Thales SA

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Top 30 Arms Producers[1]
SIPRI  No.8 

Thales is a French multinational company that manufactures and builds electronic equipment and systems for the Defense and Security, Aerospace, and Transportation sectors. It is the 8th largest defence contractor in the world,[1] with ~50% of total sales being military sales[2018].[2]

Thales sells its products worldwide in 68 countries: France: 24.3%; Europe: 21.4%; Asia: 14%; Near and Middle East: 10.4%; North America: 9.2%; the UK: 8.6%; Australia and New Zealand: 5.5%; and Other: 6.6%. The company's activity takes place through the following sectors:

  • 50.5%: Defense and Security: C4I defense and security systems (control and monitoring systems, communication, protection, cyber-security, and other systems), defense mission systems, naval systems, electronic war systems, drones, air operation systems (air defense, air surveillance), ground defense systems and missiles;
  • 37.9%: Aerospaces: avionics equipment, eg. cockpit, cabin multimedia, simulation equipment; and Space systems: satellites, payloads, etc.;
  • 11.1%: Ground Transportation: railroad signaling, transportation network control and supervision systems, etc;
  • 0.5%: Digital Identity and Security: identity management and data protection.


Climate Policy: url=CDP Worldwide CDP Worldwide: A- (2018) ref

Company

Shareholders

Total float: 46.4%
Source: MarketScreener.svg, Mar.2020; Thales: Shareholding structure, Mar.2020

Holdings

Structure

ToDo: history, thalesgroup.comArchive-org-sm.svg, About

Timelines

Vodafone

  • ?date?: China Mobile: Vodafone has also paid hundreds of millions of pounds for a small stake in China Mobile, which now exceeds the British company’s subscriber numbers.
  • 2015: Vodafone suddenly looks vulnerable. Shorn of its American operation, sold for $130bn in 2013, the company is in danger of sliding down the ranks. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-cable-carve-up-l968cd558jk
  • 2015: Vodafone launched broadband and television services.
  • Feb.2014: Verizon Wireless:, Vodafone sold its 45% stake to Verizon Communications, America’s biggest mobile network, returning a lump of ca$h to shareholders larger than the UK's entire defence budget.[3] With the proceeds, Vodafone announced a "Project Spring" initiative to improve network quality in Europe and emerging markets, such as India.[4][5] The transaction was structured to minimise tax, with Vodafone’s American stake stashed in a Netherlands-based holdco, rather than in the UK – £0.00 UK tax was paid on the $130bn sale, and only $5bn in the USA.[6] Vodafone is renowned for paying no UK corporation tax, in part because it offsets interest from what it paid for 3G and 4G licences.[7]
  • Jun.2013: Kabel Deutschland, Germany’s biggest cable provider, was acquired to strengthen Vodafone's quad-play offerings.[2]
  • Feb.2014: ONO, Spain's largest cable operator, was acquired to strengthen Vodafone's quad-play services.[3]
  • Mar.2006: Vodafone Japan: Vodafone announced the sale of its 98% interest to SoftBank, signally a move from global ambitions to a more focused regional player.[8]


  • Apr.2000: Verizon Wireless (formally, Cellco Partnership) was formed as the joint venture between Vodafone Airtouch plc (45%) and Verizon Communications Inc (55%).[15],[7]
  • Jun.2000: Verizon Communications Inc: Bell Atlantic Corporation acquired GTE Corporation, creating a new entity. The USA regulators approved the merger in Jun.2000,[16] creating the largest wireless company in the USA.[17]
  • Sept.1999: Bell Atlantic Corporation (USA) and Vodafone Airtouch plc (UK) proposed the creation of a new wireless phone service joint venture.[14]
  • 1999: Airtouch was Vodafone’s initial foray into the USA. The acquisition put the company on the global map and laid the foundations for an acquisition spree that took the brand to all corners of the earth.

On 29 June 1999, Vodafone completed its purchase of AirTouch Communications, Inc. and changed its name to Vodafone Airtouch plc.

