What is this company?

Active status, holding company, founded 41 years ago, 26 employees, revenue range: 1m-15m, real address, 3 directors, 1 owner, located in Faversham. Regular importer of filters for optical devices, various optical elements, microscope parts and accessories, parts for non-optical microscopes (335.0 months imported). Regular exporter of microscope parts and accessories, various miscellaneous parts, filters for optical devices, lasers (not diodes) (139.0 months exported). Operates in the processing & manufacturing, the professional services, the optical equipment, the creative and industrial design, the lenses, binoculars, microscopes and the likes industries.

Who owns this company?

Cairn Research Trustees Ltd owns this company. The list of owners was changed four years ago. It is not exhaustive, as only owners with more than twenty five percent of shares are published.

Who are the directors of this company?

Thomas Martin Vincent, Sims Neil Ashley, Hill Andrew are the directors of this company. The list of directors was changed one year ago.

When was this company founded?

The company was incorporated forty one years ago on January 29, 1985.

Where is this company based?

The registration address is ME13 8UP, England, Faversham, Kent, Cairn Research, Graveney Road. The address is real address as one company registered at the address.

What does this company import to the UK?

The top import category of the regular importer company is Filters for optical devices, Various optical elements, Microscope parts and accessories, Parts for non-optical microscopes, imported for 335.0 months. The last import operation was made on January 01, 2026.

What does this company export from the UK?

The top export category of the regular exporter company is Microscope parts and accessories, Various miscellaneous parts, Filters for optical devices, Lasers (not diodes), exported for 139.0 months. The last export operation was made on November 01, 2025.

Which countries does this company export to?

The company exports to Australia, Canada, China, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Denmark, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and United States. (non-official data, calculated by Corpsignals)

Which countries does this company import from?

The company imports from Belgium, China, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Czechia, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Thailand, and United States. (non-official data, calculated by Corpsignals)

Which ports does this company use for trade?

The company uses the following ports for trade: Belfast Airport, Birmingham Airport, Dover, Dover / Eurotunnel, East Midlands Airport, Eurotunnel, Felixstowe, Glasgow Airport, Harwich, Immingham Docks, Killingholme, Liverpool Docks, London, London Gateway Port, London Heathrow Airport, London Stansted Airport, Manchester Airport, Southampton, and Thamesport. (non-official data, calculated by Corpsignals)

What type of transport does this company use for trade?

The company uses Air transport, Roll on Roll off (RORO), and Sea transport (not vehicle on ferry) for trade. (non-official data, calculated by Corpsignals)

What does this company do?

The company operates in the processing & manufacturing, the professional services, the optical equipment, the creative and industrial design, the lenses, binoculars, microscopes and the likes industries.

How big is this company?

It's a small company as it met two conditions of three: turnover less than £10.2 million, balance sheet less than £5.1 million, employees less than 50. The last reported current assets is £2,994,761.

Can I trust this information?

CorpSignals sources its data from UK government records including Companies House and HMRC trade data. Data is updated every 24 hours. While we ensure accuracy through automated validation, please refer to original government sources for legal or compliance purposes.

Cairn Research Limited

Active

Small

Holding

41 years

26 employees

£2,994,761 (cur assets)

1m-15m

Regular importer

Regular exporter

Real address

3 directors

1 owner

Faversham

Field of Operation

specialised design activities

74100 51404 companies

Manufacture of optical precision instruments

26701 410 companies

Website

cairn-research.co.uk↗

Social media

linkedin↗ instagram↗ facebook↗ youtube↗

Summary

Cairn Research Ltd, based in Faversham, UK, is a small, active holding company established 40 years ago. Employing 26 people and holding assets of £3,895,105, the company operates from a real address and is overseen by three directors and a single owner. It’s a regular importer and exporter of optical and medical tools and devices, with 366 months of import activity and 107 months of export activity recorded.

The company’s website highlights its role as a manufacturer of optical precision instruments and provider of specialised design services. It offers a range of products, including image splitters, light sources, microscope cameras, and custom design solutions. The site emphasizes its ability to provide both off-the-shelf products and bespoke solutions for scientists worldwide, with a particular focus on microscopy systems and custom-designed optics. The company also offers light sheet imaging modules and a modular, extensible microscope platform. Client testimonials praise Cairn Research’s ability to meet experimental needs and provide reliable equipment.

