Skip to main content

Renishaw completes acquisition of laser measurement specialists MDL

Global engineering technology firm Reinshaw now has full ownership of UK-based Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL), following the purchase of an outstanding 34% shareholding for US$7.07 million (£4.5mn). The acquisition of the shares concludes an agreement reached in 2010, when Renishaw purchased an initial 29% stake in MDL, the designers and manufacturers of high speed laser measurement and surveying systems for use in extreme conditions. Steve Ball, the founder of MDL, will be leaving the company, whilst Elaine
February 5, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Global engineering technology firm Reinshaw now has full ownership of UK-based 6239 Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL), following the purchase of an outstanding 34% shareholding for US$7.07 million (£4.5mn). The acquisition of the shares concludes an agreement reached in 2010, when Renishaw purchased an initial 29% stake in MDL, the designers and manufacturers of high speed laser measurement and surveying systems for use in extreme conditions.

Steve Ball, the founder of MDL, will be leaving the company, whilst Elaine Ball, MDL’s managing director, will report to Renishaw through Will Lee, director and general manager of Renishaw’s laser & calibration products division.

Ben Taylor, Renishaw’s assistant chief executive, said: “We see significant opportunities in the fields in which MDL operates and we are working hard to develop new measurement products based on our combined experience, to leverage our global sales and marketing networks, and to integrate our in-house design and manufacturing capabilities.”

MDL’s managing director, Elaine Ball, added: “We are now entering an exciting new phase in MDL’s 30-year history, and with the backing of the Renishaw Group we are very confident of continuing to expand in the global market for laser surveying and scanning measurement products.”

Established in 1983, MDL supplies a range of laser-based, time-of-flight measurement systems used in a wide range of applications worldwide in quarrying, mining, marine positioning, aviation, civil engineering and traffic control. In December 2012, to meet rising demand for its products, the company took occupancy of a new $4.71 million (£3mn) 1,858m² premises adjacent to its headquarters in York, northern England.

The company currently has around 70 staff at York and also has staff at offices in Scotland, Canada, Australia and the U.S.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New JCB World Logistics plant opens
    February 12, 2014
    JCB Chief Executive Graeme Macdonald has officially opened the company’s newest facility in Staffordshire, which has created almost 100 new jobs in just six months. JCB World Logistics took over the former 35,581m² Blue Planet warehouse in Newcastle-under-Lyme in July 2013 and since then almost 80 new warehouse and office staff and 20 drivers have been recruited. In the next two years employment levels are expected to triple to more than 300 as the facility becomes fully operational.
  • Strong investment growth in the world’s highways was a key driver in John Deere and Wirtgen coming together
    December 21, 2017
    John Deere’s recent acquisition of the Wirtgen Group was driven by the way in which two leading equipment manufacturers could come together with no product overlap and target strong investment growth in the world’s highways sector
  • A Long Relationship continues
    March 4, 2025

    Huyton Asphalt Ltd. has a unique place in the history of ABG Pavers and something we believe to be unique in the world.

    The Company has purchased many of each models over the years. In fact, it is the only known company in the world to still own and operate every wheeled paver manufactured by ABG in Hameln over the last 25 years. Testimony to both the robust build of the brand but also the care that Huyton Asphalt take care of their fleet.

  • AEM names Charlie O’Brien as its new senior vice president
    January 11, 2013
    The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) in the United States has named Charlie O’Brien as senior vice president. The appointment is said by the AEM to be in recognition of his increased leadership role for the association. These include activities under AEM’s new strategic plan, initiated in 2012, to better serve all members’ current and future business-development needs.