  • 2010: Vodafone has had some bad publicity, including allegations of tax avoidance in 2010 (resulting in the company being forced to pay a £1.25bn bill related to the Mannesmann purchase). It has sparked high numbers of complaints about poor customer service, which by 2016 were more than 3x the industry average and more than 10x higher than O2 and Three. In Oct.2009, regulator OfCom fined Vodafone £4.6m for mis-selling, inaccurate billing and poor handling of complaints.[9]

Does your mobile phone have a SIM card? - a memory chip with security algorithms that were introduced in 1991? (Rhetorical Q). Say "Thanks" and "Ciao" to Michael Walker, Mathematician obsessed with mobile phone security. Without whom, probably much less.

  • Vodafone plans to float its multibillion-pound European towers business in Frankfurt rather than London in a move that further shifts the telecoms group away from Britain. The listing of Vantage Towers would make it one of the larger flotations in Europe in recent years and would be a blow for the London market. Vodafone launched a review of its towers business in November 2018 and completed its separation in May. Vantage has more than 68,000 towers in nine markets and is based in Düsseldorf, Vodafone’s German head office. Vodafone plans to retain a majority stake in Vantage. The group also has a 50 per cent shareholding in CTIL, its joint venture in the UK with O2, which owns 14,300 towers. It is looking to transfer the stake into Vantage. but the company’s expansion and acquisitions over the past 20 years, including most recently the €18.4 billion purchase of cable assets from Liberty Global, has shifted its centre of gravity closer to Germany. Vodafone has named the towers business Vantage Towers. Jul.25.2020
  • Jan.1985: the company’s launch involved the comedian Ernie Wise, dressed in a top hat and period costume, making what Vodafone claimed was Britain’s first offical non-landline call from St Katharine Docks in London.[10]
  • Since then, though, the giant telecoms group has won a long-running $2bn tax dispute in India, made healthy progress hiving off and listing its European masts business, lopped about €4bn from its borrowings and reported a credible set of annual and first-half results. Based in Newbury, Berkshire, Vodafone was created in 1982 as a subsidiary of Racal Electronics. It has grown into one of the world’s largest telecoms groups, selling mobile, broadband, landline and television services in Europe and Africa. in the year to the end of March made an operating profit of €4.1 billion on revenues of just under €45 billion.

Most notably, as well as extricating Vodafone from some of its non-central markets, he has moved to capitalise on its ownership of a vast network of masts and towers in Europe. Having separated the masts assets division into a new business, Vantage Towers, there are plans to float it early next year. Analysts reckon that the listing will value Vantage Towers at between €15 billion and €20 billion and will provide Vodafone with a tidy sum of money that will help to reduce its debts still further. Nov.24.2020

Thales SA

  • Dec.2000: Thales SA: Thomson-CSF renamed itself,ref after the Greek philosopher from around 585 BC, known as the first man of science.

Thomson-CSF

  • ?dates?: Thomson also bought Pilkington Optronics and Avimo, a specialist in infra-red cameras and thermal imaging. Other recent acquisitions include companies involved in underwater defence systems.
  • 2000: Thomson-CSF acquired the Racal Group, and changed its name to Thales.[January 28, 2003]
  •  ??.2000: Racal Electronics plc, a UK defence electronics group, was acquired. The deal brought the French group access to the lucrative UK defence and armaments market, and control of a raft of businesses from radar and sonar, to internet services, as well as Racal's 22% stake in Camelot, the UK's National Lottery operator.[11]
  • 1999: Thomson bought the remainder of Shorts.
  • 1996: a joint venture with GEC Marconi Sonar.
  • 1994: Thomson-CSF buys Ferranti-Sysec (Industrial Business Systems division)
  • 1994: Thomson bought a naval communications business, Redifon, and Thorn-EMI defence systems, which made sensors and fuses for shells.
  • 1993: Thomson 49% of Shorts Missile Systems in Belfast, plus two other famous British names, Rediffusion and Ferranti Systems.
  • 1990: Thomson bought Link Miles, a flight simulation and training business, and formed a 50/50 joint venture with Ferranti Sonar.
  • 1984: Thomson-CSF UK Ltd was formed.
  • 1973: Thomson established its first branch office in Britain.
  • 1968: Thomson-CSF was formed by the merger of Thomson-Brandt and the Compagnie Générale de Télégraphie Sans Fil.

