Smiths Detection launches new radiation detector; president steps down

Last week Smiths Detection unveiled its new hand-held radiation detection device that is capable of more accurately identifying radiological and nuclear threats.

The” RadSeeker” is designed to have a wide-range of applications to enable security officials and first responders to detect nuclear threats in addition to scanning cargo for nuclear material.

Brian Boso, the chief scientist at Smiths Detection, said, “RadSeeker puts the most powerful and accurate radiation detection capabilities literally in the palm of the hand.”

“We believe it will greatly increase accuracy, efficiency and versatility in finding and identifying rad-nuc threats,” he added.

According to Boso, with the launch of RadSeeker, “Smiths Detection is now able to provide technology that can detect threats in all major areas of concern to national and homeland security, including: chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive.”

The device is capable of operating in extreme temperatures and weather conditions and can even detect nuclear materials that have been masked or shielded.

RadSeeker’s launch comes after Stephen Phipson, the president of Smiths Group, Smiths Detection’s parent company, announced that he would step down. His decision is a result of weak sales at Smiths Detection.

The company announced that in March sales at Smiths Detection had fallen 9 percent, or more than $400 million, compared to a 7 percent increase in total company sales for the first half of the year.

Smiths Detection accounts for 18 percent of the company’s total sales.

Last Tuesday, the company stated, “Looking to the full year for Smiths Detection, the sales trends seen in the first half are likely to continue through the balance of the year, while full year margins may be affected by the associated operational gearing.”