Smiths Group
Smiths Group is a British multinational engineering group focused primarily on industrial technologies and engineered components.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Smiths Group is a British multinational engineering company whose origins lie in a nineteenth-century London jewellery, watchmaking and precision-instrument business. Samuel Smith established the original S Smith & Sons shop in 1851, and the business subsequently expanded from watches and jewellery into diamonds, automotive instruments, aviation equipment, marine instruments and industrial technologies. It became a public limited company in 1914 and has remained publicly traded for more than a century. The company’s early growth was closely connected with precision timekeeping and the development of the automobile. Smiths supplied watches and chronometers to customers including the British Admiralty, introduced motor accessories in the early twentieth century, and developed speedometers, odometers, lighting equipment, electrical starters, carburettors and other automotive products. During the First World War it expanded production for aircraft accessories, lighting systems and munitions, establishing major manufacturing capacity at Cricklewood in north London. In the interwar period Smiths instruments became standard equipment in many British cars and motorcycles, helping the distinctive SMITHS dial mark become familiar to generations of motorists. The company also acquired or developed businesses in spark plugs, hydraulic jacking systems, aircraft instruments, marine equipment and watches. Smiths was substantially reorganised after the Second World War. The Anglo-Celtic Watch Company, formed with Ingersoll in 1946, became a significant British watch producer, while the acquisition of Portland Plastics in 1958 helped establish the foundations of the later medical systems business. Smiths Aviation and Smiths Marine were separated into dedicated divisions in 1958, and an Industrial division was created in 1960. The corporate name changed to Smiths Industries in 1967, reflecting the company’s increasingly diversified and international character. By the late 1970s, however, traditional clocks, watches and automotive instruments were declining markets. Smiths withdrew from direct supply to the European automotive industry in the early 1980s and adopted a more decentralised structure, increasingly relying on overseas operations and acquisitions. The group’s late twentieth-century strategy concentrated on industrial, medical and aerospace activities. In 1984 it reorganised around Industrial, Medical Systems, and Aerospace and Defence divisions. Acquisitions included Lear Siegler Holdings, an American avionics specialist, and Deltec, a medical-device business. In 2000 Smiths Industries changed its name to Smiths Group and completed a merger with TI Group. The transaction brought additional interests in aerospace and industrial sealing, although the acquired automotive operations were subsequently separated into TI Automotive. Smiths Detection was established as a fourth division in 2002, developing systems for detecting weapons, explosives, contraband and hazardous substances. Smiths Aerospace was sold to GE Aviation in 2007 for a reported US$4.8 billion, with the group explaining that the disposal would release capital for other activities. Smiths later expanded its industrial and detection portfolios through acquisitions such as Power Holdings and Morpho Detection. It also increased investment in research and development, including the Digital Forge initiative in California, with management seeking to increase the contribution of newly developed products. Smiths Medical was acquired by ICU Medical in January 2022. In the following period, the group’s remaining portfolio became more concentrated in industrial technology. John Crane supplies sealing and related technologies for rotating equipment, while Flex-Tek develops engineered components and systems. Smiths Interconnect, a specialist in connectors and related technologies for demanding environments, was announced for sale to Molex in 2025 and completed in 2026 according to the supplied reference material. Smiths Detection was announced for sale to CVC Capital Partners in December 2025 and completed in June 2026 according to that material. After these transactions, Smiths Group’s operations are primarily centred on John Crane and Flex-Tek. The group has also supplied technologies used in space missions, including components associated with Chandrayaan-3 and filtration equipment for NASA’s Artemis II mission.
