Diploma plc
{{Short description|Electronics & services business}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Diploma plc
| logo = Diploma plc new logo.jpg
| type = Public
| industry = Technical products and services
| traded_as = {{ubl|{{lse|DPLM}}|FTSE 100 component}}
| foundation = {{Start date and age |1931}}
| location_city = London
| location_country = United Kingdom
| key_people = David Lowden, (Chairman)
Johnny Thomson (CEO)
| products = Control systems, seals, live science systems
| services =
| revenue ={{increase}} £1,363.4 million (2024){{cite web|url=https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/diploma-2024-annual-report.pdf|title= Annual Report 2024|publisher=Diploma|access-date=8 February 2025}}
| operating_income ={{increase}} £285.0 million (2024)
| net_income ={{increase}} £130.0 million (2024)
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year =
| homepage = {{url|https://www.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
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.{{cite book|title=Diploma plc sees expansion in CAD/CAM, memory chip markets|publisher=CBR online|date=17 May 1989}}
The electronic component distribution business (SEI Macro) was sold in 1999,[http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/03/09/1999/12717/SEI-Macro-sold-to-Avnet-in-37.5m-deal.htm SEI Macro sold to Avnet in £37.5m deal] Electronics Weekly, 3 September 1999 the building products business (Robert Lee) was sold in 2000,{{cite web |url=http://www.rlee.co.uk/company_history |title=About Robert Lee Distribution |work=rlee.co.uk |access-date=28 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615004928/http://www.rlee.co.uk/company_history |archive-date=15 June 2012 }} and the special steels business (Henry Whitham) was sold in 2001.[http://www.iii.co.uk/investment/detail/?display=news&code=cotn:DPLM.L&action=article&articleid=3231560 Diploma sells Henry Whitham for 11.1 mln stg] AFX UK Focus, 20 March 2001
The company acquired RT Dygert International, a US-based distributor of seals, in December 2008,{{cite news|url=https://mergr.com/rt-dygert-international-acquired-by-diploma|title=RT Dygert International was acquired by Diploma on 23 December 2008|newspaper=Mergr|access-date=7 September 2023}} and Kubo Tech, a Swiss-based seals distributor, in March 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.maschinenmarkt.ch/diploma-plc-uebernimmt-kubo-gruppe-a-481619/|title=Diploma PLC übernimmt Kubo Gruppe|date=16 March 2015|newspaper=Schweizer Maschinenmarkt| access-date=7 September 2023}}
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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/diploma-ceo/update-1-diploma-ceo-steps-down-after-four-months-in-charge-idUSL3N1VK2TW|title=Diploma CEO steps down after four months in charge|publisher=Reuters|work=U.S.|access-date=2018-10-24|language=en-US}} In January 2020, investors expressed concern about the bonus package offered to the new CEO, Johnny Thomson.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/investors-revolt-over-bonus-award-for-diploma-chief-johnny-thomson-h2kr22zb3|title=Investors revolt over bonus award for Diploma chief Johnny Thomson|newspaper= The Times|date=17 January 2020|access-date=7 September 2023}}
The company acquired Simonsen & Weel, a Danish medical equipment supplier, in January 2021,{{cite news|url=https://medwatch.dk/Medico___Rehab/article13800992.ece |title=Nye britiske ejere trækker millionbeløb ud af Simonsen & Weel|newspaper=Med Watch|date=7 March 2022|access-date=7 September 2023}} Tennessee Industrial Electronics, a Nashville-based parts distributor, for £76 million in March 2023,{{cite news|url=https://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/AN_1678988500470898300/diploma-makes-gbp76-million-acquisition-announces-capital-raise.aspx|title=Diploma makes GBP76 million acquisition, announces capital raise|date=16 March 2023|newspaper=Morning Star|access-date=7 September 2023}} and Distribuidora Internacional Carmen, a Spanish-based distributor of fluid power products, for £170 million in July 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.rttnews.com/3375436/diploma-acquires-distribuidora-internacional-carmen-for-initial-170-mln-pounds.aspx |title=Diploma Acquires Distribuidora Internacional Carmen For Initial 170 Mln Pounds|newspaper=RTT News|date=13 July 2023|access-date=7 September 2023}}
Operations
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).{{cite web|url=https://www.diplomaplc.com/about-us/our-sectors/|title=About us|publisher=Diploma plc|access-date=14 June 2022}}
The company has operations in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and China.{{Cite web|url=https://seekingalpha.com/article/4161870-diploma-plc-enough-seal-deal|title=Diploma Plc - Enough To Seal The Deal?|last=Miller|first=Cameron M.|date=2018-04-09|website=Seeking Alpha|language=en|access-date=2019-04-23}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.diplomaplc.com Official site]
{{FTSE 100 Index constituents}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Conglomerate companies established in 1931
Category:Companies based in the London Borough of Islington
Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange
Category:Business services companies established in 1931
Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1931