The UK Manufacturer Behind the Access Solution
Founded in 2008. 117 employees. Over 700 million parts manufactured. We design, test, and build every product in-house, giving the UK construction industry direct access to the manufacturer.
Who is Rapid Access?
Rapid Access Ltd is a UK manufacturer of access panels, riser doors, loft hatches, and meter overboxes for the construction industry. Founded in 2008 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, the company has grown from 18 employees and a single production line to 117 staff across multiple sites, manufacturing high-performance access solutions used on projects worldwide. The Rapid Access group includes Exitile, Palco, and FlipFix, serving healthcare, commercial, education, residential, retail, hospitality, and transport sectors across the UK and beyond.
From 18 People and One Production Line
Rapid Access Ltd was founded on 1 August 2008 at Lauren House in Nuneaton by three local businessmen with a shared vision to transform the access panel industry. Starting with 18 employees and a single production line manufacturing bespoke access panels and riser doors, the company set out to deliver higher-quality products with faster lead times and better service than anything else on the market.
That ambition drove everything that followed. Innovation came early, with the RapidFit® riser door launching in 2013, a spring-loaded pin hinge system that reduced door installation time by up to 95% compared to traditional piano hinges. In 2015, the FlipFix® access panel followed, engineered to install without screws, glue, or timber bracing, delivering up to 80% labour savings on site.
As demand accelerated, so did investment. A dedicated warehouse opened in Atherstone in 2019 to support next-day delivery for the FlipFix® range. A second manufacturing facility followed in 2021 at Secton Court, designed for efficient, automated mass production of FlipFix panels. A third facility at Kelsey Close opened in 2022 to enhance punching capacity, supplying flat-form blanks to both Aston Road and Secton Court. And in 2025, a fourth manufacturing site opened at Centrovell Industrial Estate, purpose-built for mass-producing riser doors.
Alongside this physical growth, the company achieved ISO 9001 in 2020, ISO 14001 in March 2024, and ISO 45001 in December 2024, embedding quality, environmental responsibility, and workplace safety into every process.
By 2025, the team had grown to 117 employees, with over 700 million parts manufactured and more than 10,000 customers served. Rapid Access is firmly established as a leader in high-performance access solutions for the UK and global construction industry.
What Drives Us
Our Mission
To continually supply products to access the services of buildings. We pride ourselves on manufacturing the highest quality products in the shortest lead time within the industry. We want our clients to experience customer service that exceeds expectations.
Our Vision
To provide innovative access solutions for the global construction industry.
Our Journey
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1 August 2008
Founded
Rapid Access Ltd was incorporated at Lauren House, Aston Road, Nuneaton. Founded by three local businessmen united by a shared vision to transform the access panel industry.
18 employees -
13 March 2013
RapidFit® Launched
Introduced the RapidFit® riser door range with a spring-loaded pin hinge system. Installation time reduced by up to 95% compared to traditional piano hinges.
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5 January 2015
FlipFix® Launched
Manufacturing began on the FlipFix® range. Installs without screws, glue, or timber bracing, delivering up to 80% labour savings on site.
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27 June 2019
First Warehouse Opened
Opened an independent warehouse at Carlyon Road Industrial Estate, Atherstone, to support next-day delivery of the FlipFix® range.
51 employees -
22 September 2020
ISO 9001 Achieved
Achieved ISO 9001:2015, demonstrating commitment to quality management, continuous improvement, and reliable products.
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19 April 2021
Second Manufacturing Facility
Opened Secton Court at Attleborough Fields, Nuneaton. Purpose-built for efficient, automated mass production of the FlipFix range.
62 employees -
15 April 2022
Third Manufacturing Facility
Opened Kelsey Close to enhance punching capacity, supplying flat-form blanks to both Aston Road and Secton Court.
74 employees -
13 March 2024
ISO 14001 Achieved
Achieved ISO 14001:2015, reflecting the company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility across all operations.
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17 December 2024
ISO 45001 Achieved
Achieved ISO 45001:2018, the internationally recognised standard for occupational health and safety management systems.
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16 May 2025
Fourth Manufacturing Facility
Opened Centrovell Industrial Estate, purpose-built for mass-producing riser doors with a strong emphasis on efficiency and automation.
117 employees
Rapid Access at a Glance
Why Contractors, Architects, and Specifiers Choose Rapid Access
We're the Manufacturer
No middlemen, no reliance on third-party stock. We design and manufacture every product across our UK facilities, which means faster turnarounds, sharper pricing, and the flexibility to create bespoke solutions at speed.
Tested and Certified
Every product is independently tested for fire, acoustic, airtight, and smoke performance by UKAS-accredited laboratories including BRE and Warringtonfire. We invest in fire testing monthly. We do not make claims, we provide evidence. All documentation is ready for Building Control and project sign-off.
Bespoke in 4 Days
When standard doesn't fit, bespoke doesn't have to mean waiting. Custom sizes, non-standard specifications, and project-specific requirements are typically manufactured and dispatched within 4 working days.
3 to 5 Day Standard Lead Times
Standard products are dispatched in 3 to 5 working days. Our manufacturing capacity and stock holding means we respond to demand rather than hoping it's on the shelf.
Technical Support From the Source
Our technical team are product specialists, not call handlers. They understand wall build-ups, fire strategies, acoustic requirements, and Building Regulations because they work directly with the design and manufacturing teams who built the product.
Complete Documentation
Fire test certificates, acoustic test reports, datasheets, NBS specifications, BIM objects, CAD files, installation guidance, and quality checklists. Everything an architect, contractor, or Building Control officer needs, prepared by the manufacturer.
The Rapid Access Group
Exitile
Our broadest access panel range with established reach across UK merchants and distributors. Metal-faced, tile-faced, and plasterboard-faced panels for every application.
Palco
Specialist riser doors and access solutions for commercial, healthcare, and residential projects. Including our RapidFit® hinge system that replaced traditional piano hinge technology.
FlipFix
The fastest way to install an access panel. Launched in 2015, FlipFix's unique fitting device, mitreless frame, and flush lock system makes installation up to 5 times quicker than traditional panels, saving up to 80% on fitting costs. The innovative box packaging for stock sizes doubles as a pop-out template for cutting openings.
Constantly Developing, Never Standing Still
We invest in product development continuously. Our dedicated R&D team works on new products, improved manufacturing processes, and better installation methods, driven by real feedback from site teams, architects, and contractors.
The RapidFit® hinge system eliminated the need for bracing or supporting the structural opening. No extra screws or glue required. Installation time dropped by up to 95% compared to traditional piano hinges. The FlipFix® fitting device secures panels against plasterboard or drywall from 8mm to 32mm thickness, fitting flush for a clean finish. A project requiring 300 panels can save up to 40 hours of fitting time, reducing time on site by a full week.
Each new facility has been designed around the specific product it manufactures. Secton Court for FlipFix mass production, Kelsey Close for punching and blank preparation, and Centrovell for riser doors. Every expansion has been driven by demand and designed for efficiency and automation.
We also invest in fire testing monthly, building an expanding library of 33 test certificates that gives specifiers more options and more confidence.
Download Our Architects Brochure
Performance data, standard sizes, bespoke capabilities, and certification details. The complete reference for working with Rapid Access.
Ready to Work With the Manufacturer?
Whether you need a single panel or a full project schedule, our team of 117 is ready to help. Speak to us directly. No middlemen, no delays.