This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
business success 17


Focus on air quality signals healthy future for SGX Sensortech


Unless we happen to be in the middle of a polluted city, the chances are that most of the time we take the quality of the air we breathe for granted. One company is now set to change all that, writes Alison Dewar of The Business Magazine. Newly-formed SGX Sensortech is leading the way in developing a new generation of sensors aimed at improving air quality at home, on the move and in the working environment


“During our lifetime, the average person eats about 25 tons of food and drinks about 50 tons of liquid, but they breathe around 200 tons of air,“ said CEO Dr Graham Hine. “Only now are we beginning to realise that the quality of the air we breathe has a huge effect on our health. For example if you are driving through a city then the fumes could include toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. SGX products prevent these harmful gases entering the cabin of your car.


“In our homes, carbon monoxide can be present and has become known as the silent killer because people don’t realise it is there unless they have a detector. At work, or places such as hospitals, the quality of the air may include volatile organic compounds which affect our wellbeing.


“These issues are now being recognised and our increasing health consciousness is driving growth in our markets.“


SGX Sensortech took shape after a £15 million deal which saw the acquisition of the instrumentation solutions arm of e2v technologies, a global provider of high-performance systems and equipment.


The business manufactures sensors at three locations. SGX environmental monitoring gas sensors are made in Neuchatel, Switzerland; SGX industrial gas sensors are made in Chelmsford, Essex and SGX materials analysis X-Ray sensors are made in High Wycombe.


The move has put SGX Sensortech at the forefront of the market in innovative sensor and detector devices. With a broad customer base across Europe, the Americas and Asia, its product range also includes sensors for detecting explosive, toxic and polluting gases, and X-ray sensors for elemental analysis.


In the automotive market, the company is working with most of the leading car manufacturers to incorporate ever more sophisticated Air Quality Sensors (AQS) into new car designs. The sensors, which improve in-car air quality by preventing harmful gases such as petrol and diesel fumes entering the cabin, help ensure drivers and passengers do not suffer long term health issues. Already 10%* of cars have them fitted, and the percentage is growing rapidly.


Dr Graham Hine


Future strong growth in the environmental monitoring sector is also expected with use of the technology to drive improvements in air quality in buildings and aircraft.


“Our sensors measure and control the quality of the air that people are breathing,“ said Hine. “A lot of people ventilate buildings without necessarily needing to. By monitoring air quality, you only ventilate a building based on air quality results, which may cut energy consumption and can help reduce global warming. Sensors are becoming increasingly important and they are designed into an increasing number of applications, so we see strong opportunities for SGX Sensortech.“


In the Asian market, improved health and safety regulation in sectors such as the mining industry is helping boost sales. The company’s safety sensors detect levels of dangerous combustible and toxic gases, helping prevent deaths from explosions and poisoning in industries such as mining and oil exploration.


At the same time, the company is also a major player in the healthcare, research and pharmaceutical sectors, where its high- specification x-ray detection systems are used by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for


Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England. Registered Number 1026167. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered Number 122702. Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – SEPTEMBER 2012 www.businessmag.co.uk


materials analysis, helping determine the identity and make-up of certain materials.


Hine has a solid track record in growing businesses in the electronics and advanced engineering sectors. He has a PhD in Physics from Cambridge University and, after an international career with Philips BV and Hitachi, has spent the past 16 years growing the value of venture capital and private equity backed advanced engineering companies. He has previously been CEO of Hardide PLC, P2i, and Capteur Sensors and has achieved several successful exits for investors.


The SGX Sensortech transaction was backed by funding from Baird Capital Partners Europe, with additional debt funding from Beechbrook Capital.


Recently, the company has also been working with Lee Atkinson and the corporate banking team at Barclays, which now provides day-to-day banking activities, including exchange rate and working capital facilities.


Hine says the range of services from Barclays works well and he is encouraged by the offer of further support if it is needed in the future.


* Research by CIL shows circa 7.5m automotive gas sensors were manufactured in 2011 and Autofacts research shows over the same period there were circa 74m cars/light vehicles produced.


Details:


SGX Sensortech: Dr Graham Hine 07774-257333 info@sgxsensortech.com www.sgxsensortech.com


Barclays Lee Atkinson 07775-542589 Lee.Atkinson@barclays.com www.barclays.com/ corporatebanking


The views expressed in this article are the views of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Barclays Bank PLC Group nor should they be taken as statements of policy or intent of the Barclays Bank PLC Group. The Barclays Bank PLC Group takes no responsibility for the veracity of information contained in the third part guides or articles and no warranties or undertakings of any kind, whether express or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information given. The Barclays Bank PLC Group takes no liability for the impact of any decisions made based on information contained and views expressed.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44