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All the latest news from Steatite

Getac Announces Product Update

Getac will officially  discontinue the B300 with 3rd Gen Intel Processor from the current product line. The last date to order this platform is August 11, 2014. This notice will not affect service support for units covered under the The new Getac B300, featuring latest Intel 4th Gen. Processor and other upgrades are available now.

Getac will officially discontinue the V100/V200 series from the current product line. The last date to order this platform is September 1, 2014. This notice will not affect service support for units covered under the Getac warranty.Getac V110 will be the replacement product of V100/V200. V110 features thinner and lighter unify body design.Further, the new configuration incorporates latest 4th Generation Intel processor and other high performance technologies while improving power efficiency.

The V110 rugged convertible has been built using the highest quality materials to make it unflinchingly resilient. The V110’s main chassis structure is precision cast using Magnesium Alloy, an incredibly strong structural metal that also happens to be one of the lightest in the world for it’s strength. We combined that with an advanced rugged polymer in areas of less impact and rubberized absorption polymer at the main points of contact.

Contact us today for our GETAC V110 price list: +44(0)1527 512400 or  Email us on: sales@rugged-systems.com

 

 

 

 

Steatite at Oceanology International 2014

Steatite’s recent technology showcase at Oceanology International 2014 was a huge success for both Steatite and technology partners OXIS Energy. Boasting a record attendance of approximately 8,400 and 528 exhibiting companies from 35 countries, the event hosted the world’s largest display of state-of-the-art marine technologies, many being launched exclusively at OI 2014.

Steatite showcased the latest rechargeable lithium battery technology from OXIS Energy, presenting to one of the largest participating audiences at the events Innovation Zone Theatre. This technology presentation explained the significant benefits of Lithium Sulfur battery technology, which is set to provide game changing battery pack solutions for a host of applications in the oceanographic and marine industry.

Steatite also exhibited the Lithium Thionyl Chloride Battery solution it developed for NOC’s Autosub Long Range (ALR).

A scale model of ALR, supported by a case studydetailing Steatite’s work with NOC proved incredibly popular with visitors to the stand.

 

Steatite Battery Manager, Paul Edwards, meets with NOC Executive Director, Ed Hill

 

UK Windows Embedded Awareness Day 2013

On the 7th November 2013, Steatite was invited to showcase its embedded devices and intelligent systems to some 3000 Microsoft UK Employees at the UK Windows Embedded Awareness Day.

The event, hosted at the Microsoft Thames Valley Park Campus, in Reading, was to educate Microsoft account managers as well as marketing and sales folk from relevant subsidiaries on the breadth of Windows Embedded devices available in the market today as well as the opportunities available for intelligent systems.

Andy Weekes and Matt Brindle from Steatite were on hand to promote both our product offerings and wider capabilities.

 

There are three main migration paths available from Steatite.

Steatite signs an agreement with Oxis Energy

STEATITE SIGNS AN AGREEMENT WITH OXIS ENERGY THAT WILL RAPIDLY ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF LITHIUM SULFUR BATTERY SYSTEMS

Oxis EnergyThe agreement combines OXIS’s expertise in the development of pioneering cell technology with Steatite’s battery pack design and assembly skills. They have agreed to develop lithium sulfur rechargeable battery systems with advanced communications. These systems will be developed for a wide range of applications in the Oceanographic, Defence and Energy industry such as unmanned vehicles, as well as Li-S solar battery storage systems utilising photovoltaic cell technology.

With interest in the Downhole Oil and Gas industry they will work closely together in identifying suitable partners using OXIS Technology for use in Steatite Battery Systems.

According to OXIS Energy CEO, Huw Hampson-Jones, “We are extremely proud of being at the forefront of developing Lithium Sulfur battery technology but the agreement we have reached with Steatite allows us to combine our strengths in a way that will significantly intensify their further development. Their expertise in Oil & Gas, Transportation and Security will allow us to deploy our Lithium Sulfur cell technology into sectors where safety, lightweight systems and reliable energy performance are key requirements for their customers. We are keen to support the Company in growing its battery systems business in the UK and overseas.”

