact angular position measurement. The SRH series of rotary sensors has found extensive application in commercial vehicle systems, industrial equipment, and aerospace platforms where the absence of physical contact between sensor elements delivers superior reliability and longevity compared to contacting technologies. The SRH520CN variant incorporates CANbus communication capability, enabling direct integration with vehicle and machine control networks without requiring separate signal conditioning electronics.

Penny & Giles rotary sensors are engineered for extreme environmental performance, with sealing ratings up to IP69K providing protection against high-pressure washdown, dust ingress, and temporary submersion. Operating temperature ranges extend from -40°C to +125°C, accommodating the thermal extremes encountered in engine compartment and outdoor equipment applications. The company's product development emphasises functional safety considerations, with certain sensor families certified for use in safety-related systems meeting relevant machinery and automotive standards.

Main Products:

• SRH series contactless rotary sensors

• CANbus-enabled position sensors

• Joystick and control devices

• Aerospace-grade sensors

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 6. Variohm EuroSensor Ltd

Variohm EuroSensor Ltd, headquartered in Towcester, Northamptonshire, operates as both an independent sensor manufacturer and a comprehensive distributor of sensor technologies from leading global producers. Established in 1974, the company has developed over four decades of expertise in supplying sensor solutions across diverse industrial sectors, combining proprietary product development with strategic distribution partnerships to offer one of the broadest sensor portfolios available from a single UK source. The Towcester facility encompasses sales, technical support, and light manufacturing operations, with additional warehousing ensuring rapid availability of stocked products.

The company's proprietary sensor product lines include position sensors, load cells, pressure transducers, and temperature measurement devices, with rotary position sensors representing a meaningful segment of their portfolio. Variohm's approach to rotary sensing emphasises versatility, offering products spanning inductive, potentiometric, and magnetic sensing principles to address varied application requirements. The company serves as the authorised UK distributor for several international encoder manufacturers including Wachendorff, providing customers with access to comprehensive rotary encoder product lines alongside Variohm's own sensor offerings.

Variohm's market strength lies in application expertise and supply chain integration, with technical sales engineers capable of advising customers on sensor selection across multiple technologies and manufacturers. This systems-level perspective enables customers to optimise sensor solutions considering interface compatibility, environmental requirements, and total cost of ownership rather than selecting products in isolation. The company's distribution partnerships complement proprietary products, creating a single-source capability for complete sensor requirements across diverse industrial measurement applications.

Main Products:

• Rotary position sensors

• Inductive and magnetic sensors

• Digital readout systems

• Comprehensive sensor distribution

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 7. Rota Limited

Rota Limited, operating from Bury, Greater Manchester, has specialised in the design and manufacture of position transducers and level measurement instruments since the company's establishment in 1964, with linear transducer production commencing in 1993. The company underwent a formal name change from Rota Engineering Limited to Rota Limited in 2023 while maintaining continuous operations and product development activities from their Manchester-area facilities. Rota's engineering heritage in precision measurement has evolved to serve contemporary applications in hydraulic systems, industrial automation, and mobile equipment where reliable position feedback proves essential for safe and efficient operation.

The company's product portfolio focuses primarily on linear position transducers, though rotary measurement capabilities exist within their broader position sensing technology portfolio. Rota has developed particular expertise in transducers designed for integration with hydraulic cylinders, producing devices capable of providing continuous position feedback within the harsh hydraulic environment where contamination, pressure, and temperature extremes challenge conventional encoder technologies. These specialised transducers serve markets including construction equipment, agricultural machinery, material handling systems, and industrial presses where hydraulic actuation predominates.

Rota's market differentiation centres on ruggedisation and reliability for demanding environments, with products designed for extended service life in applications that would rapidly degrade less robust sensing technologies. The company's Manchester-based engineering team maintains capability to develop custom transducer solutions for specialised applications, working closely with customers in mobile equipment, marine, and industrial sectors to address unique measurement challenges.

Main Products:

• Hydraulic cylinder transducers

• Linear position transducers

• Level measurement instruments

• Custom position sensing solutions

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 8. Sensata Technologies (BEI Sensors Division)

Sensata Technologies, through its BEI Sensors division, maintains significant UK presence serving industrial and harsh-environment encoder applications, though manufacturing operations span multiple global locations. The company traces its UK heritage through the BEI Sensors brand, established as an American manufacturer with substantial European operations and distribution networks. Sensata's acquisition of BEI Sensors expanded the company's position in position sensing technologies, with UK customers accessing the comprehensive BEI Sensors product line through regional distribution and support channels.

The BEI Sensors rotary encoder portfolio encompasses both incremental and absolute configurations, with optical and magnetic sensing technologies addressing diverse application requirements. The company's industrial encoder offerings are designed for demanding environments encountered in factory automation, motor feedback, and motion control applications, with environmental sealing ratings and rugged construction enabling reliable operation in conditions involving contamination, vibration, and temperature variation. Specialised product lines address hazardous area applications where explosive atmosphere certification proves essential, serving oil and gas, chemical processing, and similar industries with intrinsically safe encoder options.

Sensata BEI Sensors emphasises product reliability and application support, with technical resources available to assist customers in encoder selection and integration. The company's global manufacturing footprint ensures availability of standard products through distributor networks, while application engineering capability enables specification of custom configurations for demanding requirements. UK customers access Sensata BEI products through authorised distribution partners, with technical support available to address integration challenges and ensure optimal encoder performance in installed systems.

