Liverpool city region advanced manufacturer Isotech – whose customers have included space agency NASA – expands through the acquisition of a long-term supplier. Tony McDonough reports
In its most recent accounts Southport-based advanced manufacturer Isotech said it was ready to invest after seeing a surge in revenues and pre-tax profits.
Now it is making good on that pledge with a new acquisition. Isotech, registered on Companies House as Isothermal Technology, has bought long-term supplier Metrosol. Value of the deal was not disclosed but Metrosol had net assets of £274,624 as of December 31, 2025.
This acquisition brings 20-year design partnership in-house and secures pioneering Johnson Noise Thermometer expertise. Metrosol was founded by Paul Bramley and has been responsible for the design of some of Isotech’s best-known instruments, including the microK, milliK and microK².
Isotech employs more than 50 people. It is an advanced manufacturer of temperature calibration systems. In simple terms its products can monitor temperatures to an extremely high degree of accuracy.
This level of temperature measurement is critical in scientific laboratories and in other business sectors. Around 80% of its products are exported overseas to more than 125 countries. Customers include US space agency NASA and electronics giant Panasonic.
In its annual accounts for the 12 months to March 31, 2025, Isotech revealed a 10% rise in revenues to £7.3m. For the second year in a row the business saw a surge in pre-tax profits, rising 65% to £1.53m.
Fay Tavener, majority shareholder of Isotech, said: “This is a natural next step after 20 years of close collaboration.
“Bringing Metrosol into Isotech helps secure the future of the business, strengthens our technical capability, and creates a strong foundation for further growth and new jobs in Southport.”
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Metrosol became a world pioneer in Johnson Noise Thermometry, one of the most promising and technically demanding areas in precision thermometry. It developed the world’s first practical Johnson Noise Thermometer, helping move the technique from theory into real-world use.
Paul Bramley added: “I am very pleased to see Metrosol become part of Isotech. The transition provides long-term security for my team, and it allows me to concentrate on instrument design, which has always been the thing that has interested me the most.”