Johnson Matthey is a speciality chemicals company focused on its core skills in precious metals, catalysts, colours and coatings and pharmaceutical materials. The group's principal activities are the manufacture of autocatalysts and pollution control systems; catalysts and components for fuel cells; pharmaceutical compounds; process catalysts and speciality chemicals; the refining, fabrication and marketing of precious metals; and the manufacture of colours and coatings for the ceramic, glass, paint and plastics industries.

In the financial year to 31st March 2003, Johnson Matthey’s sales were £4,324 million. Sales excluding the value of precious metals were £1,159 million. Operating profit before exceptional items and goodwill amortisation was £205.7 million. Profit before tax, exceptional items and goodwill amortisation was £192.5 million. Earnings per share before exceptional items and goodwill amortisation and dividend per share were 62.6 pence and 25.5 pence respectively.

History of Johnson Matthey

Johnson Matthey has a proud heritage. The company was founded by Percival Norton Johnson in 1817 and in 1851 he was joined by George Matthey to form the partnership Johnson & Matthey. Johnson Matthey became a limited company on 11th April 1891. The business was built on a reputation of honesty, integrity and technical expertise in the assaying of gold and other precious metals. To this day these values remain central to the success of the company.

Johnson Matthey was appointed Official Assayer and Refiner to the Bank of England in 1852. The company produced the first standard metre and standard weights in iridium-platinum for the International Metric Commission in 1874.

In 1928 Johnson Matthey developed the only process for refining platinum group metals from Rustenburg ores. As the leading refiner of precious metals Johnson Matthey has pioneered the development of secondary refining and recycling processes to maximise the recovery of precious metals.

In 1976 Johnson Matthey received the first of many awards for the development of catalyst technology to reduce vehicle exhaust emissions.

Johnson Matthey Today

Johnson Matthey has more than 70 production sites and a worldwide network of research and development centres. We operate in 34 countries and employ 7,500 people. Our products are sold across the world to a wide range of advanced technology industries.

Johnson Matthey is a growth company. This has mainly been achieved organically but recent years have seen the acquisition of a number of businesses that are closely aligned to Johnson Matthey’s core strengths.