Charter International
 |
|
| Public (LSE: CHTR) | |
| Industry | Engineering |
| Founded | 1889 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
|
Key people
|
Lars Emilson, Chairman Michael Foster, CEO |
| Revenue | £1,719.6 million (2010)[1] |
| £145.9 million (2010)[1] | |
| £118.9 million (2010)[1] | |
|
Number of employees
|
12,313 (2010)[1] |
| Parent | Colfax Corporation |
| Website | www.charter.ie |
Charter International plc was a large British engineering business based in London. It was acquired by Colfax Corporation in January 2012.
History
The business was founded as the British South Africa Company in 1889 by Royal Charter.[2]
In 1965 The British South Africa Company merged with The Central Mining & Investment Corporation and The Consolidated Mines Selection Company to form Charter Consolidated.[2]
In the 1980s the company disposed of its overseas mining concerns to concentrate on its British engineering interests.[2]
In 1993 the company's name changed to Charter plc.[2]
In 1994 it acquired ESAB[3] and in 1997 it acquired Howden.[4]
In 2008 the business was restructured with the creation of a new Irish resident holding company known as "Charter International plc".[5]
The company was acquired by Colfax Corporation in January 2012.[6]
Operations
The company had two main businesses:
- ESAB: welding, cutting and automation
- Howden: air and gas handling
