Spicer Consulting
Spicer Consulting designs and manufactures active magnetic field cancellation, site survey, and environmental monitoring systems used by electron microscope operators, equipment manufacturers, and semiconductor fabs in laboratories and research institutions worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersBedford, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Spicer Consulting does
Spicer Consulting Limited, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Stewartby, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, is a privately held engineering company specializing in active magnetic field cancellation systems for electron microscopes and related electron beam instruments. The company designs and manufactures a portfolio of hardware products centered on three cancelling systems — the entry-level SC22 (AC-only), the higher-performance SC24 (AC and DC), and the SC26 wideband system purpose-built for 300mm semiconductor wafer fabs — complemented by the SC11 family of site survey analyzers and the SC28 long-term environmental monitoring system. The underlying technology uses real-time negative feedback: magnetic field sensors measure ambient interference, and power amplifiers drive currents through three orthogonal multicore cables around the microscope to generate opposing fields, achieving field reductions reported at 50x at 50/60 Hz, greater than 400x at DC (SC24 with DC sensor), and response times of 10–100 microseconds.
The company serves a global customer base spanning academic and government research institutions (Peking University, Hubei University, University of Cambridge, University of Queensland, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory), electron microscope manufacturers (Hitachi High-Technologies, ZEISS), and semiconductor producers (Korean semiconductor industry). Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of cancelling, site survey, and monitoring systems, supplemented by consulting services including pre-installation site surveys, custom magnetic field modelling, and installation support. All products carry Nemko certification. Distribution is conducted exclusively through a network of authorized regional distributors covering Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America, South America, and Australasia, while the UK headquarters retains direct sales for the primary domestic market. A new manufacturing site opened in July 2022 expanded production capacity adjacent to the company's Eden Laboratory headquarters. The firm maintains a strategic relationship with sister company Pope & Meads, which has manufactured critical electron beam instrument components since the mid-1960s.
Spicer Consulting firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Spicer Consulting
- Legal name
- Spicer Consulting Limited
- Website
- https://spicerconsulting.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Spicer Consulting designs and manufactures active magnetic field cancellation, site survey, and environmental monitoring systems used by electron microscope operators, equipment manufacturers, and semiconductor fabs in laboratories and research institutions worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Spicer Consulting industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scientific Instrumentation — Electron Microscope Magnetic Field Cancellation
- NAICS
- Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)
- SIC
- Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transformers & Magnetics (Power/Signal) (HDAHANAD)
Keywords
Where Spicer Consulting is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bedford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Spicer Consulting business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Magnetic Field Cancelling Systems: Sale of magnetic field cancelling hardware systems including SC22, SC24, and SC26 models. Each system comprises a control unit, sensors, and multicore cables. Revenue generated from product sales to laboratories, universities, semiconductor manufacturers, and equipment manufacturers.
- Site Survey Systems: Sale of SC11 site survey equipment for measuring magnetic fields, vibrations and acoustics. Includes SC11 Compact, SC11 Sensor Interface, and SC11 Auto Survey configurations.
- SC28 Monitoring Systems: Sale of continuous environmental monitoring systems for long-term data logging of electron microscope environments.
- Consulting and Installation Services: Pre-installation site surveys, troubleshooting services, custom cancelling system design using proprietary magnetic field modelling software, and worldwide installation support through distributors.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Spicer Consulting product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Spicer Consulting designs, manufactures and sells active magnetic field cancelling systems (SC22, SC24, SC26) that dynamically stabilise ambient magnetic fields around electron microscopes, electron beam lithography tools, CD-SEMs and focused ion beam systems. The portfolio also includes SC11 site survey analysers for pre-installation environmental assessment and the SC28 long-term continuous monitoring system. Sales, installation support and consulting services are delivered globally through a network of authorised regional distributors.
Product overview
Spicer Consulting offers a comprehensive suite of magnetic field management products for electron microscopes and similar sensitive instruments. The product portfolio centers on three magnetic field cancelling systems (SC22, SC24, SC26) that actively stabilize ambient magnetic fields through real-time feedback mechanisms, protecting electron beam tools from electromagnetic interference. Complementing the cancelling systems are three site survey analyzers (SC11 Compact, SC11 Sensor Interface, SC11 Auto Survey) designed to assess environmental conditions before equipment installation. The SC28 Monitoring System provides continuous long-term surveillance of installed instruments. All products work together as an integrated ecosystem: survey systems identify environmental challenges, cancelling systems resolve magnetic field issues, and the monitoring system ensures ongoing performance stability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SC22 Magnetic Field Cancelling System Lower-cost active cancelling system that cancels AC magnetic fields only for all types of electron microscopes; 50x field reduction at 50/60 Hz, 2.5 Hz to 5 kHz bandwidth, adapts to field changes within 100 µs. For laboratories, universities and equipment manufacturers needing basic AC interference suppression.
