Professional services
UnclaimedAn American industrial company that designs and manufactures fluid-handling, health-science, optics, fire-rescue, and other specialty engineered equipment.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
IDEX Corporation is a diversified American industrial manufacturer headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. The company develops and produces equipment used to move, measure, control, filter, compress, dispense, and analyze fluids and gases, alongside optical technologies, hydraulic rescue tools, fire-suppression equipment, and other engineered products. Its customers span industrial processing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, semiconductor manufacturing, transportation, energy, mining, marine applications, municipal services, and emergency response. The company was formed in 1988 after Kohlberg Kravis Roberts acquired several divisions associated with Houdaille Industries. IDEX completed its initial public offering in June 1989, raising approximately $3.3 million. From its early base in industrial pumps and related equipment, it expanded through a combination of internal development and acquisitions. Purchases such as Hale Products and Gast Manufacturing broadened the business into fire-and-rescue equipment, compressors, vacuum pumps, and air motors. Later acquisitions added nanoparticle-processing equipment, specialized pump systems, reciprocating pumps, pressure technologies, valves, micro-precision components, and filtration products. IDEX operates through a portfolio of more than 50 largely decentralized businesses. This structure allows individual brands and operating companies to maintain specialized engineering capabilities and close relationships with customers while sharing the resources of a larger public company. The business is organized into three principal segments: Fluid and Metering Technologies; Health and Science Technologies; and Fire and Safety/Diversified Products. The first segment covers pumps, meters, valves, dispensing systems, and other fluid-control products. Health and Science Technologies serves laboratory, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, semiconductor, and precision-manufacturing applications. Fire and Safety/Diversified Products includes fire pumps, ventilation systems, hydraulic rescue tools, and related emergency-response equipment. The company has expanded internationally and, according to the cited reference material, operated in approximately 20 countries with about 9,000 employees as of February 2025. IDEX is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol IEX and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Its stated name is commonly explained as an acronym for Innovation, Diversity, and Excellence. Eric Ashleman is identified in the reference material as chief executive officer. IDEX’s current strategy emphasizes specialized engineered products, recurring industrial and aftermarket demand, decentralized operating companies, and acquisitions that strengthen its technology platforms and end-market coverage.
History
IDEX Corporation was established in 1988 in the aftermath of transactions involving Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Houdaille Industries, and Tube Instruments. Its initial portfolio was assembled from industrial businesses with capabilities in fluid handling and related engineered equipment. Donald N. Boyce became the company’s first chairman and chief executive officer. IDEX went public in June 1989, raising approximately $3.3 million in its initial public offering. During the 1990s, IDEX developed a broad industrial platform through acquisitions. In May 1994, it agreed to purchase Hale Products for approximately $90 million. Hale manufactured fire-truck pumps, portable pumps, and ventilation systems, and its addition expanded IDEX’s presence in fire and safety equipment. The group’s fire and rescue activities also included Hurst hydraulic rescue tools, known for the Jaws of Life product line. By 1996, IDEX had acquired ten other companies and reported annual revenue of approximately $562 million, reflecting the rapid expansion of its decentralized operating model. In January 1998, IDEX agreed to acquire Gast Manufacturing for approximately $118 million. Gast brought compressors, vacuum pumps, air motors, and other air-moving technologies into the portfolio. Boyce left the chief executive role the following year, and chief operating officer Frank Hansen succeeded him. The company continued to combine industrial fluid technologies with specialized businesses serving distinct customer niches. Andrew Silvernail became chairman and chief executive officer in 2011. That year, IDEX acquired Microfluidics International, whose equipment was used in the production of nanoparticles. The transaction supported the company’s activities in pharmaceutical research and production and helped develop the later Health and Science Technologies platform. Over time, IDEX expanded beyond conventional pumps into precision fluidics, laboratory and pharmaceutical equipment, optical technologies, and other highly specialized products. The company’s acquisition program continued in the late 2010s and 2020s. In 2018, IDEX announced the acquisition of Phantom Controls, a manufacturer of pump systems. In 2021, it announced the acquisition of Abel Pumps, followed by agreements to acquire Airtech Group and US Valve. These transactions added reciprocating pumps, pressure technologies, compressors, and valves serving mining, marine, power, industrial, and other applications. In 2022, IDEX announced the planned acquisition of the Netherlands-based Muon Group. Muon’s businesses, including LouwersHanique and Millux, were intended to join IDEX’s Health and Science Technologies segment and increase its micro-precision manufacturing capabilities. In 2024, IDEX announced plans to acquire Mott Corporation, a filtration-products manufacturer, further extending the health, science, and precision-filtration portfolio. IDEX currently operates as a global industrial group organized into Fluid and Metering Technologies, Health and Science Technologies, and Fire and Safety/Diversified Products. More than 50 operating businesses retain substantial specialization and decentralization, while the parent company provides strategic, financial, and organizational coordination. The company is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, trades on the New York Stock Exchange as IEX, and is included in the S&P 500. Reference material dated February 2025 describes operations in approximately 20 countries and a workforce of approximately 9,000 employees.
