about us
Design-led perimeter security, built for installers
UMD is a UK manufacturer of perimeter security systems, built around a simple belief: products should be designed properly from the start, manufactured with control, and supported by people who understand how they are installed, maintained and used in the real world.
From our base in Newark, we design and manufacture gates, barriers, turnstiles, road blockers, height restrictors and pedestrian access systems for trade customers across the UK. Our products are built around strength, reliability, ease of installation and long-term performance.
We are not simply assembling products from a catalogue. UMD is a design-led manufacturer. Every product is developed with practical site use in mind — from how it is installed, to how it is commissioned, to how easily it can be accessed and maintained years later.
That approach is what we call The UMD Way: design it properly, build it reliably, test it thoroughly, and support it with the knowledge of the people who made it.
Designed Differently From the Start
UMD began with a straightforward idea: the perimeter security industry needed products that were stronger, more reliable and easier for installers to work with.
That thinking came from real experience in the industry. Too often, products looked right on paper but created problems once they reached site — whether through difficult installation, awkward maintenance, unreliable operation or a lack of practical support. UMD was built to take a different approach.
From the beginning, our focus has been on designing products around the full life of the system. That means thinking beyond the finished gate, barrier or turnstile and considering the people who need to transport it, install it, commission it, service it and rely on it every day.
As the business has developed, that principle has stayed the same. We have continued to invest in in-house design, fabrication, automation, finishing, testing and technical support so that we can control the details that matter.
Today, UMD remains rooted in British manufacturing, practical engineering and long-term customer relationships. We are proud of where we came from, but our focus is always on improving what we do next — better products, better processes, stronger support and a more dependable experience for our trade customers.
Our philosophy How we manufacture
Everything we manufacture is built around control, consistency and accountability.
By keeping key processes in-house, UMD is able to manage the details that directly affect product quality: design, fabrication, automation, finishing, assembly, testing and technical support. This gives our customers confidence that the product they receive has been built to a consistent standard and checked by people who understand the system.
Manufacturing at UMD is not just about producing steel or aluminium products. It is about building reliable access systems that work in demanding environments, install efficiently and continue to perform over the long term.
That is why our manufacturing process is closely linked to our design philosophy. The way a product is made, assembled, wired, finished and tested all contributes to how well it performs on site.
Designed Around Automation
Automation is a core part of the UMD approach.
Our control systems, wiring arrangements and drive configurations are designed with consistency, reliability and installer familiarity in mind. Where possible, we aim to create commonality across our product range so that installation, commissioning and troubleshooting are more straightforward for engineers on site.
This is an important part of The UMD Way. A product should not only be strong mechanically; it should also be practical electrically and simple to support.
By considering automation at the design stage, we can build products that are easier to commission, easier to maintain and better suited to the demands of busy commercial and industrial environments.
Cutting-edge fabrication
Our fabrication process is built around strength, accuracy and repeatability.
From heavy-duty steel construction to modern aluminium gate systems, our products are manufactured with attention to the details that influence performance: alignment, rigidity, fixing points, service access, finish quality and long-term durability.
Using modern design and manufacturing methods, we are able to produce both standard products and bespoke solutions while maintaining control over quality and consistency.
For UMD, fabrication is not simply about making something fit. It is about building the product correctly from the start so that it is easier to install, easier to maintain and more reliable in use.
Finishing, the UMD way
A product’s finish is more than its appearance. It is part of its long-term performance.
UMD has invested in in-house finishing capability so that we can maintain greater control over preparation, coverage, consistency and final presentation. This helps ensure that our products leave the factory with a durable, professional finish suited to external environments.
Bringing finishing in-house also supports the wider UMD approach: fewer handovers, greater accountability, better process control and a more consistent result for our customers.
Every stage matters — from design and fabrication through to preparation, coating, assembly and dispatch. The finish is the final visible expression of the care taken throughout the manufacturing process.
Final Assembly & Testing
Before a product leaves UMD, it must be assembled, checked and tested.
Final assembly is where the mechanical, electrical and safety elements come together. Drives, controls, safety systems and key operating features are reviewed so the product is ready for installation and commissioning.
Our approach is practical and thorough. We want installers to receive products that have been built with care, checked properly and supported by a team that understands how they work.
This is central to The UMD Way: no avoidable guesswork, no unnecessary complexity, and no passing problems down the line. We build products to perform from day one.
Committed to people, committed to the future
UMD is built by people who care about doing the job properly.
Our team includes experience across design, fabrication, automation, finishing, assembly, technical support, customer service and administration. Each part of the business plays a role in delivering the final product and supporting the customer.
We believe strong manufacturing businesses are built through skills, standards and shared responsibility. That means investing in people, developing knowledge, improving processes and creating an environment where quality matters.
We are also committed to supporting the future of British manufacturing. Through training, apprenticeships, local employment and responsible investment, UMD aims to build a business that supports its customers, its people and the wider community.
For us, success is not just about what we manufacture. It is about how we manufacture it, how we support it, and how we continue to improve.
Why choose UMD products
When you choose UMD, you are choosing products designed by people who understand the realities of perimeter security.
Our gates, barriers, turnstiles, road blockers and access systems are developed with installers, engineers and end users in mind. They are built to be strong, reliable, practical to install and straightforward to maintain.
The difference is in the approach. We design from the start with the full product journey in mind — manufacture, delivery, installation, commissioning, servicing and long-term use.
That is what sets UMD apart.
100% rated for high-traffic locations
UMD products are designed for dependable operation in demanding environments.
From busy commercial entrances to industrial sites and controlled access points, our systems are built with the expectation that they will be used every day. Strength, reliability and long-term performance are considered from the outset, not added later.
Where products are intended for high-use environments, we design the mechanical structure, drive systems, controls and safety features to work together as a complete system.
Design-led philosophy
Colour and customisation
Every site is different, and the entrance to a site often forms an important part of its overall appearance.
UMD offers a wide range of colour and customisation options, helping customers align their perimeter security products with the look and requirements of the project.
From standard RAL colours to bespoke design details, our aim is to provide products that combine strength and reliability with a professional finish.
Customisation should not compromise practicality. Our design and manufacturing approach ensures that appearance, performance and installation requirements are considered together.
What’s next for UMD?
UMD will continue to develop products, processes and support around the needs of trade customers.
Our focus remains on practical innovation: products that are stronger, easier to install, easier to maintain and more reliable in use. We will continue to invest in design, manufacturing capability, technical support and product development so that our customers can rely on UMD as a long-term supply partner.
The future of UMD is built around the same principles that shaped the business from the beginning: design it properly, manufacture it with control, test it thoroughly, and support it with people who understand the product.
British-made. Design-led. Installer-focused. Built the UMD Way.
