SIC code 26701 covers manufacture of optical precision instruments businesses. With 285 active companies, this is a specialised niche within the UK business landscape. It falls under Section C (Manufacturing) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.
See the full industry analysis on the Manufacture of optical precision instruments industry page.
The average company age is 13.9 years, indicating an established sector with a mix of long-running businesses and newer entrants. The sector is experiencing strong growth, with 36% of active companies formed since 2020 and 32% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate points to continued demand for manufacture of optical precision instruments services. Companies are geographically dispersed across the UK, with no single location dominating. The top three locations — LONDON, CAMBRIDGE, GLASGOW — together account for just 18% of the sector.
SIC code 26701 stands for "Manufacture of optical precision instruments" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section C — Manufacturing. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.
There are currently 285 active companies registered under SIC code 26701 in the UK, out of 310 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 92%, meaning 8% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.
The top locations for manufacture of optical precision instruments companies (SIC 26701) are: LONDON (35), CAMBRIDGE (8), GLASGOW (8). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.
The sector is growing: 36% of currently active SIC 26701 companies were formed since 2020, and 32% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for manufacture of optical precision instruments services in the UK.
Companies classified under SIC 26701 have an average age of 13.9 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include TRUMPF LASER UK LIMITED, GOOCH & HOUSEGO PLC, VISION ENGINEERING LIMITED.
Related SIC codes within the same division include: 26110 (Manufacture of electronic components), 26400 (Manufacture of consumer electronics), 26511 (Manufacture of electronic measuring, testing etc. equipment, not for industrial process control), 26200 (Manufacture of computers and peripheral equipment). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.
You can search for companies with SIC code 26701 (Manufacture of optical precision instruments) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.
Search, filter, and analyse 285 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.
Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.