That is why Ricardo is celebrating its centennial with a year’s worth of events. It is a fine accomplishment for any business, and few companies globally can match Ricardo’s track record of achievement in the development of innovations for improved energy efficiency, cleaner fuels, reduced noxious emissions and noise and leadership in creating new disruptive technologies.
As the company enters its centenary year, a range of events and celebrations is planned, culminating in the mid-2015 launch of the low carbon Vehicle Emissions Research Centre (VERC) at the Ricardo Shoreham Technical Centre in Southern England. This new $15 million facility will enable the development of next-generation of low carbon vehicles including advanced technology hybrid electric vehicles and their associated energy regeneration systems.
Founded as Engine Patents Ltd. on Feb. 8, 1915, and formally registered on Aug. 10 the same year, the company that is today known as Ricardo plc was the original creation of Harry (later Sir Harry) Ricardo. Its first major success was the design of an engine which transformed the performance of the first battle tank during World War I.
The design incorporated a range of new technologies to reduce smoke and improve performance and efficiency in the arduous environment of the western front. Used in a range of applications from railway shunting locomotives to generator sets as well as in tanks, the Ricardo engine was the most powerful and reliable automotive power unit available to the allies, and became the U.K.’s first mass manufactured engine. The proceeds of this early success endowed Harry Ricardo with the resources to create the technical center in Shoreham, which remains the U.K. and world headquarters of the company that he founded. Ricardo had revenue of $346 million (£229.7 million) in 2013.
Unlike many firms of that period, the Ricardo company was – as its original name of Engine Patents Ltd. implies – focused from the outset on the creation of new technologies and innovations, as opposed to engaging directly in the mass manufacture of engines or vehicles. Performance and sustainability have been the key watchwords over the 100 years, the company said.
The Ricardo centenary year will commence with a series of employee events at each of the company’s many international sites across the U.K., Europe, the United States and Asia. The first public aspect of the centenary festivities was the launch earlier this month of the Ricardo 100 website – www.ricardo100.com – which will be used to provide information throughout the year on the milestone.