Stuff

  • 2003: Thales is selected to be part of the Tripartite Alliance to develop the UK's future Aircraft Carriers.
  • 2002: Thales Telecom Services: Thales Translink and Thales Fieldforce merged.
  • 2001: BAE Systems sells its share of Thomson Marconi Sonar to Thales. The company is then renamed Thales Underwater Systems
  • 2001: Siemens exercises its option to sell its 33% shareholding in Thales ATM (Air Traffic Management) to Thales.
  • 2001: Thales Air Defence: Shorts Missile Systems changed its name.
  • 2000: W Vinten Ltd acquired by the Avimo Group Ltd who are then acquired by Thales and become part of Thales Optronics. WP:Alvis plc
  • 2000: Thomson-CSF Racal plc becomes Thales plc
  • 2000: Thomson-CSF buys the remaining half share in Shorts Missile Systems from Bombardier.
  • 2000: Thomson-CSF embarks on a friendly take-over of Racal Electronics PLC and creates Thomson-CSF Racal PLC
  • 2000: Thomson-CSF buys remaining shares in Pilkington Optronics
  • 1999: BAE Systems acquire Marconi's 49.9% share of Thomson Marconi Sonar
  • 1997: Creation of Airsys ATM, a joint venture company of Thomson-CSF and Siemens Plessey.
  • 1996: Racal Marine/Decca Marine was sold to Litton Industries. WP:Litton Industries
  • 1995: Thomson Marconi Sonar was formed when GEC Marconi acquired Ferranti's share of Thomson Sonar Systems (FTSS). WP:Thomson Marconi Sonar
  • 1995: Redifon MEL was formed by the merger of MEL Communications and Redifon.
  • 1995: Racal acquired Thorn EMI Electronics Sensors Group. Thorn's Missile Electronics Division was acquired by Thomson-CSF.
  • 1994: Redifon SPT is acquired by Thomson-CSF and the Company is relaunched as Redifon
  • 1994: Thomson Training & Simulation: Thomson-CSF acquired Hughes Rediffusion Simulation, and then merged it with Link Miles.
  • 1993: Shorts Missile Systems formed, a 50/50 Joint Venture between Thomson-CSF and Bombardier Shorts.
  • 1991: Redifon acquires SPT Limited and becomes Redifon SPT Limited
  • 1990: Thomson and Ferranti Computer Systems form Ferranti // Thomson Sonar Systems (Thomson acquired 50.1% share) // Philips decide to pull out of the Defence industry. As a result, Thorn EMI Electronics acquires the Radar and EW Divisions of MEL while the Communications Division is acquired by Thomson-CSF // Thomson-CSF takes 50% stake in Pilkington Optronics which then acquires Thorn EMI Electro-Optics. // Thomson-CSF acquires Link Miles.
  • 1989: Shorts was acquired by Bombardier.
  • 1988: Redifon: a management buy-out at Rediffusion Radio Systems leads to the company being relaunched under its original name of Redifon. // Hughes acquires Rediffusion Simulation and the company becomes Hughes Rediffusion Simulation. // Vinten was split into two separate entities. W Vinten Ltd focus on reconnaissance equipment and Vinten Broadcast Ltd concentrate on broadcast equipment solutions. //
  • 1983: Racal successfully competed for one of the UK's first mobile phone licences with its new Vodafone subsidiary.
  • 1980: Racal acquired Decca, bringing with it substantial expertise in electronic warfare and ground-based radar, as well as the famous Decca Marine radar.
  • 1980: All Redifon subsidiaries adopt new names to strengthen the Rediffusion corporate image; Redifon becomes Rediffusion Radio Systems and Redifon Simulation becomes Rediffusion Simulation.
  • 1979: Thorn EMI was created by the merger of the EMI Group with Thorn Industries.
  • 1977: Pilkington plc acquires Barr & Stroud
  • 1971: MEL absorbs the avionics business EK Cole (Ekco).
  • Dec.1969: Ferranti NC was bought by The Plessey Company, with full support from the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation and the MoT.
  • 1969: Link Miles was formed.
  • 1964: Mullard Equipment Ltd was renamed MEL, a division of Philips Electronics
  • 1952: First year of defence activities for Shorts
  • 1951: Redifon Simulation, a new business, was established by Redifon.
  • 1948: Rediffusion established Redifon (primarily manufacturers of radio communications equipment)
  • 1947: RTE re-named Mullard Equipment Ltd
  • 1942: Decca Navigator Company created
  • 1938: Rediffusion was created.
  • 1937: Avimo Ltd was created; EMI produces the world's first television broadcast system for the BBC.
  • 1935: EMI began development of the first radars in the world; Formation of the RTE company by Mullard in Balham, London.
  • 1928: Decca Gramophone Company was formed.
  • 1918: Compagnie Générale de Télégraphie Sans Fil was created.
  • 1909: W Vinten was founded.
  • 1898: The Gramophone Company established, eventually to become Electrical & Musical Industries (EMI)
  • 1893: Compagnie Franaise Thomson-Houston was created.
  • 1888: Barr & Stroud established

