- Cobham Technical Services
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Cobham Technical Services (the trading name of Cobham CTS Ltd) is a UK-based technology organisation with a history dating back to 1920. Its primary business comprises three distinct business streams, focused on delivery of leading-edge technologies and services for aerospace, defence, security and commercial applications. These include niche products for terrestrial and satellite communications, navigation and sensor applications; technical services and specialised systems for high-voltage and lightning testing; and industry-leading electromagnetic and multi-physics simulation software products.
Contents
History
The history of Cobham Technical Services dates back to 1920 with the incorporation of “The British Electrical and Allied Industries Research Association”, which became generally known as “The Electrical Research Association”, or “ERA”. Initially, ERA’s funding came jointly from government, through the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, from industry, and from the subscriptions of member companies.
Prior to ERA, there had been no real facility for co-operative electrical research in the UK, although some research was carried out by a few manufacturers, suppliers and larger users of electricity. ERA filled the recognised gap in the organisation of the industry, by supplying research and technology innovation.
During the 1939-1945 war, direct assistance to the war effort was given by ERA, having been recognised by the Ministry of Labour in 1941 as an 'essential undertaking'. Activities during the war included working on the development of radar and mine detection equipment.
Major new laboratories and offices were opened in Leatherhead, Surrey in 1957 which have remained the principal location of the organisation ever since. Development on the 15-acre campus site has continued to the present day with the addition of several large purpose-built facilities.
Privatisation
Until the late 1960s, ERA had derived much of its income from member company subscriptions and UK government grants. After 1969 ERA began reorganising its mode of operation to reflect the rapidly changing technology base within the industries it served. This enabled the company to derive income from single client and multi-client projects. ERA became the first 'privatised' research association.
In September 1979 ERA formally changed its name from The Electrical Research Association Ltd to ERA Technology Ltd.
During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s ERA continued to grow and develop into new research areas, including RF technology and electronic systems. It also expanded into providing a wide range of engineering consultancy services for mechanical as well as electronic and electrical systems. In doing so it established itself as one of Britain's leading independent consulting organisations at the leading edge of technology development.
In January 2001, the entire organisation was transferred to a new trading company, limited by shares. The original company, still limited by guarantee, was renamed The ERA Foundation. The trading operation, retaining the name ERA Technology, was run as a wholly commercial enterprise, responsible to its shareholders.
Cobham plc
In September 2003, the company announced[1] the agreement to sell the entire issued share capital of ERA Technology to Cobham plc.
In March 2009, ERA Technology, Culham Lightning and Vector Fields assumed[2][3] the collective trading name Cobham Technical Services as part of a Group wide rebranding programme by FTSE 100 parent company Cobham plc.
In March 2011, Cobham plc completed the divestment of the engineering consultancy group of Cobham Technical Services to edif Group [4], which took the legal entity name “ERA Technology Ltd”. The retained Cobham business continues to trade as Cobham Technical Services but has changed its legal entity name to Cobham CTS Ltd and comprises:
- Antenna and Electronic Systems (Leatherhead, UK): advanced products and state-of-the-art technologies for terrestrial and satellite communications, navigation and radar systems.
- Vector Fields Software (Kidlington, UK): 2D and 3D electromagnetic modelling software products, Concerto and Opera.
- Lightning Testing & Consultancy (Abingdon, UK): aerospace and infrastructure lightning testing and R&D in associated technologies.
In the news
- ERA's Ground Penetrating Radar used to discover buried victims of serial killer Peter Tobin -[6]
Awards
- Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award 2010 - Finalist[7]
References
- ^ Chelton to acquire ERA Technology http://www.engineeringtalk.com, 12 Sep 2003
- ^ EM Software Firm Rebranded http://www.interferencetechnology.com, 26 Mar 2009
- ^ Cobham evolution http://www.theengineer.co.uk, 24 Mar 2009
- ^ Cobham press release: Cobham Divests UK Engineering Consultancy Group 21 February 2011
- ^ Some corner of an English field: Nine bodies found, one man charged with eight murders. The police began to dig in a Gloucester garden 18 days ago. This week they move to a Herefordshire field. Cal McCrystal narrates the sensational case that has changed old perceptions of Middle England http://www.independent.co.uk, 13 March 1994
- ^ Scanning for underground secrets http://news.bbc.co.uk, 20 November 2007
- ^ MacRobert Award 2010 http://www.raeng.org.uk, 10 May 2010
External links
Categories:- Companies established in 1920
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