Approximately 1,200 Invensys Process Systems (Foxboro) employees and retirees gathered under a huge tent on the Neponset (Mass.) Plant site on June 24 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of The Foxboro Co. The Massachusetts company—a long-time supplier of industrial controls and automation products—is now part of Invensys Process Systems. IPS President and Chief Executive Officer Paulett Eberhart touted the rich history of the company and stated the need for continuing change as the company competes in a new century.
Congratulatory notices poured in from a range of political leaders. On hand were a selectman from the Town of Foxborough (and a former Foxboro employee) and the local State Assemblyman, who each read proclamations. Congratulatory letters from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, U.S. Senator John Kerry and U.S. Representative Barney Frank were also read. Following the speeches, the steak and lobster lunch was a hit.
The enthusiasm of the crowd was obvious, but not more so than when Eberhart made a point of emphasizing the exceptional loyalty exhibited by the longevity of service. She asked all the Foxboro employees to stand. First, she asked those with five or fewer years of service to sit. A few did. Then she repeated it for those with 10 or fewer years. When she asked those with 20 or fewer years of experience with the company to sit, more than half were still standing. Several hundred were still standing at more than 30 years, and about a dozen were still on their feet at 40 years or more.
Foxboro timeline
The Foxboro brand was born in 1908 when E.H. and B.B. Bristol opened the Industrial Instrument Company, which was renamed The Foxboro Company in 1914. In 1990, Foxboro was acquired by Siebe plc, of the United Kingdom, and in 1999, Siebe and British Tire and Rubber, another British engineering firm, merged to form Invensys plc. Invensys plc then united Foxboro and its current sister brands Triconex, SimSci-Esscor and Avantis to form IPS. IPS works with clients to integrate automation, simulation and operations management technologies that help clients execute business strategies.
"Foxboro automation has been setting the industry standard for 100 years, and our experts have contributed numerous innovations to the industry. Now, with more than 50,000 customers worldwide, the Foxboro brand and our people are known throughout the world for quality, reliability and innovation," said IPS Vice President Jack Souza, who directs manufacturing and operations in Foxborough (the official spelling of the town name). "We should also be very proud that the technology and innovation that started here are playing an important part in the long-term success of IPS and Invensys as a whole."
Invensys Process Systems
www.ips.invensys.com