Racal Electronics plc

  • 2000: #Thomson-CSF acquired the Racal group of companies; it was initially rebranded as "Thomson-CSF Racal plc".[January 28, 2003]
  • Oct.1999: Racal Telecom Ltd was sold to Global Crossing Ltd, which was moving to assemble an international telecommunications network.[12]
  • 1999: Racal Telecom split, forming Racal Translink (a projects focussed organisation) and Racal Fieldforce (a maintenance focused organisation).
  • 1998: Racal Defence Electronics was formed from the merger of Racal Radar Defence Systems, Racal Radio and Racal Thorn Wells.
  • 1997: Racal Telecom Ltd was formed from the merger of Racal-BRT with Racal Network Services Ltd. (Not to be confused with Racal Telecom Ltd, formed in 1984.)
  • 1995: Racal-BRT: British Rail Telecommunications Ltd and its telecomms infrastructure were purchased from British Rail. WP:Racal, WP:British Rail Telecommunications

Realising the enormous commercial potential, BR Telecommunications Ltd, created in 1992 to exploit its wayleave rights and to take responsibility for the management and maintenance of the industry's voice, data and radio networks associated with the operational running of the railway and its business needs.

Two companies, Thales Translink and Thales Fieldforce, evolved from Racal Telecom in 1999 and were merged into Thales Telecommunications Services in Apr.2002. TTS provides specialist telecoms services to the UK transport market.

