Spectris, the specialist technology-based instrumentation and electronic controls company, changed its name from Fairey Group in May 2001, marking the transformation of the business from UK aviation and engineering to a provider of innovative technology for the improvement of customers’ performance worldwide.
The company was founded by Sir Richard Fairey in 1915 as the Fairey Aviation Company Ltd. Initially recognised as a manufacturer of seaplanes, the company achieved renown during the 1930s and 1940s with its aircraft. Following the rationalisation of the aviation industry in the 1950s, the company diversified and established its non-aviation engineering capabilities in areas such as marine, energy and filtration.
During the 1980s, the focus was on high technology businesses such as electronics and systems engineering. 1987 saw a management buy-out from Pearson, and the company was listed on the Stock Exchange in 1988.
During the 1990s, the company concentrated on building its electronics sector, acquiring a number of companies and disposing of the electrical insulator and hydraulic actuator businesses. In 1997, the company acquired Burnfield, of which Malvern was the most significant company. Servomex plc was acquired in 1999. In July 2000, the acquisition of the four instrumentation and controls businesses of Spectris AG of Germany for £171m was the largest ever made by the company and marked an important strategic addition to the company’s instrumentation and controls business. The reshaping of the group was marked with the change in name to Spectris plc in May 2001.
In 2001, two of the filtration businesses were sold, with the remaining business, Fairey Industrial Ceramics, sold in March 2002. In September 2002, Spectris acquired the Philips Analytical business of Philips, which is now called PANalytical.
In 2011, Spectris acquired the Omega Engineering business.
