Spin-out integrates into precision Industrial Measurement Group

Oxsensis, a Science and Technologies Facilities Council’s (STFC) spin-out based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory’s Harwell Campus, has become part of the WIKA Group, a global market leader in high-precision instruments for industrial measurements, such as pressure and temperature.

Since its founding in 2003 and backed by funding from the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund, Oxsensis has pioneered a ‘new breed’ of highly accurate, highly stable optical sensors for use across a range of industries including aerospace, power generation oil and gas, with partnerships having been formed with international companies such as Rolls-Royce, GE Aviation, Parker Aviation and Airbus.

Franz-Josef Vogel, Executive Vice President, WIKA, said: “Oxsensis is offering a highly attractive technology which is scalable to a wide range of industrial applications. As we acquire excellent knowhow and experienced staff our plan is to keep and develop the Harwell site as the centre of our optical sensing activities.”

Dr Elizabeth Kirby, Director of Innovation at STFC, commented: “Oxsensis’ journey from STFC spin-out by world market-leader WIKA is excellent news for this pioneering company. It is also a perfect example of how STFC’s world leading technology teamed with the right business support in the early days and being part of the EnergyTec Cluster on the Harwell research and innovation campus can help a company flourish.

“I look forward to seeing it continue to grow and develop world-leading technologies in this next, exciting step in its journey.”

Ian Macafee, CEO at Oxsensis, said: “This new chapter for Oxsensis is built on many years of innovation and persistence, tackling some of the hardest energy-intensive systems challenges that exist.

“Our technology is well placed to contribute to the Energy Transition in Power generation, aerospace and to enable competitive, leading products in our new industrial markets.”

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