A Glasgow-based manufacturer whose technology is used by some of the world’s biggest music artists is ramping up production after securing a £40,000 funding boost to support growing international demand.
Fretronics Engineering, a specialist designer and manufacturer of professional audio electronics, has doubled monthly production of its flagship audio redundancy system following strong sales and orders linked to artists including Harry Styles, Sabrina Carpenter, Blink-182, Benson Boone and Niall Horan.
The company has secured the loan through the Investment Fund for Scotland, delivered by DSL Business Finance as part of the British Business Bank initiative.
Founded by electronics engineer and musician Olly Warner, Fretronics Engineering manufactures the RSW Auto Switching Redundancy System in Govan, Glasgow. The technology monitors a live performance’s primary audio system and automatically switches to a backup system if a failure occurs, ensuring uninterrupted sound for audiences and performers.
The funding comes after the company’s initial production run of 50 units sold strongly, prompting plans to increase manufacturing capacity and build stock levels to meet demand from customers around the world.
Fretronics Engineering was formally incorporated in 2022 but traces its origins to Warner’s university studies in electronics, electrical engineering and music. Since launching, the business has designed and manufactured custom audio equipment for artists including Coldplay, Lewis Capaldi, Biffy Clyro, Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold, The 1975 and Yungblud.
The company has also secured new retail partnerships in the UK, Germany and the United States, helping to accelerate sales growth.
Warner said the investment would allow the business to capitalise on growing demand and strengthen its manufacturing capabilities.
“Our products are trusted by leading artists and engineers around the globe for their performance, reliability and build quality.
“We’ve been incredibly pleased with the success we’ve seen so far and wanted to capitalise on that momentum to fulfil a growing client base and have more stock available on demand. The funding has provided us with the capital we need to purchase parts and increase our production levels.”
Olly Warner, Fretronics Engineering.
The company, which currently employs four people, is also planning to expand into neighbouring premises and recruit additional staff as production volumes continue to rise.
The loan was provided through the British Business Bank’s £150m Investment Fund for Scotland, which was launched in 2023 to improve access to finance for SMEs. The fund has so far deployed £36.5m across 92 investments, supporting 83 businesses and leveraging a further £33.9m in private-sector funding.
Sarah Newbould, Senior Investment Manager for Nations and Regions Funds at the British Business Bank, said Fretronics Engineering demonstrated the type of innovation the fund was designed to support.
“Fretronics Engineering is at the forefront of technological innovation in the music industry and shows huge potential for growth,” she said. “It is great to be able to support the firm’s development as it increases capacity for future orders.”
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