Smiths Group plc | |
---|---|
Type | Public (LSE: SMIN) |
Industry | Engineering |
Founded | 1851 |
Headquarters | London, England, UK |
Key people | Donald Brydon (Chairman) Philip Bowman (CEO) |
Products | Detection Medical Aerospace Speciality engineering |
Revenue | £2,664.6 million (2009)[1] |
Operating income | £428.5 million (2009)[1] |
Net income | £270.0 million (2009)[1] |
Employees | 22,000 (2010)[2] |
Website | www.smiths-group.com |
Smiths Group (LSE: SMIN) is a leading British engineering company involved in wide-ranging speciality engineering activities. It is based in London. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Contents |
History
The company was founded by Samuel Smith in London in 1851 as a clock and watch business.[3] At the start of the 20th century, the age of the early automobiles, the Company produced the first British odometer ("mileometer") and speedometer.[3] 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 Headquarters there.[4]
Separate Smiths Aviation and Smiths Marine divisions were setup in 1958.[3] In 1960, an Industrial division was formed whose main operations were industrial instrumentation.[3] With increasing diversification and international operations the name Smiths Industries Ltd. was adopted in 1965. Clocks, watches, and automotive instruments eventually ceased to be significant markets for Smiths,[3] and by the 1980s, the automotive instrument division had been sold,[3] first to Lucas, 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.[5]
On 4 December 2000 Smiths completed a merger with TI Group. TI had major interests in aerospace, industrial seals and automotive parts. [6] The company's name was changed to Smiths Group plc on 30 November 2000.[7]
In 2007 GE-Aviation, part of General Electric, acquired Smith's aerospace subsidiary for US$4.8 billion.[8]
Operations
The Company is organised into the following businesses:
Detection
Smiths Detection is a leading company in the fast growing sector of detection systems. Products of the company include:
- Trace detectors (aka Puffer Machines) - 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).
- Chemical detectors/identifiers
- Radiological detectors/identifiers
- Millimeter wave scanners
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
- Smiths Interconnect Microwave Components - RF Components and Cable Assemblies
- John Crane - mechanical seals
- Tubular Systems
- Titeflex - flexible fluid hoses
- Lewis and Saunders - tubular assemblies
- Gastite - fuel piping products
References
- ^ a b c Annual Report 2009
- ^ Smiths Group: About Smith Group
- ^ a b c d e f Smiths History
- ^ Graces Guide
- ^ Caerbont Automotive Instruments
- ^ "Engineering rivals to merge". BBC News. 2000-09-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/930419.stm. Retrieved 2006-09-25.
- ^ Proposed Merger of Smiths Industries plc: "Smiths Industries" and "TI Group" Business Wire, 17 November 2000
- ^ "Smiths Agrees to Aerospace Sale." Singer, J. The Wall Street Journal. January 15, 2007.