- 2024
Mott Corporation acquisition planned
[1]IDEX announces plans to purchase filtration-products manufacturer Mott Corporation.
- 2022
Muon Group acquisition announced
[1]IDEX announces plans to acquire Muon Group and integrate several subsidiaries into Health and Science Technologies.
- 2021
Expansion in pumps, pressure technology, and valves
[1]IDEX announces acquisitions involving Abel Pumps, Airtech Group, and US Valve.
- 2018
Phantom Controls acquisition announced
[1]IDEX announces the acquisition of Phantom Controls, a pump-systems manufacturer.
- 2011
Leadership transition and Microfluidics acquisition
[1]Andrew Silvernail becomes chairman and CEO, and IDEX acquires Microfluidics International.
- 1998
Gast Manufacturing acquisition announced
[1]IDEX agrees to acquire Gast Manufacturing, adding compressors, vacuum pumps, and air motors.
- 1994
Hale Products acquisition announced
[1]IDEX agrees to acquire Hale Products, expanding its fire-pump, portable-pump, ventilation, and rescue-equipment activities.
- 1989
Initial public offering
[1]IDEX completes its IPO in June and raises approximately $3.3 million.
- 1988
IDEX is formed
[1]IDEX Corporation is formed following transactions involving Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Houdaille Industries, and Tube Instruments.
Products and positioning
A diversified, acquisition-oriented industrial technology group built around specialized, high-engineering-content products and a decentralized portfolio of operating companies.
Industrial fluid technology
Fluid and metering equipment
This portfolio includes pumps, positive-displacement pumps, flow meters, valves, dispensing systems, and related equipment for moving and controlling liquids and gases. Applications range across industrial processing, agriculture, energy, chemical handling, and other markets requiring accurate flow management and reliable operation.
Laboratory and precision equipment
Health and science technologies
IDEX’s health and science activities serve pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory, semiconductor, and precision-manufacturing customers. Products and technologies include precision fluidics, nanoparticle-processing equipment, optical components, micro-precision technologies, pressure systems, and filtration products.
Fire and safety equipment
Fire and rescue equipment
The fire and rescue portfolio includes fire-truck pumps, portable pumps, ventilation systems, fire-suppression equipment, and hydraulic rescue tools. The segment serves emergency responders, municipalities, industrial facilities, and other users requiring equipment for firefighting and rescue operations.
Industrial machinery
Air and pressure technologies
These products include air compressors, vacuum pumps, air motors, pressure-control systems, and related valves. They support industrial automation, laboratory systems, manufacturing processes, and applications requiring controlled air or gas movement.
Precision engineered components
Optics and filtration products
IDEX also develops optical filters, precision optical components, and filtration technologies. These products extend the company into specialized scientific, semiconductor, laboratory, and industrial applications where contamination control, selective transmission, or fine-particle separation is important.
Brand decisions
2024
Plan acquisition of Mott CorporationM&ABackground
IDEX aimed to strengthen its health, science, and filtration technology portfolio.
