Thistle Design Continues to Deliver into Type 26 Programme Under New Ownership
Thistle Design prepare to dispatch the next set of Marine Encoder Ring Systems to GE Power for
BAE’s Type 26 programme
Thistle Design’s parent company, BEI Precision, are acquired by $4.3billion private equity firm
Arcline to become part of the Quantic Electronics group.
Thistle Design have been designing and manufacturing sensors for use on Royal Navy ships and
submarines for more than two decades. Recent projects have included the sensors to synchronise the prop shafts on the QE Class carriers, and a similar capability is being supplied to GE as part of their cutting-edge electric propulsion systems for BAE’s Type 26 programme, providing feedback to the induction motors on speed and direction of each shaft. Thistle’s production facility in Midlothian, Scotland are now ready to dispatch the seventh set out of an initial order of ten sets and anticipates further orders with BAE’s continued success in its export sales of the Global Combat Ship.
QuanticTM Electronics, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, recently announced the acquisition of Thistle Design’s parent company BEI Precision Systems & Space Company, Inc. from J.F. Lehman & Company. BEI Precision designs, engineers, and manufactures highly accurate, resilient, and reliable position feedback sensors and frequency reference technologies for mission-critical space, land, air, and sea applications.
“Over the last three years Thistle Design has thrived as an integral part of the BEI Precision’s defence manufacturing capability,” said Gordon Stewart, Managing Director of Thistle Design, “now with this acquisition and incorporation into the Quantic group we look forward to further investment into UK operations as Quantic seek to grow their European market.”
Mark Mirelez, President and Chief Executive Officer of BEI Precision, commented, “Today’s milestone is a validation of the market-leading position, operational excellence, and culture that we have worked tirelessly to achieve. We look forward to continuing to deliver on future growth opportunities with our new partners at Quantic Electronics.”
About Thistle Design (MMC) Ltd
Thistle Design MMC, part of the BEI Precision Group, are a specialist UK SME who provide innovative sensors for Measurement, Motion and Control applications for the Defence, Nuclear and Industrial markets.
Founded in 1992 by ex-Ferranti engineers, Thistle Design has generated a proud heritage in Optical, Magnetic and Contact Encoders together with Resolvers, Potentiometers and Motors. Thistle Design products are to be found on all five Continents where applications to measure linear and rotary motion, distance travelled, heading and other angular requirements, and have sensors or motors on many of the UK’s major platforms including Challenger, Warrior, Scimitar, AJAX, Type 45, Type 26, QE Class Carriers and imminently Britain’s replacement to Vanguard. For more information visit www.thistledesign.com. About Arcline Investment Management
Arcline is a growth-oriented private equity firm that seeks to invest in thriving middle market businesses in high value industries. Arcline’s differentiated investment strategy combines deep business model expertise, proactive thematic research, an unrelenting focus on the upside and a collaborative, management-first approach to value creation. The firm’s primary sectors of interest include defense, aerospace, critical infrastructure services, industrial & medical technology, life sciences and specialty materials. Launched in 2019, Arcline currently has $4.3 billion in cumulative capital commitments. For more information visit www.arcline.com.