Financially, Cairn Research Ltd shows some concerning trends. Current assets have decreased by 11%, dropping to £3,900,000, while net assets have fallen by 9.4% to £3,600,000. Trade debtors have plummeted by a significant 45%, down to £1,100,000, which could indicate issues with customer payments. Bank borrowings increased by 14%, reaching £290,000, and cash reserves have declined 14%, sitting at £1,100,000. Creditors decreased by 17%, suggesting better debt management. The company’s small size (meeting two of three criteria for turnover under £10.2m, assets under £5.1m, and fewer than 50 employees) allows for flexibility, but the decrease in assets and increase in bank borrowings warrants closer attention. There is no auditor mentioned, likely due to its status as a small company, so the financial data is unaudited. The company’s focus on custom design and high-precision instruments suggests a niche market, but the financial figures indicate a need to carefully manage costs and maintain strong customer relationships.

Registered in England/Wales under the registration number 01881330, with a registered address at ME13 8UP, England, Faversham, Kent, Cairn Research, Graveney Road.

WARNING: The numbers have been rounded for simplicity and may be inaccurate.Please, refer to the latest financial report for verification.
Ports, countries, transport, and price/kg were calculated by CorpSignals; non-official data, may contain errors.

Owners & PSC

Cairn Research Trustees Ltd

4 years

75%+

Managers

Thomas Martin Vincent

Research scientist

Sims Neil Ashley

3 years

Director

Hill Andrew

13 years

Technical director

Last reports

Download the last financial report

Download the last confirmation report

* may contain a full shareholder list

Last news

2026-01-22 Latest
Total exemption full accounts made up to 2025-04-30
2025-06-04
Confirmation statement made on 2025-05-18 with no updates
2025-01-16
Termination of appointment of Jeremy Graham as a director on 2024-12-20

Importer profile by HS codes

Click on the map to see detailed UK statistics on HS code, including companies list.

Import HS codes in detail

8501 8501-Electric motors Devices that convert electricity into motion, used in appliances or machinery 3 months, last: 2023-11-01

8504 8504-Electrical transformers and converters Devices like transformers, rectifiers, and inductors used to change electrical voltage or current 2 months, last: 2025-06-01

8523 8523-Storage media for sound and data recording Includes discs, tapes, smart cards, and other devices for recording sound or data, whether recorded or not. Also includes master discs for production 24 months, last: 2024-09-01

8525 8525-Broadcasting and TV transmission equipment Includes TV cameras, digital cameras, and video recorders for broadcasting or television 12 months, last: 2024-06-01

8529 8529-Parts for audio and video devices Spare parts used mainly with audio, video, and broadcasting equipment like radios, TVs, and cameras 5 months, last: 2018-07-01

8534 8534-Printed circuits Flat boards with electronic circuits printed on them, used in devices like computers and phones 1 months, last: 2020-09-01

8537 8537-Electric control panels and distribution boards Electric control panels and distribution boards with two or more devices for controlling or distributing electricity. These may include instruments or devices from Chapter 90 and numerical control systems, but not switching devices from heading 8517 11 months, last: 2024-10-01

8538 8538-Parts for electric control panels Parts specifically designed for use with electric control panels, distribution boards, or similar devices 1 months, last: 2022-02-01

8539 8539-Electric lamps, including LED lights and special lamps Includes all types of electric lamps like LED, ultraviolet, and infrared lamps, as well as sealed beam units and arc lamps 15 months, last: 2025-11-01

8541 8541-Semiconductor devices Includes diodes, transistors, and other semiconductor-based devices like light-emitting diodes (LEDs), photovoltaic cells, and mounted piezo-electric crystals 25 months, last: 2024-05-01

8542 8542-Electronic integrated circuits Microchips and circuits used in electronic devices 1 months, last: 2024-02-01

