| Smiths Group plc | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Type | Public (LSE: SMIN) |
| Founded | 1851 |
| Headquarters | London, England, UK |
| Industry | Engineering |
| Products | Detection Medical Aerospace Speciality engineering |
| Revenue |  £3,523 million (2006) |
| Operating income | £161 million (2006) |
| Net income | £24 million (2006) |
| Employees | 31,700 (2006) |
| Slogan | Bringing technology to life |
| Website | www.smiths-group.com |
Smiths Group is a British engineering company involved in wide-ranging speciality engineering activities. The then-Smiths Industries almost doubled in size in 2000 with the merger with TI Group plc.
Contents |
History
The company that became Smiths started as a London clock and watch business in the mid 19th century. A family business, it was founded by Samuel Smith in 1851. At the start of the 20th century and the age of the automobile they produced the first British odometer ("mileometer") and speedometer. In the 1930s Smiths agreed a trading deal with Lucas whereby the two would not compete in certain areas and Lucas took on part of Smiths non-instrumentation assets. Smiths became the dominant supplier of instruments to British motorcar and motorcycle firms. From 1915 Smiths had a factory at Cricklewood, north London and later moved their HQ there. Cricklewood remained the company's most important manufacturing site into the 1970s, employing 8,000. Separate Smiths Aviation and Smiths Marine divisions were setup in 1958. In 1960, an Industrial division was formed whose main operations were industrial instrumentation. With increasing diversification and international operations the Smiths Industries Ltd. was adopted in 1965 to reflect wider operations. Clocks, watches, and automotive instruments eventually ceased to be significant markets for Smiths, and by the 1980s, the automotive instrument division had been sold; first to VDO, and eventually to the factory employees. The new company, Caerbont Automotive Instruments, continues to produce classic Smiths-branded instruments with the blessing of Smiths Group plc. In 1983 the original equipment and service part of the car instrument side was sold to Lucas in Birmingham and a small number of employees transferred to the midlands. On September 18, 2000 Smiths announced its intention to merge with TI Group. TI had major interests in aerospace, industrial seals and automotive parts. [1] The merger was completed on December 4, 2000. The company's name was changed to Smiths Group plc. on November 30, 2000. It was announced on January 15, 2007 that General Electric is planning to acquire Smith's aerospace subsidiary for US$4.8 billion.[2] Smiths Aerospace, which is an important supplier, will become an operating subsidiary of GE-Aviation.[2]
Trivia
- Smiths were a major supplier of aircraft autopilots from the 50s through to the 70s. They pioneered the first "CAT III" autoland systems that were certified for operation in blind conditions.
Organization
Detection
Smiths Detection is a leading company in the fast growing sector of detection systems. Products of the company include:
- Trace detectors - For the detection of chemical and biological agents, chemicals or explosives.
- X-Ray security systems
- Biometrics - Authentication, i.e. establishing the identity of an individual by measurement of physiological or behavioral features
- Metal detectors
- Product inspection systems - Systems for quality control of products (e.g. food).
Medical
- Airway management
- Needle protection
- Ambulatory infusion
- Medication delivery
- Patient monitoring
- Temperature Management
The research and development of medical airways division is the primary route of the company's future strategic development plan.
Speciality Engineering
- Flexible Technologies
- Interconnect
- Times Microwave Systems - LMR low-loss communications coaxial cable
- John CraneJohn Crane is the worlds leading manufacturer of rotating mechanical seals.
- Kelvin Hughes Limited (Marine Systems)
- Tubular Systems
- Titeflex - flexible fluid hoses Titeflex
- Lewis and Saunders - tubular assemblies
- Gastite - fuel piping products.
References
- ^ "Engineering rivals to merge", BBC News, 2000-09-18. Retrieved on 2006-09-25.
- ^ a b "Smiths Agrees to Aerospace Sale." Singer, J. The Wall Street Journal. January 15, 2007.
