MGGT AOG MENU HOME/ABOUT US/OUR HERITAGE/COMPANY HISTORY Company History From the first altimeter to next-generation turbofan architecture for the aircraft of tomorrow, Meggitt and all the companies in our DNA have been solving some of the world’s toughest engineering problems for more than 160 years. Our roots go back to 1850 and a company called Negretti & Zambra who invented the world’s first altimeter for the mammoth hot air balloon. Since then we have been pioneering solutions for aviation and industrial applications and are the technology leader across our wide range of products and services. Discover some of our industry firsts in our Technology heritage page. Here, you can read about the corporate history of Meggitt since it was founded in 1947. 1940s 1947: Willson Lathes was founded as a machine tool business based in Halifax, UK and became a quoted public company. 1960s 1964: Willson Lathes acquired Meggitt Engineering Ltd, a general light engineering company based in Bournemouth, UK. The name was changed to Meggitt Holdings. 1980s 1984: Management buy-in to build a geographically diverse, international engineering company serving speciality sectors in aerospace, controls, electronics and energy. 1986: Acquired Bestobell, another large engineering business. Bestobell had around 3,000 components onboard Concorde 1990s 1992: Acquired Endevco®, specialists in sensors for test and measurement applications. 1995: Reorganised to focus on core business of aerospace, defence systems and electronics. 1998: Acquired Vibro-Meter®, significantly increasing its core capability in engine condition monitoring and diagnostics. 1999: Acquired California-based Whittaker Corporation, increasing its presence in the aftermarket business (repair and overhaul of aircraft components). Vibro-Meter® sensors for monitoring gas turbine engines 2000s 2002: Acquired Lodge, specialists in speed and temperature sensors for aero engines (formerly known as KLG then Smiths Aerospace). 2003: Acquired Western Design, a designer and manufacturer of automated ammunition-handling equipment and environmental control systems. 2003: Acquired Caswell International, an innovator in ground-based live fire training equipment systems. 2004: Acquired the design and manufacturing division of the Dunlop Standard Aerospace Group including Dunlop Aerospace Braking Systems; Dunlop Ice Protection & Composites, Dunlop Precision Rubber; Dunlop Equipment, Serck Aviation and Stewart Warner South Wind. 2005: Acquired Sensorex, a sensors and electronics specialist; ECET, specialists in ignition systems and airborne electronic equipment, and Avery-Hardoll, a manufacturer of refuelling equipment. 2006: Acquired Firearms Training Systems, a provider of simulation products for firearms training. 2007: Acquired K&F Industries, the parent company of the Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation. 2008: Acquired Ferroperm Piezoceramics A/S, a leading manufacturer of high quality piezoceramic materials for sensing products. Carbon brakes in a deep furnace during chemical vapour deposition 2010s 2010: Reorganised under five new divisions. Business units became facilities reporting to divisional management. 2011: Acquired Pacific Scientific Aerospace from Danaher including Securaplane Technologies Inc., OECO LLC, Artus and TFE Electronics. 2015: Acquired the advanced composites division of Cobham plc. Also acquired the composites division of EDAC, formerly known as Parkway Aerospace & Defense. 2017: Acquired Elite Aerospace, a leader in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) for commercial and military aircraft. Composite radome undergoing qualification testing Enabling the Extraordinary To Fly To Power To Live AEROSPACE DEFENCE ENERGY & EQUIPMENT Aftermarket Support UK +44 (0) 330 363 0006 US toll-free +1 877 666 0712 GLOBAL SUPPORT CENTRE CONTACT US Engage & Connect VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER SURVEY SIGN UP TO EMAIL ALERTS © Meggitt PLC. All rights reserved Privacy | Cookies | Legal | Terms & Conditions | Modern Slavery Act By Emperor & ID