  • 2001: Eircell, the former mobile arm of Eircom, was acquired, enabling Vodafone to enter the Irish market.
  • 2001: Vodafone's rise halted when the dot-com bubble burst, and mobile telecom companies, including Vodafone, overpaid by the $billion for so-called third-generation mobile licences. Vodafone took enormous write-downs on the Mannesmann deal after the dotcom crash, accruing tax losses that will reduce future bills from the German taxman by £2bn.ref
  • Feb.2000: Mannesmann AG of Germany was acquired by Vodafone at the height of the dot-com boom, after a historic takeover battle in one of the largest corporate mergers on record. Mannesmann's telecommunications division was subsequently hived up; the other divisions were resold to various companies shortly after the deal. Mannesmann's origins, the pipe production activities of Mannesmannröhren-Werke AG, were sold to Salzgitter AG, along with the brand name "Mannesmann".ref,ref The Mannesmann merger would turn out to be a pibotal moment for Vodafone, which made it the 2nd-largest in the world. It also provided Vodafone with Germany’s second mobile-phone licence
  • 2000: the remaining defence electronics part of Racal was sold to Thomson-CSF, a French business later renamed Thales.
  • 2000: Racal’s fixed-line telecoms network business was bought by Global Crossing, a USA company. In 2002 Global Crossing filed for bankruptcy protection under the US Chapter 11 rules.
  • Sept.1999: company chiefs signed a deal with Bell Atlantic in the USA to create America's largest wireless business.[13]
  • Jul.1999: Vodafone changed its name to Vodafone AirTouch, as the ever-expanding company took over American mobile firm AirTouch.[13]
  • 1993: Camelot Group plc: Racal was part of the consortium that launched the National Lottery, which included computer company ICL; banknote printer De La Rue, and confectioner Cadbury Holdings Ltd. Racal supplied the communications equipment required to hook up the terminals used by shopkeepers that sold lottery tickets.
  • 1992: Vodafone became the first company to introduce text messages. The first was sent on December 3 that year by an engineer to his colleague, saying: “Merry Christmas”. The recipient had no way of replying.[9]
  • Sept.1991: Vodafone Group plc: Racal Telecom was demerged from Racal Electronics plc, renaming itself and become an independent company, with the other 80% of its shares listed on the Stock Exchange.[13] Vodafone's name came from crunching together voice + data + phone.[14]
  • 1989: Vodafone's parent company, Racal Telecom, was in partnership with BMW, the motor manufacturer, which was keen to supply “car phones” to the executives that drove its vehicles.ref
  • 1987: Vodafone was recognized as the largest mobile network of the world, the very same year Vodata was created as the ‘voice and data’ business to market Vodafone’s voice and mail service.
  • Jan.1985: Vodafone made UK’s first mobile call a few minutes past midnight on Jan.01.1985 from St. Katherine’s Dock to Newbury.
  • Aug.1984: Racal Security: Chubb & Sons Lock & Safe Company Ltd, a security business that manufactured safes and locks, with operations in the USA, Canada, and elsewhere, was acquired (69.8%), after a takeover battle.[15] The purchase made security Racal's single largest activity. Separate lock and safe divisions under the names "Chubb Lock Company" and "Chubb Safe Equipment Company" were set up, each with their own senior management team.
  • 1988: Racal-Chubb Products Ltd: Chubb Lock Company was renamed to reflect an expansion of the range of Chubb-branded security products, which included items such as portable fire extinguishers, security lights and protective clothing. At the same time, plans were set in motion to separate the production and assembly of certain 'special' locks, from the large range of commercial security locks.
  • Sept.1992: Chubb Security plc: the Chubb group of companies were demerged by Racal and floated on the London Stock Exchange. Racal-Chubb Products Ltd was renamed as "Chubb Locks Ltd". // Demerged the business by giving the shares to Racal's shareholders.[October 06, 1992]
  • Feb.1997: Chubb Security plc was acquired by Williams Holdings plc,[16] – referred to by some of Chubb's staff as "The St. Valentines Day Massacre".[17]
  • Dec.2008: Racal Acoustics,OpenCorporates-sm.svg a British manufacturer of combat communications equipment ranging from noise-canceling communication headsets to secure telephone networks for use in active battlefields, was bought by American aerospace and defence giant Esterline Technologies Corporation from private equity firm ECI Partners (75%).[18] Racal Acoustics supplies headsets to 120 branches of the military in more than 80 countries.[19]
    • Aug.2005: Racal Acoustics MBO: ECI Partners (75%) backed a management buyout (25%) of Racal Acoustics Ltd from [JF Lehman & Company], the private equity business of former USA Navy Secretary John Lehman.[18]
    • Mar.2004: Racal Acoustics was sold to JF Lehman & Company Inc by Thales SA.[20]
  • 1984: Racal Telecom Ltd was formed as a subsidiary of Racal Electronics plc.
  • Jul.1982: x: Racal Electronics Group, a subsidiary of Racal Strategic Ltd, won its bid for the private sector UK Cellular license. This enterprise, known as Racal Vodafone, was a joint venture between Racal, Millicom, and Hambros Technology Trust.
  • 1981: Racal Strategic Radio Ltd,OpenCorporates-sm.svg a subsidiary of Racal Electronics, the UK's largest maker of military radio technology, formed a joint venture with Millicom. (evolved into Vodafone.)[6][7][8]
  • 1980: Commercial Mobile Radio: Racal's chairman, Ernest Harrison, agreed with Arnold WeinstockWikipedia-W.svg of the General Electric Company plc to allow Racal to access some of GEC's tactical battlefield radio technology, with a view to driving the company into commercial mobile radio. Later that year, the head of Racal's military radio division, Gerry Whent, visited a General Electric Company (USA) mobile radio factory to understand the commercial use of military radio technology.[14]
  • ?date?: Vadic Corporation, a maker of low- and medium-speed modems, was acquired. Racal also set up two American firms on its own.
  • 1999: Racal Telecom was acquired by the US telecommunications group Global Crossing. Racal Electronics kept the railway-related network businesses in a separate division and the Field workforce which provide maintenance and installation work[October 12, 1999]
  • 1998: Racal Telecom had a nationwide fibre-optic network; the company would make an alliance with Colt Telecom, which had a network in the City of London and some activities in Europe.[July 06, 1998]
  • 1997: Lockheed Martin selected Racal-Thorn Defence to develop and fabricate a radio-frequency countermeasures-techniques generator for use with a Raytheon E-Systems fibre-optic towed decoy to be carried by the British Aerospace Nimrod 2000 maritime-patrol aircraft.[Flight 10 Sept 1997]
  • 1997: Raytheon selected Racal-Thorn of Wells to supply the mission support system for its proposal for the UK armed forces' Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) programme, based on the Bombardier Global Express. [Flight 10 Sept 1997]
  • 1997: Racal indicated it wanted to dispose of the Data Communications division and position Racal Telecom for flotation.[December 12, 1997]
  • 1995: Racal-Thorn Wells: Racal bought the Thorn Sensors Group from Thorn EMI.
  • Oct.1991: Racal Telecom was demerged, forcing a positive valuation on the rest of Racal (colloquially known in the City as "the rump"). Racal Telecom was renamed Vodafone and later became the largest mobile network. Immediately following the demerger, Williams Holdings launched a takeover bid for Racal Electronics. The bid failed.

