About Us

Safety Devices is a name synonymous with Roll Over Protection. As Europe’s largest roll cage manufacturer we have been designing and manufacturing since the “dawn” of the roll cage - an unparalleled forty years of proven engineering experience. Our reputation precedes us and Safety Devices ROPS (Roll Over Protection Systems) are used by many race teams and some of the world’s largest companies.

With a professionalism, and attention to detail that sets us apart from our competition, we only use carefully selected and fully traceable materials for our products. We manufacture ROPS which are designed with not only safety and functionality but also aesthetics in mind. Our fully finished products come with comprehensive fitting guidance and support with the option of Safety Devices installation.

The Organisation

The Design, R&D, Sales & Marketing teams are based in our UK Headquarters in Mildenhall. Manufacturing operations are based in continental Europe. We believe in employing the best personnel and employ some of the finest engineers in the industry.  The life blood of the business comes from our exceptional team who have a passion about what they do and a dedication to finding the best solution for every project.

R&D

New designs, both for motorsport and fleet have to meet ever increasing demands. New in-car technologies, greater demands for occupant safety and awareness of pedestrians make research and development an essential ingredient for the design of a good, safe and secure roll cage. Over the 40 years we’ve been in business, we've been perfecting our skills and understand the needs of customers and the stringent demands for each roll over protection system we design.

Experience

Over the last four decades Safety Devices has become The Authority on Roll Over Protection and as such our opinion is regularly sought after by professionals, media and enthusiasts alike.

We are a “business to business” operation and work directly with Military and Fleet organisations.  As a manufacturer we don’t generally sell direct to the public. Consumer purchases in Motorsport and Expedition can be made through the Safety Devices network of authorised dealers which are located throughout the UK, Europe, America, the Middle East and Australia. To find a dealer, search for the cage you want through the roll cage selector and you will find the appropriate dealer who will be able to help you.

History

Safety Devices has been building the best in roll over protection for four decades. In 1964 Brian Wilkinson and John Aley designed the world's first roll cages for rally driver John Aley after a serious roll over incident.  Aley Bars became Safety Devices in 1972 around the time the FIA decided to make roll cages mandatory and the homologated cage was born. Safety Devices then went on to create external roll cages for Land Rover and the British Army in 1976. No surprises that Camel Trophy* turned to Safety Devices in 1980 to fully equip their fleet for the first expedition across the Amazon basin.

*The Camel Trophy began in 1980 with a crossing of the Transamazonica highway, subsequently called "The Olympics of 4x4". They were all about adventure and exploration. Over the next eight years, the expeditions crossed Sumatra, Papua New Guinea, Zaire, Brazil, Borneo, Australia, Madagascar (the first north-south crossing) and Sulawesi before returning to the Amazon. These gruelling tests of human endurance brought together teams from around the world in the hope of triumphing in some of the most treacherous off-road conditions imaginable.

Safety Devices has been in and around East Anglia throughout its life.

The Company has been in the ownership of a number of high profile owners down the years including Brian Wilkinson, Tony Willis, Colin Mynott, Rex Muldoon, Winfred Matter, and Tony Fall. Today the Company is in the ownership of a small group of shareholders led by Managing Director Gavin Davidson.  It is run as a professional and responsible business cognisant of its responsibilities to its customers, “We want to continue to be known for design excellence – cages that fit perfectly and will stand scrutiny when tested” says Gavin Davidson.

Safety Devices Racing

Safety Devices practice what they preach and our race team regularly compete in the Ma5da Racing Championship. They can be seen participating at circuits around the country in Safety Devices’ own race car. See videos of us racing in the Videos section of our Media Gallery of this website.

Membership

SDI is an ISO 9001 Company and a member of the FIA Institute and the PAAA.