Measurex
Encyclopedia
Measurex was an American company based in Cupertino, California
. Measurex was one of the first companies developing computer control systems for industry, primarily the paper-making industry. The development of the control systems included the development of control software, and development of scanning sensors to measure different properties of paper. The company was acquired by Honeywell
in March 1997, at a price tag of almost $600 million. At the acquisition, Measurex had 2,250 employees in 30 countries and a revenue of $254 million.
, but later moved to Cupertino to an old cannery property. The user of mini-computers was a part of the business plan, and Measurex initially used the Hewlett Packard 2116B
mini-computer in the MX1000 and MX2000 systems. Later on, with the MX2001 systems, Measurex used the 21MX
mini-computer.
Starting with the MX2002 systems, Measurex started to use the DEC
LSI 11. Intel based system was introduced with the MX2002 Vision systems (using Intel 8086
), but still with the LSI 11 as a Scanner Support Processor (SSP). The reason for keeping the older LSI 11 in the architecture, was the computer's ability of near real-time processing of gauge data and also the LSI 11's support for hardware interrupts.
Customers of Measurex systems reported that the dedication and expertise of the service organization that was a considerable factor in creating the customer confidence that resulted in sales growth, especially the repeat sales that fueled the remarkable growth during the 25 years leading up to the acquisition by Honeywell. As founder Dave Bossen often told service personnel: "Our results are far greater with a superior field service organization working with average systems, compared to manufacturing superior systems, but installed and maintained by an average field service organization". Of course, he was also quite emphatic about having manufacturing produce superior systems as well, resulting in their standing as a lead supplier of quality and control systems for the paper industry.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Measurex was one of the first companies developing computer control systems for industry, primarily the paper-making industry. The development of the control systems included the development of control software, and development of scanning sensors to measure different properties of paper. The company was acquired by Honeywell
Honeywell
Honeywell International, Inc. is a major conglomerate company that produces a variety of consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems for a wide variety of customers, from private consumers to major corporations and governments....
in March 1997, at a price tag of almost $600 million. At the acquisition, Measurex had 2,250 employees in 30 countries and a revenue of $254 million.
Early years
Measurex was founded in 1969 by Dave Bossen, a former sales manager at Industrial Nucleonics. It was first a garage setup based on paper industry experiences (circa 1966) at 330 Matthew Street in Santa ClaraSanta Clara, California
Santa Clara , founded in 1777 and incorporated in 1852, is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city is the site of the eighth of 21 California missions, Mission Santa Clara de Asís, and was named after the mission. The Mission and Mission Gardens are located on the...
, but later moved to Cupertino to an old cannery property. The user of mini-computers was a part of the business plan, and Measurex initially used the Hewlett Packard 2116B
HP 2100
The HP 2100 was a series of minicomputers produced by Hewlett-Packard from the mid-1960s to early 1990s. The 2100 was also a specific model in this series. The series was renamed HP 1000 by the 1970s and sold as real-time computers, complementing the more complex IT-oriented HP 3000, and would be...
mini-computer in the MX1000 and MX2000 systems. Later on, with the MX2001 systems, Measurex used the 21MX
HP 2100
The HP 2100 was a series of minicomputers produced by Hewlett-Packard from the mid-1960s to early 1990s. The 2100 was also a specific model in this series. The series was renamed HP 1000 by the 1970s and sold as real-time computers, complementing the more complex IT-oriented HP 3000, and would be...
mini-computer.
Starting with the MX2002 systems, Measurex started to use the DEC
Digital Equipment Corporation
Digital Equipment Corporation was a major American company in the computer industry and a leading vendor of computer systems, software and peripherals from the 1960s to the 1990s...
LSI 11. Intel based system was introduced with the MX2002 Vision systems (using Intel 8086
Intel 8086
The 8086 is a 16-bit microprocessor chip designed by Intel between early 1976 and mid-1978, when it was released. The 8086 gave rise to the x86 architecture of Intel's future processors...
), but still with the LSI 11 as a Scanner Support Processor (SSP). The reason for keeping the older LSI 11 in the architecture, was the computer's ability of near real-time processing of gauge data and also the LSI 11's support for hardware interrupts.
Acquisition of Devron
Measurex acquired the North Vancouver firm Devron-Hercules Inc. in 1991. Devron was a company specializing in solutions for Cross Directional optimization of the paper sheet in paper machines.Acquisition of Roibox
In April 1993, Measurex acquired the Finnish company Roibox Oy, for approximately $1.7 million.Honeywell-Measurex
Honeywell kept the name Measurex for a number of years after the acquisition, giving the subsidiary the name Honeywell-Measurex.Development of Sensors
Early sensors were almost exclusively based on continuous process pulp and paper making, beginning with basis weight, moisture, caliper and whiteness. Later sensors were developed for new industries, including tire calendaring, cigarette fill, aluminum rolling mill gage thickness and others. Some of the early sensors were based on emissions from radioactive source materials it would probably be difficult - or impossible - for a similar firm to use today in the same way.Service
Measurex had a service business that was 40% of the annual revenue. Most of the mills at the time could not support computer control system, and at the same time get an up-time of 99% or better. Measurex provided dedicated, on-site service for this, since it was a very expensive investment for a mill to train a technician.Customers of Measurex systems reported that the dedication and expertise of the service organization that was a considerable factor in creating the customer confidence that resulted in sales growth, especially the repeat sales that fueled the remarkable growth during the 25 years leading up to the acquisition by Honeywell. As founder Dave Bossen often told service personnel: "Our results are far greater with a superior field service organization working with average systems, compared to manufacturing superior systems, but installed and maintained by an average field service organization". Of course, he was also quite emphatic about having manufacturing produce superior systems as well, resulting in their standing as a lead supplier of quality and control systems for the paper industry.