Paul Edwards, Battery Manager at Steatite, commented; “Steatite has established an enviable reputation for building high quality battery packs used in the most demanding applications, Our association with the world’s leading lithium cell manufacturers and knowledge of the battery industry will continue to improve with our association with OXIS energy. Lithium Sulfur is a game changing technology offering significant technical and commercial advantages in applications using rechargeable lithium technology. We are delighted to partner OXIS energy at the forefront of this development.”

Visit the Steatite Batteries website at www.steatite-batteries.co.uk/oxis-energy.html for more information.

Q-par Angus Limited is acquired by Solid State PLC

Solid State PLC is pleased to announce the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Q-par Angus Ltd (Q-par). The Hereford-based business will be integrated into the Steatite operation, also in Redditch.

Q-par, will now be known as Steatite Q-par Antennas, and will remain as one of Europe’s leading microwave engineering experts specialising in the design and manufacture of ultra-wideband antennas, subsystems, antenna components and consultancy.

 

Q-par was established in 1973 and operates in the EW, SIGINT, Test and Measurement markets and has a global client list including several UK and overseas government organisations, 1st tier defence companies and system integrators who operate in a wide variety of areas including ELINT, COMINT, EMC, and Spectrum management.

Q-par Angus Ltd is one of Europe’s leading experts in microwave and RF engineering with specialisation in antenna systems including microwave reflectors, horn antennas and antenna positioning; principally for the broadcast, environmental, industrial, medical, security and defence markets.  Q-par has a global client list including GCHQ, QinetiQ, the Ministry of Defence, EADS Astrium, Indra, NASA and the US department of Defence.  Over 70% of Q-par’s products are exported overseas via a network of specialist sales agents.

Commenting on the acquisition, John Lavery, Managing Director of Steatite Ltd, said:

Q-Par is an excellent fit for Steatite, offering a broadening of specialist products and services, however, equally importantly, an existing specialist agent network who can further internationalise our existing Steatite product range.  We see this as a truly complementary match.

Established in 1973, Q-par employs 35 security cleared staff based in Leominster, Herefordshire, engaged in product research, design and manufacturing.  Q-par is MoD approved for the handling of Government encrypted data.  A large proportion of its products are based on proprietary designs where Q-par retains the intellectual property and full design files, resulting in a high degree of client retention and repeat order cycles.  This affords considerable barriers to entry for competitors.

Q-par is a high margin business which is expected to enhance overall Group margins and be earnings enhancing, albeit that there will be some integration costs incurred in the current year.

The acquisition of Q-par strengthens Solid State’s product offering in its existing defence, industrial and environmental markets whilst additionally opening up new markets in the fields of medical, counter terrorism and commercial & military intelligence gathering.  The Board is excited by the prospects for these markets, some of which continue to benefit from global political instability and the ever present threat of insurgent and terrorist activity.

Richard and Jenny Holliday founders of Q-par said about the acquisition, “We are delighted Solid State PLC have acquired the business and will provide an ideal environment for Q-par to grow and to move into new and interesting fields, as well as giving fresh opportunities to the staff.

Q-par will continue to build upon a very successful year, with a strong order book, and increasing opportunities around the globe. Q-par will be launching a number of new wideband antenna products during the remainder of 2013, and will be exhibiting at a number of events including EW Europe 2013, Cologne, 50th Annual AOC Symposium and Convention, Washington DC, and the European Microwave Week, 2013 at Nuremberg, Germany.

We are looking forward to being part of the Steatite family. The growing opportunities this presents are exciting and bode well for the future,” said Q-par’s General Manager, John Coad.

Commenting on the acquisition, Gary Marsh, Chief Executive at Solid State, added:

At Solid State, we believe that the application of our engineering expertise strengthens both the business, through development of intellectual property, and our client relationships through the customisation of client solutions to wholly match their needs.  In Q-par we have found a business with the same philosophy.  Their inclusion will undoubtedly add strength and depth to the Group.

The acquisition of Q-par is our 6th acquisition in the past 11 years and follows the hugely successful acquisition of Blazepoint in October 2011.  This demonstrates the continued commitment to our acquisition strategy for our computing, components and batteries businesses and our ambition for the future prospects of Solid State.

AIM listed Solid State PLC is broken into differing trading divisions. Steatite based in Redditch, is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of industrial rugged computing platforms and battery power solutions, while Solid State Supplies, also located in Redditch is a leading edge specialist electronic component distributor.

