Keithley Instruments
| Company type | Public (until 2010) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronic test equipment |
| Founded | 1 January 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
| Founder | Joseph F. Keithley |
| Defunct | 2010 |
| Fate | Acquired by Danaher Corporation; merged with Tektronix |
| Headquarters | Solon, Ohio , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Joseph P. Keithley (chairman from 1991) |
| Products | Electrometers, voltmeters, signal generators, data acquisition units, parametric testers and analyzers |
| Parent | Danaher Corporation (since 2010) |
Keithley Instruments is a company focused on measurement and instrumentation, headquartered in Solon, Ohio. It specializes in delivering data acquisition solutions and comprehensive systems designed for high-volume manufacturing and assembly testing environments.
In September 2010, Keithley consented to be acquired by the Danaher Corporation, a conglomerate based in Washington, D.C., at a price of $21.60 per share. Following this acquisition, it was integrated with Tektronix, Inc, which Danaher had purchased in 2007, and currently functions as a brand under Tektronix.
History
The company was established in 1946 by Joseph F. Keithley. Its inaugural product, named the "Phantom Repeater," was created to amplify very low-level electrical signals so they could be measured with conventional instruments. The firm's significant advancement came through the invention of an electrometer, which laid the foundation for its role in precision measurement technology.
General
Keithley develops, produces, and markets electronic instruments and systems that support electronics manufacturers in areas such as production testing, process control, product innovation, and scientific research.
Its extensive product range includes roughly 500 items capable of sourcing, measuring, interfacing, controlling, or transmitting direct current (DC), radio frequency (RF), or optical signals. These solutions encompass everything from fully integrated systems to individual instruments and PC plug-in cards.
The company caters to engineers, technicians, and researchers involved in manufacturing, development, and academic sectors worldwide. Keithley maintains operations across North America, Asia, and Europe, concentrating on markets like electronics manufacturing test systems, semiconductors, telecommunications/wireless technologies, and research/education.
Products
Keithley Instruments' principal offerings comprise testing and measurement devices such as electrometers, voltmeters, signal generators, data acquisition units, along with parametric testers and analyzers suited for both production line and laboratory applications.
Historical highlights
- 1946 – Joseph F. Keithley founded the company in Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- 1950 – First staff member hired: John Yeager (deceased 2018)
- 1964 – Relocated headquarters to Solon, Ohio
- 1966 – Established German branch
- 1967 – Opened UK office
- 1991 – Joseph P. Keithley took on role of chairman
- 1995 – Became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange
- 1998 – Launched Taiwan office
- 2000 – Opened Korean branch
- 2003 – Initiated RF Design center in Santa Rosa, California (later sold to Agilent Technologies in 2009)
- 2005 – Began operations in Singapore
- 2009 – Discontinued S600 Series parametric testers
- 2010 – Approved acquisition by Danaher Corporation; merged with Tektronix operations
- 2011 – Transferred majority of manufacturing from Ohio to China
External links
- "Understanding current switching’s special needs". Cigoy, Dale. Electronic Products. July 1, 2009.
- "Standards Help Ensure Order for Nanotechnology". Tucker, Jonathan. Evaluation Engineering. June 2009.
- "Low Level Measurements Handbook: Precision DC Current, Voltage, and Resistance Measurements". Keithley Instruments, Inc. 7th edition, 2016.