LTE was originally established in 1947 as a partnership by local businessmen, Herbert Parkin and William Heathcote. Based in Greenfield from the start, LTE was originally known as Laboratory Thermal Equipment, and specialized in the design and manufacture of ovens, incubators and other temperature controlled products. After only a few years, the expanding business soon necessitated larger buildings and in 1957 LTE moved into the premises it still occupies at Greenbridge Lane, Greenfield in the North West of England.
From September 1966, LTE was acquired and became part of the Baird & Tatlock group, an association which was to last for over 20 years. It was during this time that LTE expanded its laboratory and medical equipment product ranges, and in 1973 started to manufacture autoclaves for the life science sector.
In 1992 LTE returned to private ownership under the Perry family.
In December 2001, LTE acquired the business of a Northampton-based sterilizer manufacturer called Autoclave Control and Engineering (ACE), whose operation included a large service business and the design and manufacture of larger capacity steam sterilizers, serving the laboratory, medical and pharmaceutical markets. This acquisition took LTE into the medical market for sterilizers, providing them with the ability to supply machines with a much higher capacity (up to 6000-litres). Renamed LTE Touchclave Systems, production was centralized to LTE’s HQ in July 2004 and since then, growth in the Touchclave brand has been steady and sustained.
In 2007 LTE diversified further into the medical sector with a range of cabinets for the drying and storage of processed endoscopes. LTE’s Scope-Store range has grown in popularity since launch and has established a strong presence in the UK and overseas. The introduction of the new Scope-Store IQ+ took LTE to new levels of performance with its advanced controls and up to 30 days of safe storage for processed endoscopes.
In September 2016 LTE became the exclusive UK supplier of KEN Hygiene equipment, a leading Danish manufacturer of disinfection equipment. This partnership allowed LTE to branch further into the medical and life-science markets by offering a more robust selection of products for disinfection including the IQ range of washer disinfectors, trolley washers and even an autonomous loading robot for busy CSSD units.
July 2022 marked an exciting year for LTE who, while celebrating their 75th Anniversary were acquired and became part of the SDI Group Plc (SDI) bringing an end to an impressive 30 years of private ownership by the Perry family. This new and exciting acquisition brought LTE into an established group with an outstanding record of growth following acquisitions and development of other businesses in similar sectors, including the life-science and medical markets.
LTE has always paid great attention to its products. Many factors, from the accurate performance of its products to the general build quality, longevity and reliability have all helped to maintain LTE’s outstanding reputation in the market.
LTE Scientific also make special equipment to meet a customer’s specific requirements and this type of work makes up a substantial proportion of the company’s total output. Special autoclave machines and environmental rooms form just part of LTE’s customised service.
With a nationwide team of service engineers, product servicing has become a staple part of the LTE service offering. Managed from their Manchester based service centre, LTE’s HTM and UKAS registered engineers’ can complete equipment servicing (including regular maintenance, installation, validation, calibration and repairs) on both LTE and none-LTE brands anywhere in the UK.
Not many companies can boast a history as long and as rich as LTE’s. Since its incorporation in 1947, LTE has been a constant presence in the life science, health and pharmaceutical sectors both in the UK and overseas. The reliability and longevity of its products has ensured its position in the market and provided its customers with the confidence to buy again and again from a trusted manufacturer and service provider.
LTE adheres to national standards and is accredited to the latest versions of ISO 9001, ISO13485 and ISO17025:2005 (UKAS), and our engineers are fully trained and qualified to UKAS and HTM guidelines.
LTE is a great place to work whether you are based at its headquarters or out in the field. As a growing business we regularly have opportunities available, all of which will be advertised here.
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