e2v

e2v is a leading global provider of technology solutions for high performance systems; delivering solutions, sub-systems and components to advanced systems companies, for specialist applications within medical & science, aerospace & defence and commercial & industrial markets. The company was previously known as EEV or the English Electric Valve Company, and for a short time Marconi Applied technologies.

Contents

Company Profile

The company began in the early 1940s as a part of the Marconi group, manufacturing magnetrons for defence radar systems. The company was first registered as a separate company in Chelmsford, Essex in 1947 under Serge Aisenstein.[1] Its initial name was the Phoenix Dynamo Co Ltd, though it immediately changed its name to English Electric Valve Company Ltd.

The company quickly became global leaders in vacuum tube technology (electron devices), leading on to imaging and sensing technologies. Specific areas that were developed but either sold or closed as technologies developed include solar cells, sign boards, vacuum capacitors and LED displays. More recently e2v has added semiconductor products and solutions to its portfolio.

Keith Attwood, e2v's CEO joined in 1999. The company was renamed to e2v technologies in 2002 as part of a management buy out supported by 3i following the collapse of the Marconi group. Following further growth under 3i, in 2004 the company floated on the London Stock Exchange.

The company has received 13 Queen's Awards for Technology in its history, most recently in 2006 for low light imaging devices and in 2004 for thyratrons for cancer radiotherapy treatment. Hugh Menown, responsible for developing double-cathode and hollow anode thyratrons, was awarded the MBE in 1982.

Following the stock market flotation e2v made a series of company acquisitions:

In 2005, e2v purchased Gresham Scientific Instruments (now renamed e2v scientific instruments), the Grenoble, France facility from the Atmel Corporation in 2006 (now renamed e2v semiconductors) and MiCs Microchemical systems based in Corcelles Switzerland (now renamed e2v Microsystems) and in October 2008 e2v acquired QP semiconductor, a leading US-based designer and supplier of specialty semiconductor components used in military and aerospace applications, establishing e2v’s first US manufacturing base, which has recently become a part of e2v aerospace and defense inc.

In 2009 e2v’s CCD Imaging Sensors enabled NASA’s Hubble Telescope to explore our universe with greater capability than ever before as part of an upgrade project. In 2010, The Company announced the establishment of the e2v microwave engineering centre in Lincoln, UK as part of a restructuring that saw the move of operational capabilities to the Chelmsford facility.

e2v’s annual sales are approximately £200 million and they are listed on the London Stock Exchange[2] and the FTSE[2] 4Good Index. The company employs approximately 1500 people, of whom a third are engineers and scientists. e2v has sales in over 50 countries and operates in 13 Global locations, including 6 production facilities; 3 in England, 1 in the US, 1 in France and 1 in Switzerland. e2v is globally recognised for more than 60 years of commitment and technological breakthroughs in the provision of high reliability solutions, sub-systems and components to the most demanding of professional markets.

e2v continues to be involved in many high-profile programmes,[3] including;

Global Operations

With its HQ in Chelmsford, Essex, England, e2v has three UK based design, development and manufacturing facilities (Chelmsford, Lincoln and High Wycombe), one in Grenoble, France, one in Corcelles, Switzerland and one in Santa Clara, US. Over 30% of the staff are engineers or scientists. e2v also has sales, service and technical support offices in the UK, North America, Germany, France, and Hong Kong, as well as a global network of distributors and resellers:

Santa Clara US

Lincoln UK

Chelmsford UK

(HQ for e2v)

High Wycombe UK

Gröbenzell Germany

New York US

Paris France

Grenoble France

Corcelles Switzerland

Beijing China

Hong Kong

Taipei Taiwan

Tokyo Japan

Products and Services

RF power solutions for

High performance imaging solutions for programmes requiring CCD & CMOS sensors and cameras for

Hi-rel semiconductor solutions for aerospace & defence and hi-rel industrial programmes requiring

A range of instrumentation solutions for applications including

Quality

e2v’s operational centres are certified to:

Timeline

- Launch of Pellistors, First Gas Sensing products for Environmental Safety
- EEV and MOV combined when GEC acquired English Electric, birth of the Image Intensifier Group
- First Queen’s award received for Technological Achievement – Image Isocon (Early low light level TV camera tube)
- First CCD (Imaging Source) is developed by GEC Hirst Research
- EEV Solar panels launched into space on the STRV 1b mission which tested various spacecraft systems and technologies in harsh radiation environments
- First EEV IOT powered TV transmitters go on air in the US
- Company first certified to ISO 9001:1987
- EEV becomes one of the first companies in the UK to gain ISO14001:1996 certification
- EEV changes its name to Marconi Applied Technologies as part of the rebranding of GEC to Marconi
- e2v acquires automotive security business from Dynex Semiconductors Ltd
- Two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in International Trade for Dental x-ray Sensor and Linac Magnetron
- e2v wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its Fast Tune Magnetron
- Introduction of generation 4 Marine Radar Magnetrons
- e2v initiates presence in China working with the China British Business Council
- e2v strengthens its links with academia by opening the e2v centre for electronic imaging at Brunel university
- e2v semiconductor SAS a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of specialised electronic components and sub-systems in Grenoble, France acquired from Atmel Corporation
- New Asia Pacific sales and support office in Hong Kong
- establishes e2v aerospace and defense inc. to address the US aerospace and defence markets

Major Customers and Partners

References

  1. ^ Fire Direct company profile, accessed 19 October 2010
  2. ^ a b c http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-markets/stocks/summary/company-summary.html, accessed 20 october 2010
  3. ^ a b http://www.e2v.com/about-us/, accessed 19 october 2010

External links