8543 8543-Electrical machines with special functions Machines and devices that perform specific electrical tasks, not covered elsewhere 7 months, last: 2026-01-01

8544 8544-Insulated wires and cables Wires, cables, and optical fibers, insulated or fitted with connectors 3 months, last: 2019-12-01

9001 9001-Optical fibers, lenses, and related items Covers optical fibers, cables, polarizing sheets, lenses (including contact lenses), prisms, mirrors, and other unmounted optical elements 80 months, last: 2026-01-01

9002 9002-Optical parts for devices Lenses, prisms, mirrors, and other optical parts used in instruments or machines, excluding simple glass elements 116 months, last: 2026-01-01

9006 9006-Cameras and flashlights for photography Includes all types of cameras (except movie cameras) and flash equipment like flashbulbs, but not electric discharge lamps 2 months, last: 2023-05-01

9007 9007-Movie cameras and projectors Equipment for filming or projecting movies, with or without sound recording 1 months, last: 2022-12-01

9011 9011-Compound optical microscopes Microscopes that use light to magnify small objects, including models for taking photos or videos of tiny things 60 months, last: 2026-01-01

9012 9012-Non-optical microscopes and diffraction devices Microscopes that don’t use light, such as electron microscopes, and tools for studying light diffraction 40 months, last: 2024-05-01

9013 9013-Lasers and optical devices Lasers (except laser diodes) and other optical tools not listed elsewhere 18 months, last: 2024-12-01

9018 9018-Medical and dental tools Instruments and devices used in medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary fields, including imaging and testing equipment 6 months, last: 2023-09-01

9019 9019-Therapy and medical devices Includes massage machines, therapy devices for oxygen or aerosol treatment, and machines for artificial breathing 1 months, last: 2022-07-01

9022 9022-X-ray and radiation equipment Machines using X-rays or radiation for medical or other uses 3 months, last: 2022-11-01

9023 9023-Demonstration tools for education or exhibitions Tools and models used in schools or exhibits to show how things work, not for other uses 1 months, last: 2024-02-01

9026 9026-Tools for measuring liquids or gases Instruments for checking flow, level, pressure, or other properties of liquids or gases. Excludes medical or lab tools 1 months, last: 2024-04-01

9027 9027-Tools for testing and measuring physical or chemical properties Instruments for analyzing materials, checking heat, light, or sound levels, and measuring things like viscosity or surface tension. Includes microtomes for cutting thin samples 33 months, last: 2025-11-01

9030 9030-Electrical measuring instruments Tools like oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and devices for measuring electrical quantities or detecting radiation 6 months, last: 2026-01-01

9031 9031-Measuring tools and machines Tools and machines used to measure or check things, not listed elsewhere. Includes profile projectors 12 months, last: 2025-01-01

9032 9032-Automatic control devices Devices used to automatically regulate or control systems or processes 6 months, last: 2020-02-01

9033 9033-Parts and accessories for machines and instruments Spare parts and accessories for machines, appliances, or instruments in Chapter 90, not listed elsewhere. Includes items like screws, connectors, and other small components 1 months, last: 2021-12-01

Last imported products

Click on items to see detailed UK statistics on HS code, including companies list.

Filters for optical devices

900220

Last purchased: 2026-01-01

Port: London Stansted Airport

Country: United States

Transport: Air transport

Price: £323.81 per kg

Various optical elements

900190

Last purchased: 2026-01-01

Port: East Midlands Airport

Transport: Air transport

Price: £148.74 per kg

Microscope parts and accessories

901190

Last purchased: 2026-01-01

Port: Dover

Country: Netherlands

Transport: Roll on Roll off (RORO)

Price: £375.79 per kg

Various semiconductor tools

903089

Last purchased: 2026-01-01

Port: London Heathrow Airport

Country: United States

Transport: Air transport

Price: £414.88 per kg

Various light-based testing tools

902750

Last purchased: 2025-11-01

Country: Germany

Transport: Air transport

Price: £104.58 per kg

Various optical components

900290

Last purchased: 2025-10-01

Port: East Midlands Airport

Transport: Air transport

Price: £324.64 per kg

Various specialized testing tools

90278990

Last purchased: 2025-07-01

Port: London Heathrow Airport

Country: United States

Transport: Air transport

Price: £77.67 per kg

* Warning: Ports, countries, transport, and price/kg were calculated by CorpSignals; non-official data, may contain errors.

