Solartron Laboratory Instruments Ltd.
22 High Street Kingston, Surrey (1950 - 1953)
Solartron Works, Queens Road, Thames Ditton, Surrey (1954)

Founded in 1947 by engineers Copestick & Ponsford, Solartron began by subcontracting for UK government agencies. They soon manufactured scientific instruments like oscilloscopes and radar simulators.

The 1950s saw significant growth under John Bolton, followed by a move to a dedicated facility in 1958.
In 1962, Schlumberger acquired Solartron, providing access to new technology and sales channels.

Solartron's product line diversified under Schlumberger, encompassing measurement instruments, weapons & radar training simulators, and transducer technology.

A management buyout in 1993 and later acquisition by AMETEK in 2005 led to further restructuring.
Today, Solartron's legacy lives on within AMETEK Ultra Precision Technologies with Solartron Metrology and Solartron ISA remaining leaders in their respective fields.

A History of Innovation: Solartron (1947-2024)

Humble Beginnings (1947-1948):

Solartron's story starts in 1947 when engineers Leslie B. Copestick and E.R. Ponsford, based in Kingston upon Thames, began subcontracting work for the GPO (General Post Office) and the Admiralty Research Laboratory. Recognizing an opportunity, they registered the company name Solartron in 1948 and embarked on manufacturing pulse generators, power supplies, and oscillators. Their product line soon expanded to include oscilloscopes. [1][2]

Growth and Expansion (1950s):

Under the leadership of John Bolton, the 1950s witnessed significant growth for Solartron. The company diversified its offerings, developing a wide range of scientific instruments including radar simulators, X-ray spectrometers, cybernetic teaching machines, and analog computers.[2]

Landmark Moves and Partnerships (1956-1962):

In 1956, Solartron established new headquarters at Goodwyns Place, Dorking, Surrey. This period also saw the company participate in an instrument exhibition, showcasing not only their own products but also acting as sole U.K. distributors for various foreign equipment manufacturers.[3]

A significant partnership was formed in 1957 with Ericsson Telephones, Ltd.  Solartron assumed responsibility for the global distribution of Ericsson's electronic products. [4]

The company's continued success led to a move to a dedicated facility on a 15-acre site in Farnborough, Hampshire in 1958.

Schlumberger Era and Restructuring (1962-1977):

In 1962, Schlumberger Group acquired Solartron as a wholly-owned subsidiary. This acquisition provided Solartron with access to Schlumberger's technology platforms and established sales channels.

To streamline operations, Schlumberger consolidated the previously established subsidiary companies under a single entity with unified marketing and R&D functions.  In 1977, Schlumberger Measurement Control (UK) was formed as a holding company, with Solartron Electronic Group as one of its subsidiaries.

Product Diversification under Schlumberger (1977):

Solartron's product offerings were reorganized into four distinct divisions under Schlumberger's ownership:

1. Measurement Group: Focused on digital instruments, data loggers, and forerunners of today's Frequency Response Analyzers.
2. Weapons Simulation Group: Developed Simfire devices for weapons training.
3. Radar Simulation Group: Produced radar systems for training air traffic controllers.
4. Transducer Group: Manufactured sensors for aerospace, industrial applications, and the energy sector.

Change in Ownership and Continued Innovation (1993-2005):

A management buyout acquired the Solartron businesses from Schlumberger in October 1993.  Shortly thereafter, The Roxboro Group PLC acquired the company in 1994.

During this period, the former measurement group evolved into Solartron Analytical, specializing in frequency response analysers, electrochemical interfaces, and digital voltmeters.

In 2000, Solartron Analytical relocated its head office functions to its current facility in Farnborough, while production moved to other Roxboro locations.

AMETEK Acquisition and Beyond (2005-2024):

In September 2005, AMETEK, a leading manufacturer of electronic instruments, acquired four Solartron group companies, including Solartron Analytical.  This acquisition brought Solartron Analytical under the umbrella of AMETEK Advanced Measurement Technology, joining established brands like ORTEC, Signal Recovery, and Princeton Applied Research.

Production and service functions for Solartron Analytical products were consolidated at the Farnborough facility, once again uniting all key business operations under one roof.

Solartron Legacy (2024):

Today, Solartron's legacy lives on within AMETEK Ultra Precision Technologies.  Solartron Metrology remains a world leader in linear measurement sensor technology, while Solartron ISA offers flow measurement solutions for the oil and gas industry.[5]

[1] Wireless World May 1964, Page 235.
[2] Wireless World Aug 1965, Page 387.
[3] Wireless World Mar 1956, Page 108.
[4] Wireless World May 1958, Page 218.
[5] AMETEK Corporate Website accessed March 2024