  • 1991: Plans announced to demerge by giving shares in the company to Racal shareholders. The company included Chubb, Union, Lips and Pyrene.[The Times, November 22, 1991]
  • 1990: Announced plans to demerge Racal-Telecom and a new company, Racal Security, by transferring the shares to shareholders; the rest of Racal Electronics would be subject to a management buy-out led by Sir Ernest Harrison (Racal Chairman) which would remain a public company for an "appropriate time".[November 17, 1990]

  • Oct.1988: Racal Telecommunications Group: Vodafone was packaged together with other Racal companies to form a new company;[July 15, 1988] 20% of Racal Telecom was floated on the London Stock Exchange. This would lead to the situation where Racal Electronics was valued at less than its shareholding in Racal Telecom.
  • Oct.1988: Racal Telecommunications Group plc floated 20% of its share capital on the London Stock Exchange, primarily to stave off any takeover bids.

  • 1987: Various appointments were made to senior positions in Racal Communications Group, Racal Radio and Racal Telecommunications Group, which included Racal-Vodata and Racal-Vodafone.[April 13, 1987]
  • 1985: Racal Telecommunications Group Ltd: Racal Strategic Radio Ltd was renamed.
  • Dec.1982: Racal Telecom managed to get one of only two cellular radio licences awarded by the British Govt to operate a cellular network. The other licence went to Cellnet, a British Telecom/Securicor consortium (later known as O2). But Racal, with support from USA electronics group Millicom and Swedish company Comvik, won the tender.[14]
  • Mar.1982: Racal Electronics plc was re-registered as a public company. OpenCorporates-sm.svg
  • Apr.1980: Racal-Decca: Decca Ltd,OpenCorporates-sm.svg a large holdco of diverse interests, was acquired,[21] after a titanic takeover battle with the General Electric Company plc. Racal wanted Decca primarily for its subsidiaries with expertise in the design, manufacturing and marketing of electronic equipment: the Decca Navigator Company Ltd,OpenCorporates-sm.svg and Decca Radar Ltd.OpenCorporates-sm.svg Analysts believed that Decca's other operations (music, etc) would give Racal indigestion.
    • 1979: Racal-Decca Marine: Decca Radar Ltd was acquired for its expertise in defense radar, avionics, electronic defence and marine and survey electronics systems. Decca Radar was later renamed as "Racal-Decca Marine".
  • early.1977: Racal-Milgo Ltd, (aka Racal Vadic): after a closely-contested bidding war, Racal succeeded in acquiring Milgo Electronic Corporation's shareholding. Racal promptly did some house-cleaning, which involved five executives leaving.
  • Jul.1972 Racal Acoustics Ltd was formed when SG Brown's Communications division was acquired by Racal Electronics from the Hawker Siddeley Group Ltd,[22] and merged with Amplivox Ltd. SG Brown Ltd, a maker of headphones and microphones mainly for military radios, was founded in 1910 in Watford.
  • Jul.1971: Amplivox Ltd,OpenCorporates-sm.svgOpenCorporates-sm.svg a hearing aid specialist, was acquired.[23] Amplivox Ltd was formed in 1935, in Wembley. amplivox.ltd.uk
  • 1969: Airmec-AEI was sold by Racal Instruments Ltd to Plessey Company plc, giving Plessey ~57% control of Britain's numerican control buiness. Airmec Instruments remained a part of Racal Instruments Ltd.[24]
  • Jan.1969: Controls & Communications Ltd was acquired, which included its subsidiaries Airmec Ltd,[25] British Communications Corporation and Southampton-based Thermionic Products (Electronics).
  • Aug.1968: Racal-Milgo Ltd was formed as a joint venture with USA company Milgo Electronic Corporation, to manufacture and market Milgo data modems.[26] The JV was Racal's first steps into the data communications industry, paving the way for a strengthened USA presence.