Exporter profile by HS codes

Click on the map to see detailed UK statistics on HS code, including companies list.

Export HS codes in detail

8504 8504-Electrical transformers and converters Devices like transformers, rectifiers, and inductors used to change electrical voltage or current 3 months, last: 2024-03-01

8505 8505-Magnets and electromagnetic devices Permanent magnets, electromagnets, and related devices like clutches and brakes 1 months, last: 2024-12-01

8517 8517-Telephones and communication devices Includes smartphones, landline phones, and devices for transmitting or receiving voice, images, or data over networks 1 months, last: 2016-07-01

8525 8525-Broadcasting and TV transmission equipment Includes TV cameras, digital cameras, and video recorders for broadcasting or television 3 months, last: 2024-12-01

8529 8529-Parts for audio and video devices Spare parts used mainly with audio, video, and broadcasting equipment like radios, TVs, and cameras 20 months, last: 2021-02-01

8532 8532-Electrical capacitors Fixed, variable, or adjustable capacitors used in electrical circuits 1 months, last: 2016-09-01

8534 8534-Printed circuits Flat boards with electronic circuits printed on them, used in devices like computers and phones 1 months, last: 2016-11-01

8540 8540-Vacuum tubes and valves Includes vacuum tubes, cathode ray tubes, and other electronic valves 1 months, last: 2021-10-01

8542 8542-Electronic integrated circuits Microchips and circuits used in electronic devices 1 months, last: 2025-11-01

8543 8543-Electrical machines with special functions Machines and devices that perform specific electrical tasks, not covered elsewhere 2 months, last: 2023-05-01

9002 9002-Optical parts for devices Lenses, prisms, mirrors, and other optical parts used in instruments or machines, excluding simple glass elements 18 months, last: 2025-11-01

9006 9006-Cameras and flashlights for photography Includes all types of cameras (except movie cameras) and flash equipment like flashbulbs, but not electric discharge lamps 7 months, last: 2024-12-01

9007 9007-Movie cameras and projectors Equipment for filming or projecting movies, with or without sound recording 1 months, last: 2023-06-01

9011 9011-Compound optical microscopes Microscopes that use light to magnify small objects, including models for taking photos or videos of tiny things 73 months, last: 2025-11-01

9012 9012-Non-optical microscopes and diffraction devices Microscopes that don’t use light, such as electron microscopes, and tools for studying light diffraction 3 months, last: 2020-07-01

9013 9013-Lasers and optical devices Lasers (except laser diodes) and other optical tools not listed elsewhere 15 months, last: 2024-12-01

9018 9018-Medical and dental tools Instruments and devices used in medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary fields, including imaging and testing equipment 7 months, last: 2022-11-01

9022 9022-X-ray and radiation equipment Machines using X-rays or radiation for medical or other uses 1 months, last: 2022-08-01

9031 9031-Measuring tools and machines Tools and machines used to measure or check things, not listed elsewhere. Includes profile projectors 3 months, last: 2022-11-01

Last exported products

Click on items to see detailed UK statistics on HS code, including companies list.

Multi-component integrated circuits (MCOs)

85423911

Last exported: 2025-11-01

Port: London Heathrow Airport

Country: China

Transport: Air transport

Price: £1869.89 per kg

Electric lamps under 100V

85392998

Last exported: 2025-05-01

Port: Dover / Eurotunnel

Transport: Air transport

Price: £99.97 per kg

High-speed transmission equipment

852581

Last exported: 2024-12-01

Port: London Heathrow Airport

Country: United States

Transport: Air transport

Price: £703.53 per kg

Rare earth metal magnets

85051110

Last exported: 2024-12-01

Port: East Midlands Airport

Transport: Air transport

Price: £49.12 per kg

* Warning: Ports, countries, transport, and price/kg were calculated by CorpSignals; non-official data, may contain errors.

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