Spectris
Encyclopedia
Spectris plc is a leading supplier of precision instrumentation
and controls. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange
and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index
.
in 1915, as the Fairey Aviation Company with the objective of manufacturing seaplane
s. In 1980 the business was acquired by Pearson
from which it was the subject of a management buy-out in 1987. It was first listed on the London Stock Exchange
in 1988. In the 1990s the Company focused on electronics
selling its electrical insulator and hydraulic actuator
businesses.
In 1997 it acquired Burnfield, a measuring instruments manufacturer, and in 1999 it bought Servomex, an industrial instruments manufacturer. In 2000 it bought four instrumentation
businesses from Spectris A.G. of Germany
and then in 2001 changed its name to Spectris plc. In 2002 it bought the Philips Analytical
business.
Instrumentation
Instrumentation is defined as the art and science of measurement and control of process variables within a production, or manufacturing area....
and controls. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index
FTSE 250 Index
The FTSE 250 Index is a capitalisation-weighted index consisting of the 101st to the 350th largest companies on the London Stock Exchange. Promotions to and demotions from the index take place quarterly in March, June, September and December...
.
History
The Company was founded by Richard FaireyCharles Richard Fairey
Sir Charles Richard Fairey MBE, FRAeS was a British aircraft manufacturer.-Early life:Charles Fairey was born was born on 5 May 1887 in Hendon, Middlesex and educated at the Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood and later as an apprentice at the Finsbury Technical College where he studied City &...
in 1915, as the Fairey Aviation Company with the objective of manufacturing seaplane
Seaplane
A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
s. In 1980 the business was acquired by Pearson
Pearson PLC
Pearson plc is a global media and education company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is both the largest education company and the largest book publisher in the world, with consumer imprints including Penguin, Dorling Kindersley and Ladybird...
from which it was the subject of a management buy-out in 1987. It was first listed on the London Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
The London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
in 1988. In the 1990s the Company focused on electronics
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
selling its electrical insulator and hydraulic actuator
Actuator
An actuator is a type of motor for moving or controlling a mechanism or system. It is operated by a source of energy, usually in the form of an electric current, hydraulic fluid pressure or pneumatic pressure, and converts that energy into some kind of motion. An actuator is the mechanism by which...
businesses.
In 1997 it acquired Burnfield, a measuring instruments manufacturer, and in 1999 it bought Servomex, an industrial instruments manufacturer. In 2000 it bought four instrumentation
Instrumentation
Instrumentation is defined as the art and science of measurement and control of process variables within a production, or manufacturing area....
businesses from Spectris A.G. of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and then in 2001 changed its name to Spectris plc. In 2002 it bought the Philips Analytical
PANalytical
PANalytical is an international scientific instrumentation supplier which develops and manufactures X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence equipment for use in research and industry. PANalytical was formerly Philips Analytical, a division of Philips, prior to its sale in 2002...
business.
Operations
The Company is organised as follows:- Materials Analysis - Malvern Instruments, Particle Measuring Systems, PANalytical
- Test & Measurement - Brüel & KjærBrüel & KjærBrüel & Kjær is a subsidiary of UK-based Spectris plc. Brüel & Kjær is a manufacturer and supplier of sound and vibration measurement apparatus. The company headquarters is based in Nærum, Denmark...
Sound & Vibration, HBM - In-line instrumentation - Beta LaserMike, Brüel & Kjær Vibro, BTG, Fusion UV Systems, NDC Infrared Engineering, Servomex
- Industrial Controls - Microscan Systems, Inc., Red Lion Controls