- SC24 Magnetic Field Cancelling System Higher-performance cancelling system for both AC and DC magnetic fields across all types of electron microscopes; greater than 50x field reduction at 50/60 Hz and greater than 400x reduction at DC, with built-in mixer for dual sensors and automatic DC reset. For advanced research labs, universities, national laboratories and semiconductor customers requiring full AC+DC field suppression.
- SC26 Magnetic Field Cancelling System Wide-bandwidth field cancelling system purpose-designed for 300mm wafer fabs; cancels 9 kHz magnetic fields from wafer transport robots, 20x field reduction at 9 kHz, 200x reduction at DC, and adapts to field changes within 10 µs. For semiconductor manufacturers running CD-SEMs, inspection and metrology tools.
- SC11 Compact Analysis System Portable site survey equipment for measuring AC magnetic fields, vibration and acoustic levels to assess environments for electron microscope installation. For equipment manufacturers, distributors and laboratories conducting pre-installation site surveys.
- SC11 Sensor Interface Analysis System Flexible, configurable site survey system that measures AC/DC magnetic fields, vibration and acoustics using multiple sensor inputs for comprehensive environmental analysis at SEM and TEM installations. For advanced users needing multi-sensor site characterisation.
- SC11 Auto Survey System Fully automated site survey system equipped with 2 DC magnetic field sensors, 3 accelerometers and a precision microphone, providing complete environmental assessment without manual intervention. For equipment manufacturers and large facilities performing routine site qualification.
- SC28 Monitoring System Long-term continuous monitoring system for electron beam instruments that logs magnetic fields, vibrations, acoustics, temperature and humidity at 2 kHz and issues email or traffic light alerts when parameters exceed specifications. For laboratories, universities and semiconductor fabs needing ongoing instrument environment surveillance.
- Consulting and Installation Services Professional services covering pre-installation site surveys, troubleshooting of existing installations, custom cancelling system design using proprietary magnetic field modelling software, and worldwide installation support delivered through distributors. For electron microscope end-users and equipment manufacturers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50x field reduction at 50/60 Hz (SC22), >400x at DC (SC24 with DC sensor)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Spicer Consulting
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Spicer Consulting technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Spicer Consulting partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CN Technical Services LimitedcoreAuthorized distributor for UK, Republic of Ireland, Middle East and South Africa. Provides product information, advice, and support from their facility in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK.
- Eloïse S.A.R.L.coreAuthorized distributor for France, Portugal and Spain. Located at Roissy CDG, France. Has 20 years expertise in distributing and servicing electron microscopes and accessories.
- point electronic GmbHcoreAuthorized distributor for Germany and Benelux Countries. Located in Halle, Germany.
- Xspect Solutions ABcoreAuthorized distributor for Scandinavia and the Baltic states. Located in Enskededalen, Sweden.
- Gloor Instruments AGcoreAuthorized distributor for Switzerland. Located in Kloten, Switzerland.
- Ke Chieh Tech LtdcoreAuthorized distributor for China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines. Offices in Shanghai and Taipei, providing technical and sales support across the Asia-Pacific region.
- Harley InstrumentscoreAuthorized distributor for India. Located in Pune, India.
- Technolab Inc.coreAuthorized distributor for Japan. Located in Yokohama, Japan. Provides technical and sales support for Spicer products.
- Active Solution Co. LtdcoreAuthorized distributor for Korea. Located in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Provides Spicer magnetic field cancelling systems to the Korean semiconductor industry.
- Vibration Engineering ConsultantscoreAuthorized distributor for USA, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. Located in Burlingame, California.
- Herzan LLCcoreAuthorized distributor for USA, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. Located in Laguna Hills, California. Represented Spicer at ISTFA 2023.
- Resonate SystemscoreAuthorized distributor for Australia and New Zealand. Located in Adelaide, SA, Australia.
- PANoptima - Scientific InstrumentscoreAuthorized distributor for Austria and Slovenia. Located in Gumpoldskirchen, Austria.
- Media System LabcoreAuthorized distributor for Italy. Located in Macherio (MB), Italy.
- Nanovision S.r.l.coreAuthorized distributor for Italy. Located in Brugherio (MB), Italy.
- PicoTech Ltd.coreAuthorized distributor for Israel. Located in Petach Tikva, Israel.
- Spicer MagneticscoreUSA and Canada installation and product support. Located in McKinney, Texas.
