Keywords
Citation
(2005), "Oxford Instruments strengthens its leadership of the microanalysis market", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 57 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.2005.01857eab.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Oxford Instruments strengthens its leadership of the microanalysis market
Oxford Instruments strengthens its leadership of the microanalysis market
Keywords: Oxford Instruments, HKL Technology A/S
Oxford Instruments plc. (“Oxford Instruments”, the “Company”), the advanced instrumentation company, announces today that it is has agreed to acquire HKL Technology A/S (HKL), a leading manufacturer of Electron BackScatter Diffraction (EBSD) systems, based in Hobro, Denmark. HKL will become part of the Oxford Instruments Analytical (OIA) business.
HKL, led by Niels-Henrik Schmidt, will provide Oxford Instruments with a world-class development team and considerable expertise in EBSD product technology. Oxford Instruments' global sales and service infrastructure will fully exploit HKL's capabilities, adding a significant competitive advantage that will give OIA's microanalysis suite of systems a market leading position.
EBSD is used to produce a microstructural analysis of a material. This information can be used to predict the properties such as corrosion behaviour, creep, fatigue life, cracking and failure mechanism. It is used in a wide variety of industries – aerospace, automotive, defence, semiconductors, power plants, and chemical plants. It is used, for example, in failure analysis, to check that engine components are protected from corrosive environments that can cause fatigue and cracking. Its use minimises material wastage and maintenance costs, and maximises durability and safety.
Nigel Keen, Chairman of Oxford Instruments said, “Following the recent successful integration of the Metorex acquisition into our Analytical business, the acquisition of HKL continues our drive to deliver the high calibre products and services demanded by our customers”. The combination of HKL's leading technology and Oxford Instruments' strength in the microanalysis market is expected to lead to significant growth opportunities for both businesses.