The history of M&I Materials is one of a unique fusion of tradition and progress, with a rich heritage in innovations made by the countless employees who built the company in to what it is today.
Materials Science Heritage Trusted the World Over
Key Events Timeline for M&I Materials:
- 1899 - Foundation
The history of M&I Materials begins with The British Westinghouse Company
(later renamed Metropolitan-Vickers) - 1901 - The Mica Insulator Company (M&I)
The Mica Insulator Company (M&I) is founded by the Berkeley brothers.
- 1902 - New Premises
The company acquires new premises at Walthamstow, London
- 1906 - The Micanite & Insulators Co. Ltd
Company name changed to The Micanite & Insulators Co. Ltd
- 1919 - Vickers acquisition
British Westinghouse acquired by Vickers Ltd and changes name to The Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Company (Metrovicks)
- 1926 - Apiezon discovered!
Bill Burch discovers Apiezon Oils.
- 1929 - AEI formed
Metrovicks and M&I join the Associated Electrical Industries (AEI) group and AEI expands the Walthamstow plant
- 1933 - Apiezon Products Registered
Apiezon Products Ltd (APL) is registered
- 1937 - Metrosil On Mass
First mass-production of Metrosil
- 1944 - War Effects Walthamstow
WWII bombs fall on Walthamstow plant disrupting production
- 1947 - Metrovicks Research Becomes AEI Research
- 1959 - Metropolitan-Vickers Merger
AEI incorporate the Metropolitan-Vickers name into a universal AEI brand
- 1967 - AEI Acquired by GEC
AEI (and M&I) are acquired by GEC. M&I’s production is moved from Walthamstow to Trafford Park
- 1979 - MIDEL Transformer Fluid Is Patented
Holt & Waddington’s MIDEL transformer fluid is patented
- 1981 - MIDEL 1st Rail Application
MIDEL is used in its first rail application
- 1988 - M&I Buys Out Shell’s Share In APL
M&I also acquire the high density metals activity of Electro Precision Components Ltd
- 1989 - M&I Begin Production Of Tungsten-Heavy Alloys
Also, the power generation arm of GEC merges with CGE to form GEC ALSTHOM
- 1990 - M&I Changes To GEC ALSTHOM (M&I) LTD
- 1993 - Management Buyout From GEC ALSTHOM
Colin Salt completes management buyout from GEC ALSTHOM, forming M&I Materials Ltd. Mica activities are sold off by GEC ALSTHOM
- 1998 – M&I Materials Ltd In The USA
M&I acquires Inland Vacuum Industries Inc
- 2001 - Power Development (Part Of Spirent Plc) Acquired
M&I Materials Ltd acquires the silicon carbide activity of Power Development
- 2003 - New Premises For M&I Materials
M&I Materials Ltd move to new facility at Hibernia Way, Trafford Park
- 2004 - MIDEL Production On The Move!
MIDEL production moves to the new premises at Hibernia Way, Trafford Park
- 2009 - Production Up And International Awards!
Second new production line for MIDEL installed and M&I Materials Ltd receive the Queen’s Award for International Trade
- 2010 - HRH The Prince Of Wales Visits M&I Materials
- 2018 - The launch of MIVOLT dielectric fluids
MIVOLT begins its mission to develop the safest, most effective dielectric fluids for direct immersion cooling of battery systems and power electronics – enabling the next generation of safer, cooler, greener electrical systems.
- 2021 - The launch of MI240 Performance BioLubricants
Following extensive market research and rigorous field trials, the Performance Biolubricants business was launched in 2021.