Queue Technology That Transforms Flow and Experience

Tensator® designs and delivers intelligent queue technology that improves efficiency, increases throughput, and enhances the customer experience. Our approach combines physical infrastructure with digital capability, enabling organisations to manage queue flow more effectively through practical, scalable solutions. Every system is designed to optimise movement while supporting operational performance and customer satisfaction.

Tensator’s story begins in 1881 with the Lawrence® brand in the USA — an origin rooted in the craft of rope-and-post queueing that helped shape modern public guidance. Lawrence pioneered post and rope crowd control, establishing structured queue management long before modern technology existed. These proven solutions remain widely used today and continue to play a vital role in guiding people safely and efficiently through public spaces worldwide.

Pioneering Modern Queue Technology

A defining milestone in modern queue technology came in the 1970s in the UK, when Tensator invented the Tensabarrier®, the world’s first retractable belt queue system. This

innovation demonstrated how emerging tech could enhance flexibility, improve throughput, and complement established rope-based systems rather than replace them. Tensabarrier remains one of the world’s best-selling queue solutions and is now deployed globally across airports, retail, leisure, healthcare and financial services.

Heritage meets innovation: no other provider combines such a long history of queue solutions with the depth of technology capability and global deployment that Tensator delivers today.

Comprehensive Queue Technology, Integrated Queue Solutions

Tensator delivers a uniquely broad portfolio of queue solutions, supported by intelligent technology and practical tech, designed to work independently or together as a connected system — optimising flow, improving throughput and elevating customer experience.

Foundational Queue Solutions

Tensabarrier® — the original retractable belt queue system
Invented by Tensator in the 1970s in the UK, Tensabarrier set a defining benchmark for flexible, efficient queue management and remains one of the world’s most widely deployed solutions.
Rope & Post (Lawrence®) — timeless structure with enduring relevance
Dating back to 1881, Lawrence rope-and-post solutions continue to provide premium guidance and controlled movement, forming the foundation of effective queue design worldwide.

Branded and Intelligent Webbing

Digital dye printed webbing — transform the queue into a communication channel
High-resolution imagery embedded directly into the webbing using advanced technology, delivering durable branding, messaging and wayfinding throughout the queue.
QR codes on webbing and top cap labels — link physical queues to digital journeys
Simple, contactless solutions that enable self-service, real-time information and interactive experiences directly from the queue.

Safety-First Queue Solutions

Blast-safe panels and barriers — protection without disrupting flow
High-specification solutions engineered for airport and high-risk environments, integrating seamlessly with passenger queue systems.
In-Queue Merchandising (IQM®) — monetise dwell time without friction
Purpose-designed solutions that generate incremental revenue while maintaining smooth, safe and efficient queue movement.

Smart Electronic Queue Solutions

Electronic Call Forward (ECF) — automate flow and improve fairness
Intelligent tech that manages customer progression dynamically, reducing congestion and improving throughput across complex queue environments.
InQ-TV® — inform, engage and convert while customers wait
Digital signage technology that delivers real-time updates, brand content and guidance, turning waiting time into an active, informed experience.
Virtual Assistant — consistent guidance at scale
A holographic, life-sized digital assistant using advanced technology to deliver information, reassurance and messaging within high-traffic queue areas.

Contactless and Embedded Technologies

Embedded NFC top caps — instant interaction at point of waiting
Touch-enabled tech that connects customers to wayfinding, promotions and digital services directly from the queue.
Biometric people counting — real-time insight into movement and demand
Advanced technology providing accurate footfall data to support capacity planning, safety compliance and operational optimisation.
Facial recognition — secure, identity-aware queue management
Intelligent solutions supporting access control, prioritisation and controlled routing in sensitive or high-security queue environments.
ShortcutQ® Motorised Gate — reconfigure queues remotely and instantly
Controlled-access technology allowing operators to adjust queue layouts, access rules and capacity in real time without intervention.

The Outcomes You Can Expect

Tensator’s queue solutions, supported by intelligent technology, deliver measurable operational benefits:

Higher throughput through better-structured flow
Reduced perceived waiting times through engaging digital content
Safer environments using engineered barriers and controlled access
Stronger brand experiences throughout the queue
Better decisions driven by data-led insight and tech

Unmatched Global Expertise in Queue Solutions

Having delivered queue solutions for longer than any other provider and having pioneered modern queue technology, Tensator offers unmatched global expertise. By partnering with best-in-class specialists, we bring together proven solutions and evolving tech to set the standard for effective queue management worldwide.

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