We look forward to working with you in the future and if you have any questions please feel free to contact our sales team in the usual manner (see below).

Steatite Director invited to present at University of Worcester

Students at the University of Worcester got an insight into a vital part of industry following a visit from a successful Worcester graduate.
Jonathan Jackson, Operations Director at Redditch-based Steatite Limited, was invited back to the University, where he gained his MBA, to talk to students about ‘Operations in the Real World’.

Dr Carl Evans, Senior Lecturer in Business & Management at the University of Worcester commented: “A key focus of Business Management programmes at University of Worcester is the integration of theory and practice. Presentations by managers of local businesses as part of the learning programme help students to understand the contemporary, commercial environment, and also provide an invaluable insight to support their future employment decisions.”

Operations management is one of the central functions of all organisations whether producing goods or services, or in the private, public or voluntary sectors. Students at the University, through study, will gain a basic framework for understanding this function during a session that discusses the role of operations managers, in particular the importance of focusing on suppliers and customers.

Jonathan said: “How these methods can translate into the real world is always harder for students to grasp until they themselves graduate and gain professional experience.”

Before joining Steatite in 2007, Jonathan spent 9 years in the Design Department for Severn Trent Water followed by 7 years managing the service department for Evesham Technology. Local company Steatite now employ over 90 staff and continue to grow through acquisitions and new business. Jonathan said: “Steatite have always been keen in forging new relationships with universities”.

Connect with Jonathan Jackson now on LinkedIn

Local company Steatite now employ over 90 staff and continue to grow through acquisitions and new business.

Steatite adds Multi-Carrier 3G Cellular Broadband Routers to Portfolio

Steatite announces new strategic partnership with CalAmp of Oxnard in the USA. CalAmp specializes in rugged wireless solutions from narrowband to broadband, using licensed, spread spectrum and cellular 3G, 4G LTE technologies to support fixed and mobile connectivity for mission-critical communications. The partnership with Steatite Ltd enables customers to have access to a wide range of radio and cellular based solutions including CalAmp’s Fusion, Vanguard 3000 and Viper SC range of IP L3 routers.

This newly forged relationship enhances the Steatite Mobile Systems product portfolio with multi-carrier 3G cellular broadband routers. Most modern automation systems are converging on a common IP based architecture that uses all or some of the elements described below:

Industrial PCs are the data processing and visualisation ‘brains’ of the system. Ethernet is used as the network infrastructure through the deployment of Industrial Ethernet switches. Cellular routers provide cable-free access to the internet and to other remote sites. Digital and analogue signals from a myriad of transducers can be captured with remote I/O modules serial Ethernet convertors allow legacy RS232/422/485 devices to be used on an IP based network.

“The agreement between CalAmp and Steatite in the UK represents another step in our international expansion strategy,” stated David Moss, Sales Director of CalAmp. “Teaming up with Steatite will provide mission-critical remote GPRS, 3G, HSPA+, 4G and UHF connectivity to transportation, digital signage, blue light servers, energy and utility markets in the UK”.

Steatite Ltd is able to deliver complete hardware solutions and can customise or integrate different parts of the system. Our team of qualified technical sales engineers, product specialists and application engineers are able to provide free pre-sales consultancy and assist with the design and implementation of bespoke solutions.

Steatite builds close individual relationships with its clients who are typically system integrators, manufacturers and test houses operating in the Military, Transport, Security and Oil and Gas industries. All who require a non-standard, extended specification, high quality product backed up by technically competent long-term support, and a supplier who can shoulder some of the burden when supplying systems to applications where quality, conformance and long-term support are mission critical.

Steatite Ltd is proud to represent CalAmp devices for robust wireless network solutions, allowing integration wherever possible with existing customer infrastructure. The newest product portfolio is now being offered to Steatite customers and a few offerings are noted below.

Vanguard 3000 Broadband Router

Vanguard 3000 Broadband Router

  • 3G GSM connectivity
  • Serial to Ethernet conversion
  • Industrial hardened with EN50155 compliance
  • Wi-Fi and GPS options
Viper SC Private Licensed Router

Viper SC Private Licensed Router

  • UHF, VHF, 200 and 900 MHz spectrum
  • Multispeed operation up to 128 kbps
  • Single device store and forward
  • Advanced security meeting FIPS 140-2

All the products within the CalAmp portfolio are fully manageable via local craft tools, or a range of powerful Network Management Systems (NMS) such as the COLT management system from CalAmp, or by integration with third party platforms such as Castlerock, HP Openview or Netcool, using the embedded SNMP protocol.

