IDEX Corporation

IDEX Corporation is a global industrial company based in Northbrook, Illinois. IDEX develops, designs, and manufactures fluidics systems, optics systems, fire and rescue equipment, and other specialty engineered products. As of February 2025, IDEX operated in approximately 20 countries and had approximately employed 9,000 employees. The company is publicly traded and a component of the S&P 500 index.

History

IDEX was formed in 1988, when Kohlberg Kravis Roberts purchased several divisions of Houdaille Industries, which had recently been sold by KKR to Tube Instruments. Its first chairman and CEO was Donald N. Boyce. The company raised $3.3 million with its initial public offering in June 1989.

In May 1994, IDEX reached an agreement to acquire Hale Products, Inc., of Conshohocken, Pa., for $90 million. Hale sells fire-trucks, portable pumps, ventilation systems, and is part of IDEX's fire and safety division, which includes the Hurst " Jaws of Life". By 1996, IDEX had acquired ten other companies and its annual revenue was approximately $562 million.

In January 1998, IDEX agreed to buy Gast Manufacturing of Benton Harbor, Michigan, for $118 million. Gast manufactures compressors, vacuum pumps, air motors and other products. The following year, the company's original CEO Donald Boyce stepped down from his position. IDEX COO Frank Hansen took over as chief executive.

In 2011, IDEX acquired Microfluidics International, a company that designs and manufactures equipment that used to produce nanoparticles. This acquisition supported IDEX's existing work in pharmaceutical research and production.

In June 2018, IDEX Corporation announced its acquisition of Phantom Controls, a company that manufactures pump systems.

In March 2021, IDEX announced that it was acquiring Abel Pumps LP, a manufacturer of reciprocating positive displacement pumps used in mining, marine, and power industries. The following month, IDEX announced it had agreed to acquire Airtech Group, Inc. and US Valve Corporation. Airtech is a manufacturer of pressure technology products such as pumps and compressor systems and valves.

In September 2022, IDEX announced that it would acquire the Netherlands-based micro-precision technology conglomerate Muon Group, and that Muon's several subsidiaries, such as LouwersHanique and Millux, would be incorporated into IDEX's health and science technologies segment. In July 2024, IDEX announced that it would soon purchase Mott Corp, a filtration products manufacturer, to further bolster the company's health and science technologies segment.

Operations

IDEX's name is an acronym for "Innovation, Diversity, and Excellence." The company is composed of more than 50 largely decentralized businesses that operate as subsidiaries. It operates in approximately 20 countries and its business is organized into three segments: Fluid and Metering Technologies, Health and Science Technologies, and Fire and Safety and Diversified products.

IDEX is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. Its CEO is Eric Ashleman. As of February 2025, it employs approximately 9,000 people. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and is included in the S&P 500.

Products

IDEX manufactures industrial equipment and components for diversified markets, including the agricultural, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and fire safety sectors. Its products include fluid-handling apparatuses like pumps, valves, and flow meters. It also makes air compressors, optical filters, hydraulic rescue tools, and fire suppression equipment.

References

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Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange
Companies based in Northbrook, Illinois
Tool manufacturing companies of the United States
Manufacturing companies based in Illinois
American companies established in 1988
Companies formed by management buyout