Main Products:

• Incremental rotary encoders

• Absolute rotary encoders

• Hazardous area encoders

• Magnetic and optical encoders

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 9. Encoders UK

Encoders UK, established in 1994 and operating from facilities in the United Kingdom, has grown to become a significant supplier of rotary and linear encoders, offering products from multiple manufacturers alongside comprehensive technical support and repair services. While the company functions primarily as a distributor and systems integrator rather than a manufacturer, their UK-based operations include repair and calibration services, technical support, and application assistance that add substantial value beyond simple product supply. The company's longevity and market presence have established relationships with major encoder manufacturers, providing customers with access to comprehensive product portfolios through a single source.

The company's product offering spans rotary encoders, linear encoders, shaft encoders, and turret encoders from multiple manufacturers, with particular emphasis on industrial-grade products suitable for factory automation and motion control applications. As authorised distributors for HEIDENHAIN, Hengstler, and other major encoder brands, Encoders UK provides customers with access to premium products backed by manufacturer warranty and support. The company's technical staff maintain encoder expertise capable of advising on selection, installation, and troubleshooting matters, helping customers optimise encoder systems for specific applications.

Encoders UK distinguishes itself through comprehensive after-sales support, including repair services, calibration, and technical troubleshooting for installed encoder systems. The company's stockholding of common encoder models enables rapid dispatch for urgent requirements, minimising downtime when encoder replacement becomes necessary. For customers requiring specialised configurations, Encoders UK coordinates with manufacturer partners to specify custom products meeting specific requirements.

Main Products:

• Rotary encoders (various brands)

• Linear encoders

• Encoder repair and calibration

• Technical support services

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 10. Omni Sensors and Transmitters

Omni Sensors and Transmitters operates as a UK-based sensor company offering diverse measurement solutions including rotary position sensors, with operations spanning multiple product categories beyond encoders. The company maintains product availability and distribution within the United Kingdom, serving customers requiring sensor solutions for industrial, scientific, and commercial applications. While rotary encoders represent one segment of their broader sensor portfolio, the company offers products spanning humidity, temperature, pressure, and other measurement parameters alongside position sensing devices.

The company's rotary position sensor offerings include the P502 RIPS (Rotary Inductive Position Sensor) designed for industrial and scientific feedback applications, employing inductive sensing technology to achieve non-contact position measurement. The P503 Flat Rotary Sensor Assembly provides limited rotation measurement (16 to 160 degrees) with current or voltage output options, serving applications requiring compact, rugged position feedback. Rotary transducer products including the SGR Series address torque, speed, and power measurement applications with integrated signal processing electronics.

Omni Sensors and Transmitters serves customers across diverse sectors requiring sensor solutions for process control, environmental monitoring, and position measurement applications. The company's UK base provides domestic customers with accessible technical support and product availability, with ordering and support channels designed to serve both large industrial customers and smaller operations requiring individual sensor units.

Main Products:

• P502 RIPS rotary inductive sensors

• P503 flat rotary sensors

• SGR series rotary transducers

• Comprehensive sensor solutions

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 Hopo Tech(Recommend)

Hopo Technologies (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. is a leading Chinese encoder manufacturer headquartered in the Ningbo Hi-tech Industry Zone, specializing in the research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of precision motion control solutions. Established in 2013, Hopo Tech has grown into a trusted motion control partner for automation manufacturers worldwide, with over 15 years of dedicated expertise in magnetic encoder and optical encoder technology. The company operates a state-of-the-art 10,000 square meter manufacturing facility staffed by more than 100 employees, producing a comprehensive portfolio of position sensors including magnetic linear encoders, magnetic rotary encoders, optical linear encoders, optical rotary encoders, and digital readout (DRO) systems.

As a certified ISO 9001 and CE compliant encoder manufacturer, Hopo Tech serves diverse industries requiring high-precision motion control, including linear motion control systems, precision rotary motion applications, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, new energy vehicles (NEV), laser processing machinery, lithium battery production lines, photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing, industrial automation and robotics, and medical equipment. The company's commitment to innovation is evidenced by dozens of patents in magnetic encoder and optical encoder technology, with proprietary patented algorithms delivering industry-leading accuracy, noise immunity, and long-term stability even in demanding industrial environments. Hopo Tech's motion control solutions have successfully powered over 2,000 projects for more than 200 global clients, establishing the company as a reliable partner for automation manufacturers seeking cost-effective, customized encoder solutions with fast delivery and exceptional technical support.

Main Products:

• Incremental Rotary Encoders

• Absolute Rotary Encoders

• Incremental Linear Encoders

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 Conclusion

In this article, we've explored the Top 10 Rotary Encoder Manufacturers in the UK for 2026. These industry leaders are shaping the future of automation and precision motion control with their innovative solutions. From magnetic encoders to optical rotary encoders, each company offers products that enhance performance across sectors such as industrial automation, robotics, and semiconductor manufacturing.

A key common factor among these manufacturers is their commitment to precision, durability, and advanced technology. They provide high-quality solutions that deliver consistent and reliable performance, even in the harshest environments. Whether you're looking for absolute encoders, incremental encoders, or magnetic rotary encoders, these companies offer top-tier options that meet the needs of any application.

However, one standout name is Hopo Tech. With over 15 years of expertise in the field, Hopo Tech has earned its reputation for providing cost-effective, high-performance encoders. Their magnetic and optical solutions are trusted across industries for unmatched precision and reliable performance. What truly sets Hopo Tech apart is their focus on innovation, customized solutions, and exceptional after-sales support.

If you're seeking a trusted partner to enhance your motion control systems, look no further than Hopo Tech. Their ISO 9001 certified products and patented technology ensure that your automation processes operate at peak efficiency. Contact Hopo Tech today to discover how their magnetic and optical encoders can elevate your business.

Get in touch now and experience the next level of motion control!