Smiths, GE in security partnership

Smiths Group and General Electric have signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture called Smiths GE Detection. Smiths will own 64 percent and GE will own 36 percent of the partnership. The new company will combine Smiths Detection with GE Homeland Protection to create a global business catering to the rapidly growing detection and homeland protection markets.

The Smiths GE Detection portfolio will include a broad range of technologies designed to provide the basis for integrated security solutions for governments and other customers around the world. The venture will combine each parent’s technological capabilities and the research and innovation resources available at GE’s Global Research Center.

The board of the joint venture will be chaired by Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, the chief executive of Smiths, and will consist of four Smiths and two GE representatives. The venture’s first president will be Stephen Phipson, currently group managing director of Smiths Detection.