- Pope & MeadsminorSister company of Spicer Consulting that has been manufacturing critical components for electron beam instruments since the mid-1960's. Both companies share expertise in electron beam technology.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Spicer Consulting competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Brüel & Kjær (HBK): Broad incumbent in sound, vibration and environmental measurement instrumentation for product development and research. While not focused on magnetic field cancellation like Spicer, its environmental monitoring and acoustic/vibration product lines overlap with Spicer's SC11 site survey and SC28 monitoring ecosystem.
- Technical Manufacturing Corporation (TMC): Established US manufacturer of vibration isolation systems for electron microscopes, lasers, and other sensitive instruments. Serves the same EM customer base as Spicer with a broader, more mature catalogue of isolation solutions — a broader incumbent in the EM environmental control category.
Others
- Polytec GmbH: German manufacturer of laser vibrometers and vibration measurement systems for research and industrial applications. Provides complementary environmental measurement instrumentation that addresses the vibration component of EM interference problems alongside Spicer's magnetic field products.
Direct peers
- Metrolab Technology SA: Swiss designer and manufacturer of precision instruments for magnetic field measurement (gaussmeters, teslameters, NMR probes). Operates adjacent to Spicer's magnetic-field measurement ecosystem, with overlapping scientific and industrial customers.
- Bartington Instruments: UK-based manufacturer of fluxgate magnetometers and magnetic field measurement instruments for scientific and industrial applications. Operates in the same magnetic-field measurement domain that underpins Spicer's SC11 site survey and SC28 monitoring products, serving overlapping research customers.
- GMW Associates: Designs and manufactures electromagnets, magnetic field probes, and field measurement systems used in research and industry. Closely comparable to Spicer in providing magnetic field instrumentation for laboratory environments, with overlap in academic and semiconductor metrology customers.
- Accurion GmbH: Provider of active vibration isolation platforms for high-resolution microscopy and nanotechnology. Uses a similar sensor-plus-feedback-actuator architecture to Spicer; both compete for the EM environmental control budget and serve identical customers in semiconductor and academic microscopy.
- Herzan LLC: Manufacturer of active vibration isolation systems for electron microscopes and other sensitive scientific instruments. Competes for the same EM environmental improvement budget as Spicer, addressing vibration while Spicer addresses magnetics; Herzan is also a Spicer distributor for North America, confirming shared customer relationships and complementary positioning.
Emerging players
- Minus K Technology: US specialist in passive, mechanical negative-stiffness vibration isolation tables for microscopy, metrology, and nanotechnology. Targets the same EM user base as Spicer with vibration isolation, representing an alternative technology approach within the EM environmental control ecosystem.
- Magnetic Shield Corporation: US specialist in passive magnetic shielding using mu-metal enclosures and shielded rooms. Offers an alternative architecture (passive shielding) to Spicer's active cancellation, addressing the same class of magnetic-field interference problems in laboratory and manufacturing environments.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses3 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Spicer Consulting social profiles
Digital presenceSpicer Consulting compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Spicer Consulting financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Spicer Consulting leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Spicer Consulting funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Spicer Consulting M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Spicer Consulting
What does Spicer Consulting do?
Spicer Consulting designs, manufactures and sells active magnetic field cancelling systems (SC22, SC24, SC26) that dynamically stabilise ambient magnetic fields around electron microscopes, electron beam lithography tools, CD-SEMs and focused ion beam systems. The portfolio also includes SC11 site survey analysers for pre-installation environmental assessment and the SC28 long-term continuous monitoring system. Sales, installation support and consulting services are delivered globally through a network of authorised regional distributors.
Is Spicer Consulting a public or private company?
Spicer Consulting is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Spicer Consulting founded?
Spicer Consulting was founded in 1988. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Spicer Consulting based?
Spicer Consulting is headquartered in Bedford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Spicer Consulting make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Magnetic Field Cancelling Systems are the primary driver. The others are site Survey Systems, SC28 Monitoring Systems and consulting and Installation Services.
Who are Spicer Consulting's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Brüel & Kjær (HBK) and Technical Manufacturing Corporation (TMC). Polytec GmbH is listed as an others. Direct peers are Metrolab Technology SA, Bartington Instruments, GMW Associates, Accurion GmbH and Herzan LLC. Emerging players are Minus K Technology and Magnetic Shield Corporation.
Does Spicer Consulting have an API?
No public API is recorded for Spicer Consulting.
What industry is Spicer Consulting in?
Spicer Consulting's product category is Scientific Instrumentation — Electron Microscope Magnetic Field Cancellation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHANAD, Transformers & Magnetics (Power/Signal). Its NAICS code is 334515 and its SIC code is 3825.