| Type | Public limited company |
|---|---|
| Traded as | LSE: SMIN |
| Industry | Engineering |
| Founded | 1851 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Key people | Donald Brydon (Chairman) Philip Bowman (CEO) |
| Products | Detection Sensors Mechanical Seals (Wet Seals & Dry Gas Seals), Systems & Couplings Bearings Filtration Medical Devices Communications Components & Connectors Heating & Ducting Technology |
| Revenue | £2.77 billion (2010)[1] |
| Operating income | £492 million (2010)[1] |
| Net income | £294 million (2010)[1] |
| Employees | 23,550 (2010)[2] |
| Website | http://smiths-group.com |
Smiths Group plc (LSE: SMIN) is a global engineering company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It has operations in over 50 countries and employs around 23,550 staff.
Smiths Group has five divisions. Smiths Detection is the world's largest manufacturer of sensors for the detection of explosives, weapons, chemical agents, biohazards, narcotics and contraband.[3][4] John Crane is a major manufacturer of seals and associated products for the process industries.[4] Smiths Medical is a major supplier of medical devices and equipment.[4] Smiths Interconnect is a major manufacturer of electronic and radio frequency products.[4] Flex-Tek is a major supplier of components to heat and move fluids and gases.[4]
Smiths Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
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The company was founded by Samuel Smith in London in 1851 as a clock and watch business.[5] At the start of the 20th century, the age of the early automobiles, the company produced the first British odometer ("mileometer") and speedometer.[5] 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.[6]
In 1946, Smiths and the Ingersoll Watch Company founded the Anglo-Celtic Watch Co. Ltd., which produced watches in Wales. This became one of the largest producers of watches in Europe before closing in 1980.[7]
Separate Smiths Aviation and Smiths Marine divisions were set up in 1958.[5] In 1960, an Industrial division was formed whose main operations were industrial instrumentation.[5] 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,[5] and by the 1980s, the automotive instrument division had been sold,[5] 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.[8]
On 4 December 2000, Smiths completed a merger with TI Group. TI had major interests in aerospace, industrial seals and automotive parts.[9] However Smiths divested TI Automotive shortly after the merger.[10] The company's name was changed to Smiths Group plc on 30 November 2000.[11]
In 2007 GE Aviation, a division of General Electric, acquired Smith's aerospace subsidiary for US$4.8 billion.[12]
Following a company-wide restructuring programme in mid 2008, the Company is organised into five separate divisions, namely:
Smiths Detection is a world leading designer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify explosives, weapons, chemical agents, biohazards, nuclear & radioactive material, narcotics and contraband. These products are widely used in airports, cargo screening at ports and borders, in government buildings and other critical infrastructure, as well as by the military and emergency responder services. They use a wide range of technologies including x-ray, trace detection, millimetre-wave, infra-red, biological detection and diagnostics.
Smiths Medical is a leading supplier of specialist medical devices and equipment for global markets. The devices include drug delivery systems that help treat cancer patients and provide pain relief. Vital care products reduce hospital-acquired infections, manage patients’ airways before, during, and after surgery, maintain body temperature and assist reproduction through IVF therapy. The safety products keep health workers safe by helping prevent needlestick injuries and reducing cross-infections
John Crane is a world-leading provider of products and services for the major process industries, including the oil and gas, power generation, chemical, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, and mining sectors. John Crane’s products include wet seals, gas seals couplings, seal support systems, specialist filtration systems, hydrodynamic bearings and equipment for upstream applications. Around one third of John Crane sales derive from the design and supply of these products, while the remaining two-thirds stem from the aftermarket servicing of this equipment. John Crane has made a number of acquisitions of competitors and other industry related companies, namely Flexibox[13], Indufil Bv[14], Sealol[13] Safematic[13], Orion Corporation[15] and Sartorius Bearing Technology[16]
Smiths Interconnect is a recognised leader in technically differentiated electronic components and sub systems providing signal, power and microwave solutions. Designing and manufacturing products that connect, protect and control critical systems for the global wireless telecommunications, aerospace, defence, space, medical, rail, test and industrial markets.
Flex-Tek is a global provider of engineered components, heating and moving fluids and gases for the aerospace, medical, industrial, construction and domestic appliance markets. Flexible hosing and rigid tubing products provide fluid management for fuel and hydraulic applications on commercial and military aircraft, deliver fuel gas and conditioned air in residential and commercial buildings, and provide respiratory care for medical applications. The heating elements improve the performance of domestic appliances such as tumble dryers and HVAC equipment and other applications such as medical diagnostic equipment.