Starna Scientific Limited

The principal activity of the company is the development and manufacture of traceable reference materials and precision optical components for laboratory and instrument users. Sales are achieved through a mix of direct relationships and established distributors across mature markets. Starna’s reputation and differentiation are built on accreditation (ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, and ISO 17034) and metrology expertise supported by robust certification. The model emphasises quality, dependable lead times, and technical support. Trading conditions were mixed, with steady demand in core lines and selective input cost pressure. Revenue was broadly resilient at £10.0m ( 2024 : £10.16m). Gross margin improved to 50% ( 2024 : 48%), reflecting an evolving product mix and disciplined cost control. Our ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, and ISO 17034 accreditations continue to underpin customer confidence and support pricing power through demonstrable quality and traceability. The company considers both revenue and gross margin as key performance indicators. UK domestic tax changes have further increased labour costs due to higher NIC rates and reduced thresholds. Conversely, potential government investment in technology could support future demand for our products. Operating environment and logistics. Disruption to global sea freight routes had a limited impact on outbound sales. However, certain raw materials experienced longer inbound lead times and cost variability. These effects were managed through forward purchasing, alternative sourcing where appropriate and pragmatic inventory buffers. Overlaps between raw material chains drove price and availability pressures for specific inputs. We mitigate this through supplier diversification and the qualification of secondary sources where possible.