Chemring from 2010 to date

2021

Chemring acquired Cubica Technology Limited (“Cubica”) and Q6 Holdings Limited (“Q6”) in June 2021. Based in Woking, Surrey, UK, Cubica is a research and development company specialising in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data fusion and autonomy. Q6 is the majority shareholder of Vigil AI Limited (“Vigil AI”), which has technology providing state-of-the-art solutions to enable online platforms to detect imagery relating to child sexual exploitation globally.  The acquisition created further opportunities for Chemring to enhance and further accelerate growth in its Roke business.

2020

Chemring announced the completion of the sale of US subsidiary Chemring Ordnance, Inc. to Nammo Defense Systems Inc. in May, following the conditional agreement entered into in November 2019. This sale completed the Group’s exit from its commoditised energetics businesses.

2019

Chemring announced in November that a conditional agreement had been entered into for the sale of its US subsidiary, Chemring Ordnance, Inc. to Nammo Defense Systems Inc. The sale was subject to regulatory approval by the US authorities.

In June Chemring disposed of its military pyrotechnics business Chemring Defence UK Limited to PWD Group Limited. 

In April Chemring completed the sale of its military trading business Chemring Military Products Inc. based in Tampa Florida, to Global Ordnance LLC. 

2018

Chemring sold 3d-Radar.

2015

Chemring reached an agreement with Esterline to buy patents, equipment, stock and selected contracts relating to the countermeasures business of Esterline’s UK-based subsidiary, Wallop Defence Systems.

2011

Chemring acquired General Dynamics Detection Systems' operations, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, in July 2011. The business, which is now part of Chemring Sensors & Electronic Systems, Inc., is a US leader in chemical and biological threat detection and has an advanced capability in stand-off detection of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

2016

Chemring completed the acquisition of key assets and technology from Esterline’s UK-based subsidiary, Wallop Defence Systems, in May 2016. This further strengthened the air countermeasures portfolio and positioning, particularly in the European market.

2014

Chemring acquired 3d-Radar AS, a subsidiary of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, in May 2014. 3d-Radar, based in Trondheim, Norway, is a leading developer of commercial three-dimensional (3D) ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology. The business was subsequently sold in 2018.

Chemring sold the Technical Ordnance business Chemring Defence Germany, Simmel Difesa, and Mecar.

2010

Chemring acquired Mecar SPRL, based in Nivelles, Belgium, a manufacturer of medium and large calibre ammunition, and the business and assets of Mecar USA Inc., based in Marshall, Texas in September 2010. We subsequently sold the business in 2014.

Chemring acquired Roke Manor Research Limited ("Roke"), based in Romsey, UK, in September 2010. Roke is a world-class technology company that provides electronics research, development and engineering services, and cyber-security solutions for UK government agencies and prime contractors.

Chemring in the noughties

2009

Chemring acquired Hi-Shear Technology Corporation ("Hi-Shear") in November 2009.

Hi-Shear is now part of Chemring Energetic Devices, Inc., and is a leading manufacturer of high reliability energetic solutions that perform critical functions in key US space and defence programmes, including satellites, space launch vehicles, missile defence and aircrew egress.

2007

Chemring acquired Simmel Difesa S.p.A., a manufacturer of naval ammunition, in March 2007. We subsequently sold this business in 2014.

Chemring acquired the High Energy Materials business of Dyno Nobel ASA, a subsidiary of Orica Limited, in June 2007. Chemring Nobel AS in Norway manufactures and supplies RDX, HMX and other niche energetic materials for explosives and propellant applications.

Chemring acquired Richmond Electronics & Engineering Limited in November 2007. The business, which is now part of Chemring Technology Solutions Limited, is a leading manufacturer of disruptors and other equipment for the safe neutralisation of improved explosive devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance.

2005

Chemring extended its technical capabilities in the field of energetic materials by targeted acquisitions.

Chemring acquired Nobel Energetics Limited, now called Chemring Energetics UK Limited ("CEUK"), from Inabata UK Limited, Mr Michael Parker and Mr Charles Tuchel in September 2005. CEUK, based in Ardeer, Scotland, manufactures and supplies a range of pyrotechnic and propellant devices, rocket motors and demolition stores.

Chemring acquired Comet GmbH, Pyrotechnik-Apparatebau (subsequently renamed Chemring Defence Germany GmbH), a subsidiary of Diehl Stiftung & Co KG, in November 2005. In 2014, we sold the business that manufactured and supplied a range of military and marine pyrotechnics.

2008

Chemring acquired Titan Dynamics Systems, Inc. ("Titan") from The Allied Defense Group, Inc. in March 2008. The Titan business is now part of Chemring Ordnance, Inc.

Chemring acquired Scot, Inc. (now called Chemring Energetic Devices, Inc. "CED") from SMS Industries, Inc. in July 2008. CED, based in Downers Grove, Illinois, USA, is a leading manufacturer of cartridge-actuated and propellant-actuated devices (CAD/PADs) used in aircraft emergency systems and for aircrew egress. CED also now includes the Hi-Shear business, which we acquired in 2009.

Chemring acquired Martin Electronics, Inc. (now called Chemring Ordnance, Inc. "COR") in August 2008. COR, based in Perry, Florida, is a specialist manufacturer of ammunition, fuzes, signalling and other pyrotechnically activated devices for use in the defence sector.

Chemring acquired Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, Inc. (now called Chemring Sensors & Electronic Systems, Inc. "CSES") in December 2008. CSES, based in Virginia and North Carolina, USA, is a leading developer of robot and vehicle-mounted mine detection systems incorporating its advanced ground penetrating radar (GPR) and metal detection technologies.

2006

Chemring acquired Leafield Engineering Limited ("Leafield Engineering") in January 2006, Technical Ordnance, Inc. ("Technical Ordnance") in March 2006, and B.D.L. Systems Limited ("BDL") in September 2006.

Leafield Engineering is now part of Chemring Energetics UK Limited, and BDL is part of Chemring Technology Solutions Limited. We sold the Technical Ordnance business in 2014.

2001

Chemring acquired Kilgore Flares Company, LLC, making the Group the largest provider of decoys to the US Department of Defense.

Chemring in the twentieth century

1993

Chemring established a presence in the United States with its first US acquisition, Alloy Surfaces Company, Inc.

1991

Chemring rapidly increased production of countermeasures in support of the US-led coalition in the first Gulf War.

1982

The Falklands war was a significant event. It highlighted a major threat to the British fleet from sea-skimming missiles. Within weeks, Chemring opened a new factory to produce aluminium glass chaff decoys against this threat.

1905

30 November 1905, Chemring began life, formerly as the British Foreign & Colonial Automatic Light Controlling Company Limited.

1992

The company acquired Haley & Weller, now called Chemring Defence UK Limited. This resulted in Chemring supplying the majority of the UK Ministry of Defence’s countermeasure and military pyrotechnic needs.

1986

Chemring acquired pyrotechnics specialists Pains Wessex, now called Chemring Countermeasures Limited, and moved into IR decoys.

1950s

Chemring had an enhanced process for silver coating nylon filaments and lightweight radar reflectors used on Meteorological Office balloons to measure wind speed.

The Royal Swedish Air Board and the UK Ministry of Defence became interested in the coated filaments for use as chaff as a radar decoy.