Charter International

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charter International plc
Company typePublic (LSECHTR)
IndustryEngineering
Founded1965
HeadquartersLondon, 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]
ParentColfax Corporation
Websitewww.charter.ie

Charter International plc was a large British engineering business based in London. It was acquired by Colfax Corporation in January 2012.

History[edit]

The British South Africa Company was founded in 1889 by Royal Charter.[2] On the initiative of Anglo American Corporation it merged in 1965 with The Central Mining & Investment Corporation and The Consolidated Mines Selection Company to form Charter Consolidated.[2] Slightly over one-third of the shares of the new company were owned by Anglo American Corporation.[2] Its assets were mainly mining investments and its strategy was to develop as a mining finance house actively engaged in mineral exploration and the development of mines throughout the world.[2]

In the 1980s Charter Consolidated 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, Charter International plc.[5]

The company was acquired by Colfax Corporation, an American company, in January 2012.[6]

Operations[edit]

The company had two main businesses:

  • ESAB: welding, cutting and automation
  • Howden: air and gas handling

References[edit]

External links[edit]