History
Smiths Group began in 1851 when Samuel Smith founded a jewellery and watchmaking shop at Newington Causeway in south London. The company moved its main London operations to the Strand in 1872 and later developed diamond-trading and precision-watch activities. Its watches and chronometers were supplied to important customers, including the Admiralty. In 1904 the business entered the motor-accessories market, selling and later manufacturing speedometers and other equipment. Smiths’ first speedometer was supplied for the Royal Mercedes of King Edward VII. The growth of motoring led to dedicated production. Nicole Nielsen, a manufacturing partner, opened a Watford factory in 1907, while Smiths established its own motor-accessories operations at Speedometer House on Great Portland Street in 1913. The range included instruments, lighting equipment, electrical systems, carburettors and horns. Smiths became a public limited company on 21 July 1914. Wartime demand then drove the construction of Cricklewood Works, which produced aircraft accessories, lighting equipment and munitions. In 1921 the Great Portland Street manufacturing activities moved to the Cricklewood site. During the interwar years Smiths instruments became standard fittings in many British cars. The company acquired interests in KLG spark plugs and British Jaeger, and from 1935 its Jackall hydraulic jacking system was fitted to numerous vehicles. An aircraft and marine department was created in 1937 and operated alongside Henry Hughes and Son. Smiths also expanded its watch interests: in 1946 it joined Ingersoll to establish the Anglo-Celtic Watch Company in Wales. The venture became a major European watch producer before closing in 1980. A Smiths watch was worn by Edmund Hillary during his successful ascent of Mount Everest. The 1950s brought major organisational change. Smiths Aviation and Smiths Marine became separate divisions in 1958, and the acquisition of Portland Plastics provided a base for the future medical systems operation. An Industrial division followed in 1960. The name Smiths Industries was adopted in 1967 as the company broadened beyond its original activities. By the end of the 1970s, clocks, watches and automotive instruments were in structural decline. Smiths ceased direct supply to the European automotive industry in 1983, while the remaining business moved toward a decentralised, internationally oriented model. In 1984 Smiths Industries was reorganised into Industrial, Medical Systems, and Aerospace and Defence divisions. Acquisitions during the late 1980s and 1990s strengthened avionics and medical devices, notably Lear Siegler Holdings in 1987 and Deltec in 1994. The company changed its name to Smiths Group plc in November 2000 and completed its merger with TI Group in December of that year. TI’s automotive assets were separated into TI Automotive, while the group retained and developed aerospace and industrial-sealing interests. Smiths Detection became a fourth division in 2002, supplying systems for identifying weapons, explosives, contraband and hazardous materials. Smiths Aerospace grew as a supplier to both civil and military aviation but was sold to GE Aviation in 2007. Smiths subsequently acquired Power Holdings in 2011 and Morpho Detection in 2016. During the 2010s it increased research and development investment and established a Digital Forge in California. ICU Medical completed the purchase of Smiths Medical in January 2022. Smiths also continued to have a Russian presence through the partly owned John Crane Iskra entity after the invasion of Ukraine, an issue relevant to the group’s geographic footprint and stakeholder scrutiny. The company supplied components associated with the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing in 2023 and later supported NASA’s Artemis II programme with filtration-related components for the Orion spacecraft. The group’s portfolio was further reshaped in 2025 and 2026. Smiths Interconnect was sold to Molex, and Smiths Detection was sold to CVC Capital Partners, according to the supplied reference material. Following those disposals, Smiths Group is primarily an industrial-technology company built around John Crane, which serves rotating-equipment applications, and Flex-Tek, which supplies engineered components and flexible systems.
- 2026
Portfolio concentrated on industrial technologies
[1]Following the reported sales of Smiths Interconnect and Smiths Detection, the group’s principal operations became John Crane and Flex-Tek.
- 2023
Chandrayaan-3 mission contribution
[1]Smiths Group supplied components associated with the landing of India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission.
- 2022
Smiths Medical sold to ICU Medical
[1]ICU Medical completed the acquisition of Smiths Medical, materially narrowing Smiths Group’s portfolio.
- 2007
Smiths Aerospace sold to GE Aviation
[1]Smiths disposed of its aerospace division to GE Aviation to redeploy capital into other businesses.
- 2002
Smiths Detection established
[1]The group created a division specialising in detection systems for weapons, explosives, contraband and hazardous substances.
- 2000
Smiths Group name and TI Group merger
[1]The company adopted the Smiths Group name and completed its merger with TI Group.
- 1983
Exit from direct European automotive supply
[1]Smiths sold its automotive instrument division as the company shifted away from declining traditional automotive markets.
- 1967
Name changes to Smiths Industries
[1]The company adopted Smiths Industries Ltd to reflect its diversification and international operations.
- 1958
Aviation, marine and medical foundations
[1]Smiths separated its aviation and marine activities and acquired Portland Plastics, which helped underpin its medical systems business.
- 1946
Anglo-Celtic Watch Company founded
[1]Smiths and Ingersoll formed a Welsh watchmaking joint venture that later became a major European producer.
Products and positioning
A diversified engineering group serving demanding industrial, infrastructure, energy, transportation, aerospace and security applications. Its current positioning is centred on highly engineered components and technologies where reliability, safety, precision and performance are critical.
