GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UK, Jan 1, 2024 – In 1973, Sir David McMurtry and John Deer founded global engineering technologies company, Renishaw. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Renishaw subsidiaries around the globe hosted a variety of events and activities throughout 2023 involving many stakeholders, including customers and employees.
50th anniversary celebrations at the Turin Automobile Museum, Italy
As part of these celebrations, in the UK, the company welcomed employees and their relatives to special Gloucestershire and South Wales open days held at its New Mills and Miskin sites respectively. The events provided a unique opportunity for guests to experience Renishaw’s world-class facilities and view its cutting-edge products in action, with informative demonstrations conducted by experts across various business divisions.
50th anniversary open day at Miskin 2023
From captivating science, technology, engineering and Maths (STEM) activities for younger audiences, to a classic car show and sporting challenges run by partner organizations Cardiff Rugby and Forest Green Rovers FC, the open days showcased the innovation and community spirit that has defined Renishaw for five decades. Renishaw’s Edinburgh research office also celebrated the anniversary in style with their very own office band which played hit songs from 1973 including Elton John, Stealers Wheel and Stevie Wonder.
Renishaw Sweden
“This year we’ve celebrated the achievements of our co-founders, plus past and present employees, who have contributed significantly to global advances in precision manufacturing,” said Will Lee, Renishaw’s CEO. “Whilst this landmark year has now ended, we’re looking forward with confidence to another half-century of innovation and sustainable growth.”
To showcase Renishaw’s global success, teams around the world also hosted anniversary events. In Germany, for example, Renishaw GmbH and guests from Renishaw AG (Switzerland) hosted a ‘70s themed summer festival, whilst in Asia, Will Lee joined Andy Buttrey, Renishaw’s APAC President, to participate in festivities at some of the region’s subsidiaries. This included a family party in Shanghai and rock-climbing with employees in Hong Kong.
“The celebrations are about more than just 50 years of Renishaw’s success,” said Edwin Lau, HR Business Partner at Renishaw Hong Kong. “We celebrated the spirit of unity and collaboration that has driven us forward all these years and the exciting future ahead.”
Renishaw India celebrate 50th anniversary in Rajkot
In Rajkot, India, an evening seminar for customers showcased Renishaw’s products for smart manufacturing, including live demonstrations and a round-table discussion, whilst in Italy, a similar event was held at the Turin Automobile Museum.
“The formula that has ensured Renishaw’s success over the past 50 years remains at the heart of our approach to business,” said Lee. “That means continuing to invest heavily in research and development, and focus on excellent customer service, whilst developing our people who are at the heart of our business. On behalf of Renishaw, I would like to thank them for making our continued success possible.”
50th anniversary celebrations in Shanghai, China
As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations and to share its success with local communities, Renishaw also donated a total of £150,000 to charities and not-for-profit organisations located in the countries where it has operations. In the UK this included foodbank provider, the Trussell Trust, with all its branches local to the company’s sites in Gloucestershire and South Wales receiving a donation.
Renishaw’s first product, the touch-trigger probe, was invented by Sir David McMurtry to solve a specific inspection requirement for the Olympus engines used in Concorde. This innovative product led to a revolution in three-dimensional co-ordinate measurement, enabling the accurate measurement of machined components and finished assemblies. The company has now grown from a small enterprise located in the homes and garages of its co-founders, to a multinational corporation with operations in 36 countries.
50th anniversary open day at New Mills, Gloucestershire, UK
50th anniversary open day at New Mills, Gloucestershire, UK
Today, Renishaw is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s FTSE 250 index, with a current valuation around £2.5 billion. It employs over 5,000 people, including 3,400 staff at its sites in the UK, primarily in Gloucestershire and South Wales.
For further information on Renishaw’s 50-year history, please visit www.renishaw.com/history.
About Renishaw
Renishaw is a world leading supplier of measuring systems and manufacturing systems. Its products give high accuracy and precision, gathering data to provide customers and end users with traceability and confidence in what they’re making. This technology also helps its customers to innovate their products and processes.
It is a global business, with over 5,000 employees located in the 36 countries where it has wholly owned subsidiary operations. The majority of R&D work takes place in the UK, with the largest manufacturing sites located in the UK, Ireland and India.
For the year ended June 2023 Renishaw recorded sales of £688.6 million of which 95% was due to exports. The company’s largest markets are China, USA, Japan and Germany.
Renishaw is guided by its purpose: Transforming Tomorrow Together. This means working with its customers to make the products, create the materials, and develop the therapies that are going to be needed for the future.
For more information, visit www.renishaw.com.