Contact Steatite Today!

To find out more, or discuss your specific requirements, call us on +44(0) 1527 512400 or drop us an email at sales@steatite.co.uk.

National Oceanography Centre Case Study

NOC Case StudySteatite Batteries to provide a durable and reliable power solution, making it possible for NOC to collect the maximum amount of data at a depth of 6000 metres.

REDDITCH, UNITED KINGDOM, April 8th, 2013

Download National Oceanography Centre Case Study PDF

Historically NOC have used Alkaline and Lithium Polymer battery packs in AUV’s but with the ever increasing deployment demands on endurance NOC required a fresh approach to power. Steatite worked with NOC to develop a mission critical Lithium Primary solution that increased the AUV’s endurance whilst reducing the whole life cost. AUV deployment can be costly with limited deployment and recovery times so deploying for as long as possible can be essential.

Steatite’s Lithium Primary solution offered a number of benefits over the existing Alkaline solution such as greater endurance due to the increased energy density, weight saving, higher stable head voltage and a greater operating temperature range.

Lithium Batteries are already utilised with success in oceanographic applications including Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV), Pipeline Inspection, Seismic Surveying, Acoustic Profilers, Sonar Devices, Oceanographic Buoys, Sensing Devices, GPS Systems and Memory Storage.

Steatite Batteries designed and manufactured battery packs, each containing 56 x Lithium Thionyl Chloride D cells. These battery packs were then tested to meet UN Testing Criteria Part III 38.3 Rev 5, Clauses T1 – T5. The finished solution comprises of 10 x battery packs, in order to achieve NOC required battery set specification of 25.2 Volts DC @ 152Ah. Each battery set will be constructed into a frame inside a pressure vessel by NOC with connections made to the Autosub.

Steatite’s battery solution made it possible for NOC to collect the maximum amount of data at a depth of 6000 metres. Visit www.steatite-batteries.co.uk to learn more.

Changes in Shipping Regulations for Lithium Batteries

GE SONDEXChanges in shipping regulations for lithium batteries mean that the ability to source your battery packs locally will reduce your costs and improve service levels. Steatite is the market leading battery pack manufacturer through Europe and the Middle East. Since the acquisition of RZ Pressure, we have continued to increase our range of high temperature battery packs which are approved to meet transport regulations.

With over 25 years’ experience, Steatite Batteries are a global leader in the supply of high temperature lithium battery packs to the oil & gas industry. Our range of battery packs are designed for safe and reliable operation in the most extreme environments. By choosing Steatite as your preferred vendor for your GE SONDEX battery packs you will benefit from:

  • Endorsed by OEM and preferred battery supplier to GE SONDEX
  • High quality battery packs manufactured in the UK
  • Ideally suited to Production Data Logging
  • Competitive prices
  • Fast delivery and worldwide shipping
  • UN3090 certified for air transport

Contact us today for our GE SONDEX price list: +44(0)1527 512400 or sales@steatite-batteries.co.uk

Visit the Steatite Batteries website at www.steatite-batteries.co.uk.

Steatite discusses SME Manufacturing issues at Westminster

Steatite discusses SME Manufacturing issues at WestminsterJohn Lavery, Managing Director of Redditch based company Steatite Limited, took part in a Q&A session at Westminster on Thursday 14th February 2013.

John Lavery and Karen LumleyJohn joined Karen Lumley MP, Member of Parliament for Redditch County, together with a number of Redditch business leaders who had been invited to the House of Commons to discuss issues around the growth of the manufacturing industry, with Michael Fallan MP, the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.

Key issues at the meeting included employment, bank borrowing, investment for growth, export, employment law and red tape from local and national government. During the session John addressed TUPE Law (The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) and the difficulties encountered by small to medium sized businesses in attempting to win large contracts due to restrictions in both European and National procurement processes.

Connect with John Lavery now on LinkedIn

Local company Steatite now employ over 90 staff and continue to grow through acquisitions and new business.