Smiths Group history

Founder Sheldon Smith (1853)

In 1875, Samuel Smith died at the age of 49; during his time in control of the firm, it had experienced a rapid rate of growth.

Mortimer Smith in the office (1883)

During 1904, retailing and wholesaling of Smiths-branded motor accessories was launched; Nicole Nielsen produced Smiths' initial speedometer, the Perfect Speed Indicator; the first of which was delivered to Edward VII, the reigning British monarch, for the Royal Mercedes.

During 1907, in order to satisfy the high demands for its products, Nicole Nielsen had to open a new factory in Watford.

On 21 July 1914, Smiths Group was floated on the London Stock Exchange; the organisation has been present on the exchange for over one hundred years.

By 1915, new contracts issued by the British War Office for aeroplane accessories, lighting sets, and munitions required the speedy erection of a new freehold factory.

During 1919, the distribution rights for the KLG Sparking Plug were purchased from Kenelm Lee Guinness.

In 1921, the firm's Great Portland Street activities were moved to Cricklewood following the purchase of the former Metallurgique works alongside their Cricklewood Works.

In 1937, a separate aircraft and marine department was created in the parent company and named Smiths Aircraft Instruments.

In 1946, Smiths and the Ingersoll Watch Company founded the Anglo-Celtic Watch Co.

In 1960, the company formed a new Industrial division, the principal focus of which was the development and production of industrial instrumentation.

As a measure to reflect its increasing diversification and international operations, the name Smiths Industries Ltd was adopted for the company in 1967.

During 1983, Smiths Industries decided to cease its involvement as a direct supplier of Europe's automotive industry, selling on its automotive instrument division; the division was initially acquired by Lucas and subsequently by the factory employees themselves.

In 1984, Smiths Industries was reorganised into three principal operating divisions: Industrial, Medical Systems, and Aerospace and Defence.

In July 2002, Smiths Group established a fourth division, Smiths Detection, which specialised in producing sensors and other equipment for the detection of weapons, explosives, contraband, and various hazardous substances.

In October 2004, Smiths Aerospace purchased Integrated Aerospace, an American equipment supplier.

In early 2007, GE Aviation, a division of American conglomerate General Electric, announced that it was acquiring Smiths Aerospace for US$4.8 billion.

In September 2011, Smiths Group acquired the American-based power technology enterprise, Power Holdings Inc., for £145 million.

On 21 April 2016, it was announced that Smiths Group was in the process of acquiring Morpho Detection LLC, a US-based subsidiary of Safran; it was integrated into the Smiths Detection division.