  • May.1964: Flag-USA.svg Flag-Australia.svg Racal Electronics plc entered the television transmission business in the UK. Additionally, a North American subsidiary was formed in the USA with a view to starting production of the group's better-known products.[27]
  • Oct.1961: Racal Electronics plc floated on the Stock Exchange.[28]

Racal Electronics Ltd

  • 1955: RA17 Radio Receiver: Racal Instruments Ltd won a Royal Navy contract to build and supply a variant of the American Collins Model 51-J Radio Receiver, but Collins Inc did not grant them a licence to build the sets. The instruments therefore had to be designed and built from scratch, which nearly bankrupted the company.ref In production from 1955-1973, and designed in co-operation with Trevor WadleyWikipedia-W.svg, using his Wadley LoopWikipedia-W.svg circuit.ref
  • 1954: Racal moved from Isleworth, West London, to Bracknell, Berkshire, enticed by a 99-year lease at four shillings and sixpence per square foot – and no rent reviews.ref
  • Nov.1951: Racal Aerotronics Ltd (later, Racal Instruments Ltd) was established as a subsidiary to build equipment for electronics instrumentation. Focus was on high frequency radio communications equipment. OpenCorporates-sm.svg
  • Jun.1951: Racal Electronics Ltd,OpenCorporates-sm.svg previously Racal Engineering Ltd, was registered to supply electronic equipment; Racal Ltd became a wholly-owned subsidiary.[28]
  • 1950: Racal Ltd was established as a consulting service for the planning of radio communications systems.[28] Its name was derived from Raymond Brown and George Calder Cunningham, its founding partners.ref

Logos: Racal img in The Times, 1980, Chubb img in The Times, 1984,

Additional Sources: Vodafone TheOriginOf.com, Apr.15.2009. Original archived on Jan.06.2016.

Racal Electronics plc History Funding Universe. Accessed Dec.16.2020. ♦

Control & Communications Ltd
  • Jan.1969: Racal made an offer which was accepted.
  • 1967: Vectron Electronics Ltd and Truvox Ltd were acquired.
  • 1967: Airmec-AEI Ltd: Controls & Communications Ltd established a joint venture with Associated Electrical Industries (AEI), which brought together the partners's numerical control and systems interests. Products will be sold under the trade names Autoset, Axiamatic and Plan-E-Trol.[29][Oct.18.1967: logo, check AR]
  • ... ...
  • 1966: British Communications Corporation Ltd received an order from the British Army to supply Manpack radios.
  • 1962: Controls & Communications Ltd: Radio & Television Trust Ltd changed its name.OpenCorporates-sm.svg It had the following subsidiaries: Airmec Ltd; British Communications Corporation Ltd (acquired from DD Prenn); Thermionic Products (Electronics) Ltd.
  • Jan.1960: British Communications Corporation Ltd was acquired.[30]
  • 1959: Radio & Television Trust Ltd: DD Prenn acquired a controlling interest. The plan was to transfer British Communications Corporation Ltd to Radio & Television Trust because of the close correspondence of its business with that of Airmec International Sales, Radio & Television Trust's export division.
  • 1958: "Radio & Television Trust Ltd is a subsidiary of Crompton Parkinson Ltd."Dec.01.1958
  • ?date?: Airmec Ltd was acquired. Developed and manufactured electronic test gear and electronic equipment for industrial purposes.xxx
  • 1933: DD Prenn arrived in the UK from Russia. He set up a number of electrical companies, including Rola Celestion Ltd, a large loudspeaker manufacturer, and British Communications Corporation Ltd.OpenCorporates-sm.svg (Sept.1946).