Industrial sealing and rotating-equipment technologies
John Crane
John Crane is Smiths Group’s industrial division focused on technologies for rotating equipment. Its activities centre on engineered sealing and reliability solutions used in demanding industrial environments, including applications where controlling leakage, maintaining uptime and managing safety are important. The division is associated with process industries and other heavy-duty equipment markets.
Engineered components and flexible systems
Flex-Tek
Flex-Tek develops engineered components and flexible systems for industrial and other demanding applications. Its portfolio reflects Smiths Group’s emphasis on specialised components that address thermal, fluid-management, vibration, connection and installation requirements across equipment and infrastructure markets.
Security detection and screening · 2002
Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection historically supplied systems for detecting weapons, explosives, contraband and hazardous substances. Its products served aviation, transport, critical infrastructure, military and security customers. The division was sold to CVC Capital Partners in 2026 according to the supplied reference material.
Electrical connectors and interconnection technologies
Smiths Interconnect
Smiths Interconnect produced connector and interconnection technologies for rugged, high-performance environments. Its products served sectors requiring reliable electrical connections under demanding mechanical, thermal or environmental conditions. The business was sold to Molex in a transaction completed in 2026 according to the supplied reference material.
Medical devices
Smiths Medical
Smiths Medical was the group’s medical-device division, developed through the post-war expansion of the business and acquisitions including Deltec. It supplied equipment used in areas such as infusion, medication delivery and airway management before ICU Medical completed its acquisition of the division in January 2022.
Automotive instrumentation · 1904
Smiths automotive instruments
Smiths became a leading supplier of British automotive and motorcycle instruments, including speedometers, odometers and related dashboard equipment. The company exited direct European automotive supply in 1983, although Smiths-branded classic instruments continued through successor businesses with the group’s permission.
Watches and precision timepieces · 1851
Smiths watches and chronometers
The original business sold precision watches and chronometers, including products supplied to the Admiralty. Smiths later participated in large-scale British watch production through Anglo-Celtic Watch Company. The watch business declined during the second half of the twentieth century and was ultimately discontinued.
Brand decisions
2025
Announce sale of Smiths InterconnectM&ABackground
Smiths Group continued reshaping its portfolio around its core industrial platforms.
Action taken
The group announced the sale of Smiths Interconnect to Molex; completion was reported for April 2026 in the supplied reference material.
Aftermath
Smiths Interconnect left the group, further narrowing Smiths Group’s continuing operations.
2025
Announce sale of Smiths DetectionM&ABackground
Smiths Group sought to focus on industrial technologies and return a substantial portion of disposal proceeds to shareholders.
Action taken
The group announced the sale of Smiths Detection to CVC Capital Partners for £2 billion; completion was reported for June 2026 in the supplied reference material.
Aftermath
After the disposal, John Crane and Flex-Tek became the group’s principal operating divisions.
Announced transaction value. £2 billion (December 2025 announcement)
2022
Dispose of Smiths MedicalM&ABackground
Smiths Group was simplifying its portfolio and concentrating resources on businesses with stronger industrial-technology characteristics.
Action taken
ICU Medical completed the acquisition of Smiths Medical in January 2022.
Aftermath
The sale removed the medical division from Smiths Group and left industrial technology as a more prominent part of the group.
2007
Sell Smiths Aerospace to GE AviationM&ABackground
Smiths Aerospace was profitable and had a substantial position in civil and military aviation, but Smiths Group wanted to redeploy capital into other parts of the portfolio.
Action taken
Smiths agreed to sell the aerospace division to GE Aviation for approximately US$4.8 billion.
Aftermath
Smiths exited aerospace as a direct operating division and increased its focus on industrial, medical and detection activities.
Transaction value. Approximately US$4.8 billion (2007)
2000
Merge with TI GroupM&ABackground
Smiths Industries sought to broaden its aerospace and industrial portfolio through a combination with TI Group.
Action taken
The merger was completed in December 2000, followed by the separation of the acquired automotive activities into TI Automotive.
Aftermath
The transaction reinforced Smiths Group’s aerospace and industrial-sealing capabilities while removing the automotive business from the continuing group.
1983
Withdraw from direct European automotive supplyStrategyBackground
Traditional automotive instruments had become a declining activity as the company diversified into industrial, medical and aerospace markets.
Action taken
Smiths Industries sold its automotive instrument division; the business was initially acquired by Lucas and later continued under employee ownership as Caerbont Automotive Instruments.
Aftermath
The decision marked a major retreat from the automotive market while Smiths concentrated on higher-growth and more specialised activities.
Recent events
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