Action taken
IDEX announced that it intended to purchase Mott Corporation, a filtration-products manufacturer.
Aftermath
The planned acquisition was expected to add filtration capabilities to the Health and Science Technologies segment.
2022
Acquire Muon GroupM&ABackground
IDEX sought additional micro-precision technologies for its Health and Science Technologies segment.
Action taken
The company announced plans to acquire the Netherlands-based Muon Group and integrate businesses including LouwersHanique and Millux.
Aftermath
The planned transaction was intended to deepen IDEX’s precision-manufacturing and health-science capabilities.
2021
Expand through Abel Pumps, Airtech Group, and US ValveM&ABackground
IDEX targeted specialized pumping, pressure, compressor, and valve technologies in industrial end markets.
Action taken
IDEX announced the acquisition of Abel Pumps and agreements involving Airtech Group and US Valve.
Aftermath
The transactions broadened the company’s offerings for mining, marine, power, industrial, and pressure-technology applications.
2011
Acquire Microfluidics InternationalM&ABackground
IDEX wanted to strengthen its presence in pharmaceutical research and production technologies.
Action taken
The company acquired Microfluidics International, a manufacturer of nanoparticle-processing equipment.
Aftermath
The acquisition supported the development of IDEX’s health and science technology activities.
1998
Acquire Gast ManufacturingM&ABackground
IDEX pursued additional air-moving and vacuum technologies to complement its industrial equipment portfolio.
Action taken
IDEX agreed to purchase Gast Manufacturing for approximately $118 million.
Aftermath
The transaction added compressors, vacuum pumps, air motors, and related products.
Acquisition value. $118 million announced transaction value (January 1998)
1994
Acquire Hale ProductsM&ABackground
IDEX sought to expand beyond its existing industrial businesses into fire and safety equipment.
Action taken
The company agreed to acquire Hale Products for approximately $90 million.
Aftermath
Hale became part of IDEX’s fire and safety activities, alongside related rescue-equipment businesses.
Acquisition value. $90 million announced transaction value (May 1994)
Recent events
Reported
IDEX completes acquisition of ABEL[3]
IDEX Corporation completed its previously announced acquisition of Abel Pumps, L.P. and certain affiliates from Hillenbrand, Inc.
Reported
IDEX announces 50/50 joint venture with Business Big Data[4]
IDEX announced the formation of a 50/50 joint venture with Business Big Data PTE Ltd./Seasail Ventures. The new company will focus on investing in China's new infrastructure projects.
Reported
IDEX prices $500 million senior notes offering[5]
IDEX Corporation announced the pricing of a public offering of $500 million in 3.0% Senior Notes due 2030. Closing was expected on April 29, 2020, subject to customary conditions.
Reported
IDEX withdraws financial guidance[6]
IDEX said it was withdrawing all prior financial guidance and suspending future financial guidance for the balance of 2020 because of uncertainty about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reported
IDEX completes acquisition of Flow Management Devices[7]
IDEX Corporation completed its previously announced acquisition of Flow Management Devices, LLC, a privately held provider of flow measurement systems.
IDEX agrees to acquire Flow Management Devices[8]
IDEX Corporation entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Flow Management Devices, LLC for $125 million in cash consideration before closing adjustments.
Sources9 sources
- 1IDEX Corporationen.wikipedia.org
- 2IDEX Corporation official websiteidexcorp.com
- 3IDEX完成对ABEL的收购finanznachrichten.de
- 4优点互动宣布与Business Big Data成立对半持股合资公司finance.sina.com.cn
- 5IDEX为5亿美元优先票据发行定价financialpost.com
- 6IDEX撤回财务指引finanznachrichten.de
- 7IDEX 完成收购 Flow Management Devicesfinancialpost.com
- 8IDEX同意收购Flow Management Devicesworldoil.com
- 9IDEX Corporation Completes Acquisition of Flow Management Devices LLCdraytonvalleywesternreview.com
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