Ultra Electronics Holdings is a British defence and security company. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index until it was acquired by Cobham, which is itself owned by Advent International. The company was originally founded as Edward E. Rosen & Co., a manufacturer of headphones and loudspeakers, in 1920. In 1925, a new company, known as Ultra Electric Ltd., was established. During 1930, the firm launched its first all-electric radio receiver; it produced numerous domestic radio receivers around this time. Ultra diversified into aviation during the Second World War, building fuselage elements and engine components. Relaunching itself into the civilian markets following the conflict, Ultra started producing television sets in 1953. In 1961, Ultra's consumer electronics interests became part of Thorn Electrical Industries. During 1977, Ultra Electronics was bought by the Dowty Group and regained its independence via a management buyout in 1993. Into the twenty-first century, it has continued to be an active supplier to the aerospace sector; various companies, including Bombardier Aerospace and Airbus, have chosen to incorporate Ultra Electronics' noise reduction and vibration dampening products onto their aircraft. By 2005, Ultra Electronics was ranked as the 66th biggest aerospace company in the world. In August 2021, the British aerospace and defence company, Cobham, agreed to acquire Ultra Electronics in exchange for £2.6 billion.
History
Founding to 1945: Early activities
The company that would eventually become Ultra Electronics was started by wireless specialist Teddy Rosen as Edward E. Rosen & Co. during 1920. The firm was initially focused upon the manufacture of high quality headphones and loudspeakers. During 1923, the company relocated to new premises at Harrow Road, London. In 1925, a new company, known as Ultra Electric Ltd., was formed; the Ultra name had been previously used for one of its products, the first commercial moving iron loudspeaker. During 1930, Ultra launched its first all-electric radio receiver. During 1931, the firm introduced its first mains-powered wireless set, known as the Ultra Twin Cub. That same year, Ultra received its first order from the aviation industry, having been placed by the Japanese Kawasaki Company. As a result of further expansion, the company moved to larger premises at Erskine Road, Chalk Farm, NW3 in 1932; three years later, a new 150,000 sq ft (14,000 m2) factory at Western Avenue, Acton. During the 1930s, Ultra manufactured a wide range of domestic radio receivers including the Blue Fox, Lynx, Panther and Tiger models. In 1939, the company presented a television receiver to the market for the BBC High Definition Television Service which was transmitted on 405 lines from the studios at Alexandra Palace, north London. During the Second World War, Ultra diversified into aviation; the Short Stirling was the first aircraft to incorporate their products, the company acting as a subcontractor to produce tails and bomb doors for the bomber. Ultra would produce a wide range of aerostructures for numerous aircraft throughout the conflict. The firm solely focused on wartime demands, only relaunching itself into the civilian market during 1947, although it would continue to have an interest in the military sector during the post-war period.
1945–1977: Post-war growth Ultra continued to manufacture products for the aviation industry after the conflict. Various engines, including the Armstrong Siddeley Mamba and the Rolls-Royce Avon, incorporated components such as temperature regulators, fuel flow valves, and throttle controls produced by Ultra. Electronic control systems would become a key part of the company's product range. In 1953, Ultra started manufacturing television sets. During 1956, the firm opened a new factory at Gosport for the production of both televisions and radio sets; Ultra acquired rival company Pilot Radio & Television in 1959. During the following year, Ultra reorganised itself, splitting into two divisions, one specialising in domestic radio and television and the other focused on all other electronic products. In 1961, Ultra's consumer electronics interests became part of Thorn Electrical Industries, who continued to manufacture products using the Ultra brandname until 1974. As a result of the acquisition, the remainder of the company became Ultra Electronics Ltd. Amongst its varied product range at this time, it produced the "Jezebel" and "Mini-Jezebel" sonobuoys. In 1962, Ultra developed their Search and Rescue and Homing (SARAH) radio beacon, this would be widely used throughout the world. Various subsystems of Concorde, include the droop nose controls and the full authority engine controls, incorporated Ultra technologies. During 1977, Ultra Electronics was bought by the Dowty Group.
1977–1993: Under Dowty ownership After its acquisition, Ultra Electronics was absorbed into Dowty's Electronics Division. During the 1980s, the business appears to have continued to grow under the Dowty ownership, with increasing strengths in maritime products such as stealth and anti-submarine programmes, as noted in the 1987 press release accompanying the acquisition of Woodville Polymer Engineering, whose products were used by the Royal Navy in maritime stealth applications. By 1992, its annual revenues had grown substantially to over £150 million and it formed one of four divisions within Dowty Group, alongside Aerospace, Polymer Engineering and Information Technology divisions.
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