References

  1. ^ a b The SIPRI Top 100 arms-producing and military services companies, 2017. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Dec.2018.
  2. ^ 2018 Order Intake and Sales. Press Release, Thales SA. Accessed Jan.28.2018.
  3. ^ Markets brace themselves for tidal wave of cash from Vodafone payout. Nic Fildes, The Times, Feb.20.2014.
  4. ^ Vodafone sells Verizon stake for $130bn. BBC News, Sept.02.2013.
  5. ^ Vodafone's Project Spring to pressure competitors. Leila Abboid, Paul Sandle, Reuters, Sept.03.2013.
  6. ^ Vittorio Colao heralds new chapter at richer but reduced Vodafone. Nic Fildes, Juliet Samuel, The Times, Sept.03.2013.
  7. ^ Clark on Monday: Vodafone can enjoy its peace dividend. Clark on Monday, The Times, Jan.27.2014.
  8. ^ Mobile giant needs to ring the changes. The Sunday Times, Mar.26.2006.
  9. ^ a b Share of the Week: Vodafone. David Byers, The Times, Nov.18.2017.
  10. ^ The mobile phone comes of age, 30 years on. Nic Fildes, The Times, Dec.27.2014.
  11. ^ Thomson-CSF seals Racal deal. BBC News, Jan.13.2000.
  12. ^ Global Crossing Will Purchase Racal Telecom for $1.01 Billion. William Boston, The Wall Street Journal, Oct.12.1999.
  13. ^ a b c The rapid rise of Vodafone. BBC News, Feb.04.2000.
  14. ^ a b c Sir Ernest Harrison: chairman of Racal Electronics. The Times, Feb.18.2009.
  15. ^ Racal locks up Chubb. The Times Archive, Oct.19.1984.
  16. ^ Williams of Britain To Buy Chubb Security. Associated Press, The New York Times, Feb.15.1997.
  17. ^ Chubb - A Brief History. PJ Gunn, Chubb Archive, 2003-2004. Original archived on May.21.2004.
  18. ^ a b Racal Acoustics sold to US defence group Lily Peel, The Times, Dec.24.2008.
  19. ^ Racal Acoustics management make £13m from sale. Rupert Neate, The Telegraph, Dec.23.2008.
  20. ^ J.F. Lehman & Company Realizes Successful Racal Acoustics Investment. JF Lehman & Company Inc. Original archived on Dec.18.2020.
  21. ^ Racal. A powerful international force in world electronics. The Times Archive, Aug.13.1980.
  22. ^ Racal-Hawker swop. The Times Archive, Jul.19.1972.
  23. ^ Racal profits exceed £2,000,000. The Times Archive, Jul.19.1971.
  24. ^ Plessey seeks Airmec. The Times Archive, Oct.02.1969.
  25. ^ Generous bid for Control. page 20, The Times Archive, Jan.07.1969.
  26. ^ Racal forms a UK base. The Times Archive, Aug.20.1968.
  27. ^ Racal Electronics Expands. The Times Archive, May.25.2964.
  28. ^ a b c Racal Electronics Ltd. The Times Archive, Nov.06.1961.
  29. ^ AEI in joint venture. The Times Archive, Aug.26.1967.
  30. ^ Radio & Television Trust. Expansion of business continues. The Times Archive, Oct.24.1960.