History

Switching and Sensing Solutions

Company History

Polaron Sensor Division

Nelco Holdings Limited was established.
They manufactured electric motors for invalid carriages.

During World War 11, Nelco began to manufacture release motors for military use

Engel & Gibbs Ltd was established.
Their main business was the manufacture of gyro switches for Admiralty use.

Nelco began manufacturing mechanical handling products for forklift trucks.

The company began manufacturing adjustable thermometers, mercury relays and mini-dry contact relays and supplied Military customers.

Electro Mechanisms (EM) was formed.
EM manufactured highly reliable medium and high-pressure transducers for demanding environments using strain gauge technology.

Continued growth in the 1950's allowed the company to expand their product range to include Electrolytic Sensors and Sub-miniature Lamps for the Aerospace Industry.

Schaevitz Engineering of New Jersey, U.S.A. formed an association with EM. The ‘Schaevitz’ name was included in the company livery in 1977. By this time the company was manufacturing transducers in a modular construction making them ideal for customizing to specific requirements.

Nelco started to build motors for medical & scientific equipment.

Nelco Holdings acquired British Vacuum Cleaners.
As well as manufacturing motors for vacuum cleaners, they manufactured motors for use in the aerospace industry.

Lucas acquired the business. They introduced best-in-class manufacturing practices and Total Quality Management. The Company grew significantly during the next 10 years.

Polaron Engineering Ltd acquired Engel & Gibbs.
The company continued to trade under the original name.

Polaron Engineering Ltd acquired Mercury Switch Manufacturing (MSM).
Engel & Gibbs took over the manufacturing of their Metal Can Sensors and Mercury Switches. The switches and sensors are still manufactured today and used in a wide range of installations from Heart Pacemakers to Underground Trains.

Polaron acquired the Special Lamps Division of the General Electric Company (GEC).
Polaron Special Lamps was formed and became a division of Engel & Gibbs, offering a range of secondary standards for Radiation of Photometric Measurements.

The Polaron Group acquired Nelco
The business was renamed Nelco Systems Ltd

Nelco designed a world beating brushless motor and drive system for high velocity machining applications.

TRW acquired Lucas. TRW decided to divest the Lucas Schaevitz operation.

Measurement Specialties Inc. (MSI) purchased the company.

Polaron reorganised business units into Components and Systems divisions.
The Polaron Components Group was formed via a merger of Engel & Gibbs and Nelco's commutator and motor products.

Polaron Schaevitz Ltd was formed.
Polaron Engineering Ltd acquired the Schaevitz Pressure Sensor business from MSI (UK) and created the new company to operate the business. By 23rd July 2002 the move of the Schaevitz operation to Polaron’s site in Watford was completed.

Polaron Components Ltd was formed