Acquirer · Listed strategic
Judges Scientific
Acquires and develops scientific instrument companies, mostly UK-based, selling to universities, research facilities, manufacturers and regulators worldwide.
- London, UK
- Headquarters
- Scientific instruments
- Focus
- London AIM
- Listing
At a glance
- Type
- Listed strategic acquirer
- Listing
- London AIM (JDG)
- Sector
- Scientific instruments
- Track record
- 25 businesses acquired, 2005–2024
- Customers
- Universities, research, industry, regulators
- Funding
- Cash, from existing bank facilities
How Judges Scientific buys
Judges Scientific says it selectively acquires businesses that generate sustainable profits and cash, and aims to return value to shareholders through debt reduction, organic growth and dividends.
Its targets are typically owner-managed instrument makers with a worldwide customer base. In its 2024 acquisition of Teer Coatings it also agreed to pay the sellers for any working capital above what the business needed on an ongoing basis — a detail worth noting for anyone negotiating a working capital peg.
Notable deals
Magsputter / Teer Coatings (Droitwich Spa, UK)
PVD coating instruments and coating services. £12.3m initial cash consideration, plus payment for excess working capital.
Announcement ↗
Sources
- Judges Scientific plc — company website
- Judges Scientific — Acquisition of Magsputter Limited (RNS, 15 August 2024)
Facts last checked 20 October 2026. Public information only — spotted something out of date? It will be corrected with a dated note.
Coming to this profile
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Acquisition history
Table of disclosed transactions with dates, sectors and terms where public.