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Divisional History |
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The Formation of Smiths Interconnect |
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The Path To Expansion |
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Evolution |
Smiths Interconnect has grown via a combination of organic growth and acquisitions to provide an extensive range of electronic application specific components and sub-systems.
These components, for the connection and protection of many vital electronic and electrical systems, are used in a wide spectrum of global markets including defense, aerospace, telecommunications, industrial, transportation and medical.
Smiths Interconnect is a division of Smiths Group Plc (Smiths), a UK based FTSE 100 company, (formerly known as Smiths Industries). Smiths has its roots in a London clock and watch making business, founded by Samuel Smith in 1851, which subsequently developed and expanded into various technologies and evolved into an international company. (For further information on Smiths Group Plc see [link to plc website])
In 1961 Smiths created a new company, Hypertac Ltd, to design and manufacture specialized electronic connectors. The connector business was then expanded in 1995 with the purchase of four privately owned companies operating as a co-ordinated business making the Hyperboloid contact. These companies are now known as Hypertronics (USA), Hypertac SA (France), Hypertac GmbH (Germany), Hypertac SpA (Italy) and Hypertac Ltd (UK) which together represent Hypertac.
In 1989, Smiths announced the acquisition of Times Microwave Systems (TMS) in order to emphasize the advanced technology activities covering the physical interconnection of electronic and electrical systems.
TMS manufactures low-loss coaxial cable and cable systems. During the mid 1990’s the electrical components businesses of Smiths were collected together and the Interconnect division was formed.
In 1997, to complement and expand TMS’s coaxial cable offering, the division acquired PolyPhaser, a manufacturer of lightning protection devices. The protection and suppression device offering widened with the purchase of Transtector Systems in 1998. The addition of Transtector into the division also brought RO Associates, an education and consultancy business.
Interconnect’s connector business was further advanced in 1999 with the purchase of Sabritec, a manufacturer of high quality filter connectors. Sabritec’s component portfolio strengthened Interconnect’s capability to supply high performance connectors to the aerospace and defense business. In 2000, the division further added to its transient and surge suppression device capabilities with the acquisition of LEA International. The RF and Microwave activity was also extended in 2000 with the purchase of EMC Technology and RF Florida Labs, manufacturers of attenuators, couplers, delay lines, resistors and terminations, as well as Radio Waves, a manufacturer of microwave and broadband wireless antennas.
In the following year, Smiths Interconnect announced the acquisition of Summitek Instruments, which provides specialist measurement solutions to address key issues in spectrum management.
During the wireless market down turn, Smiths Interconnect focused on consolidating the division and expanding into new overseas markets. This led to the development of a manufacturing facility and sales office in Shanghai, China in 2002.
In 2004 Smiths Interconnect returned to the acquisition trail with the addition of Trak Microwave, an RF and Microwave multifunction assembly manufacturer, and Tecom Industries, a provider of custom antennas and antenna systems for the defence, commercial wireless and satellite communications markets.
In 2005 Millitech and Farran Technology were acquired adding to the already expanding range of millimeter wave, microwave components and subsystems technologies.
Smiths Interconnect continued the growth of its microwave technologies in 2006 with the addition of Lorch Microwave, a supplier of filter based microwave components and sub-systems to the defense and communications industry.
Smiths Interconnect divisional structure is now organized under four main Technology Groups: Connectors, Microwave Sub-Systems, Microwave Components and Protection.
In summary, Smiths Interconnect is a fast expanding and dynamic division that is continuously searching for suitable businesses and/or technologies to enhance its long term strategy of providing application specific components and sub-systems
