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Diploma plc

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Diploma plc
TypePublic
IndustryTechnical products and services
Founded1931; 95 years ago (1931)
Headquarters
London[1]
,
United Kingdom
Key peopleDavid Lowden, (Chairman)
Johnny Thomson (CEO)
ProductsControl systems, seals, live science systems
RevenueIncrease £1,524.5 million (2025)[2]
Increase £342.7 million (2025)[2]
Increase £185.5 million (2025)[2]
Websitewww.diplomaplc.com

Diploma plc is a British business supplying specialised technical products and services based in London, England. It is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

History

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The company was founded in 1931. It was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1960, and was a market leader in electronic component distribution, building products and special steels until the late 1980s.[3]

In September 1999, Diploma sold its 94 percent stake in the electronic component distribution business SEI Macro to the US distributor Avnet in exchange for £37.5 million.[4][5] One year later, its building products business under the Robert Lee brand was also sold.[6] In 2001, Diploma divested its special steels business, Henry Whitham, for £11.1 million.[7]

In December 2008, the company acquired RT Dygert International, a US-based distributor of seals.[8] In March 2015, it purchased Kubo Tech, a Swiss-based seals distributor.[9]

It was announced in August 2018, that CEO Richard Ingram would be stepping down after four months in charge, with John Nicholas acting as executive chairman in interim charge.[10] In January 2020, investors expressed concern about the bonus package offered to the new CEO, Johnny Thomson.[11]

The company acquired Simonsen & Weel, a Danish medical equipment supplier, in January 2021,[12] Tennessee Industrial Electronics, a Nashville-based parts distributor, for £76 million in March 2023,[13] and Distribuidora Internacional Carmen, a Spanish-based distributor of fluid power products, for £170 million in July 2023.[14] One year later, it purchased Plastic and Rubber Group Holdings Limited (PAR) for £38 million.[15]

Operations

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Diploma is a distributor, operating in the three sectors of Controls (including specialised wiring), Seals (including seals and gaskets) and Life Sciences (including consumables and instrumentation).[16]

The company has operations in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and China.[17]

References

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  1. ↑ "Diploma PLC: Company No. 00389984". Companies House. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Annual Report 2025" (PDF). Diploma. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  3. ↑ Diploma plc sees expansion in CAD/CAM, memory chip markets. CBR online. 17 May 1989.
  4. ↑ "SEI Macro sold to Avnet in £37.5m deal". Electronics Weekly. 3 September 1999.
  5. ↑ Gilbert, Nick (13 September 1999). "Shareholders to grill Diploma over sale of distribution arm". Financial News London.
  6. ↑ "About Robert Lee Distribution". rlee.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "Diploma sells Henry Whitham for 11.1 mln stg". AFX UK Focus. 20 March 2001.
  8. ↑ "RT Dygert International was acquired by Diploma on 23 December 2008". Mergr. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  9. ↑ "Diploma PLC übernimmt Kubo Gruppe". Schweizer Maschinenmarkt. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  10. ↑ "Diploma CEO steps down after four months in charge". U.S. Reuters. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "Investors revolt over bonus award for Diploma chief Johnny Thomson". The Times. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  12. ↑ "Nye britiske ejere trækker millionbeløb ud af Simonsen & Weel". Med Watch. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "Diploma makes GBP76 million acquisition, announces capital raise". Morning Star. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  14. ↑ "Diploma Acquires Distribuidora Internacional Carmen For Initial 170 Mln Pounds". RTT News. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  15. ↑ Bedford, Joe (8 May 2024). "Advising Diploma PLC on the acquisition of Plastic and Rubber Group Holdings Limited". stevens-bolton.com.
  16. ↑ "About us". Diploma plc. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  17. ↑ Miller, Cameron M. (2018-04-09). "Diploma Plc - Enough To Seal The Deal?". Seeking Alpha. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
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