Racal-vadic Quick Start

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What company did Racal buy out in 1980?

  The Milgo and Vadic purchases increased U.S. sales tremendously, from $5 million to an estimated $355 million between 1976 and 1982. In 1980, Racal bought the British firm Decca Ltd. Analysts at the time believed that Decca would give Racal too many businesses "irrelevant" to its major activities.

• What did Racal buy Decca for?

  With Decca, Racal acquired defense radar, avionics, and marine and survey electronics capabilities. Another bidding contest, this time with rival British electronics firm General Electric, hiked Decca's sale price from $150 million to $250 million.

• How many countries does Racal operate?

  Racal operates through a network of subsidiaries in England, the United States, Europe, and Asia. Twenty of these subsidiaries are in North America. Overall, sales outside of the United Kingdom account for more than 54% of Racal's annual revenues. Raymond Brown and Calder Cunningham founded Racal as a two-man consulting firm in 1950.

• What happened to Racal-Milgo?

  A recession in the American data communications industry dealt a severe blow: Racal-Milgo and Racal-Vadic, once accounting for 40% of total revenues, totaled only 27% at mid year. At the time of its greatest slump, Racal took another risk--one that already promises tremendous success.

• Who are the founders of the Racal company?

  Racal was created in 1950 as Racal Ltd, the name being derived from the partners RAymond Brown and George CALder Cunningham. Ernest Harrison joined the company as employee number 13 as an accountant, but later held the positions of chief buyer, personnel director and contract negotiator.

• When did Racal Telecom go public?

  On 26 October 1988, Racal Telecom, majority held by Racal Electronics; went public on the London Stock Exchange with 20% of its stock floated. The successful flotation led to a situation where the Racal’s stake in Racal Telecom was valued more than the whole of Racal Electronics.

• Is Racal Electronics owned by Vodafone?

  On 29 December 1986, Racal Electronics bought out the minority shareholders of Vodafone for £110 million. In 1988, 20% of Racal Telecom was floated on the London Stock Exchange. This would lead to the situation where Racal Electronics was valued at less than its shareholding in Racal Telecom.

• What happened to Racal Instruments?

  Racal was purchased by Thomson-CSF (now Thales Group) in 2000, thereby giving the French firm access to the UK defence and armaments market. In 2001, Racal Instruments, Inc. became an independent company after a leveraged buyout from Thales.