A brief history

At Renishaw, we have spent nearly 50 years engineering change. Our company was established in 1973 by David McMurtry (now Sir David McMurtry), Executive Chairman, and John Deer, Non-Executive Deputy Chairman. Renishaw`s first product, the touch-trigger probe, was invented by Sir David to solve a specific inspection requirement for the Olympus engines used in Concorde. This innovative product led to a revolution in three-dimensional co-ordinate measurement, enabling the accurate measurement of machined components and finished assemblies.

Throughout our history we have made a significant commitment to research and development with typically around 13% to 18% of annual sales invested in R&D and engineering. This has enabled us to design, develop and deliver solutions that provide unparalleled precision, control and reliability.

In 2017, William Lee, was appointed Chief Executive of Renishaw and he continues to drive the business forward to remain a worldwide leader in precision technology. Since our beginnings with the first touch-trigger probe, we have diversified into sensors for CNC machine tools which are used for automating machine tool setting operations and in-process part measurement, position encoders for accurate motion control, laser interferometry for machine performance evaluation, systems to produce dental crowns and bridges, Raman microscopes for spectral analysis of materials, gauging technology, metal additive manufacturing (3D printing), metrology fixturing systems, styli for probes and medical devices for neurosurgical applications.

We have a strong global presence, with 79 locations in 37 countries and over 90% of our sales are made outside the UK. The majority of our R&D and manufacturing is carried out in the UK, primarily in the county of Gloucestershire where our headquarters is based. We also have manufacturing bases in France, Germany, India, Ireland and the USA.

Renishaw plc software

MODUS - Model 2 - Metrology Software