Smiths Group Establishes Washington, D.C. Office to Support Large U.S. Economic and Manufacturing Footprint

Leading Supplier of Advanced Technologies for Security, Inspection, Medical, Energy, Communications and Engineered Components Hires Veteran Team

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Smiths Group, Plc, a world leader in the practical application of advanced technologies, announced today it is establishing a U.S. corporate affairs office in Washington, D.C.  Smiths Group delivers products and services for the security and inspection, medical, energy, communications and engineered components markets, generating $2.2 billion in economic activity and supporting more than 9,000 employees in the U.S. Smiths Group divisions include Smiths Medical, John Crane, Smiths Detection, Smiths Interconnect, and Flex-Tek.

"Smiths Group helps millions of Americans lead safer, healthier and more productive lives every day through the hard work and dedication of thousands of highly-skilled workers in more than 100 facilities in 40 states," said Philip Bowman, Chief Executive Officer.  "We felt it was very important to have a highly-respected team of professionals fully dedicated to protecting the interests of these employees and supporting our strategic focus on growing and creating new jobs in the U.S."

The Smiths Group Washington office will be led by Chris Swonger, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, a 21-year public affairs veteran, representing elected officials and delivering high-performance corporate affairs strategies for global consumer goods companies.  He moved to Smiths Group to lead the company's U.S. corporate affairs efforts from Fortune Brands, where he led public affairs.  Prior to joining Fortune Brands, Swonger led government affairs, corporate communications and social responsibility for Fortune Brands' subsidiary, Beam Global Spirits & Wine.  Before joining Beam Global in 2005, Swonger led North American corporate affairs for Allied Domecq.  

Hasbrouck Miller, Vice President, Government Relations joins Smiths Group from Smiths Detection, a division of Smiths Group. Brook led government relations for Smiths Detections' Security and Infrastructure business.  He has been involved in the security and technology business for over 12 years as head of Sales/Marketing and Business Development with Barringer Instruments and after with Smiths Detection as manager of the TSA and other DHS-related agencies.

Kevin Schmidt, Vice President, Government Relations joins Smiths Group from Smiths Detection, a division of Smiths Group.  Kevin led government relations for Smiths Detections' Military and Emergency Response business.  Prior to joining Smiths Detection, Kevin served as the Director of Intelligence and Operations in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.  Previously, he worked for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) as a professional staff member for the U.S. Congress.

Barbara Riegner, Office Manager, joins Smiths Group from Fortune Brands where she served as Office Manager for the Washington government relations office, as well as for Beam Global Spirits & Wine and Allied Domecq.  Barbara has served in all aspects of government, beginning with a 17-year career at the White House working for several Chiefs of Staff.

About Smiths Group Plc.  

Smiths Group, Plc, is a world leader in the practical application of advanced technologies, making the world safer, healthier and more productive by delivering products and services for the threat & contraband detection, medical devices, energy, communications and engineered components markets worldwide. In 2009, Smiths Group – comprising Smiths Detection, Smiths Interconnect, Smiths Medical, John Crane and Flex-Tek – generated revenues of $4.2 billion and employed more than 23,000 people worldwide.  In the U.S. alone, Smiths Group companies generate approximately $2.2 billion in economic activity and support 9,000 jobs.

Smiths Medical:  An eminent supplier of specialist medical devices and equipment for global markets with products focused on medication delivery, vital care and safety devices.

John Crane: A world-leading provider of products and services for major process industries: oil and gas, power generation, chemical, pharmaceutical, pulp, paper and mining sectors.

Smiths Detection: A top global designer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify explosives, narcotics, weapons, chemical agents, biohazards and contraband.

Smiths Interconnect:  An internationally-recognized provider of technically differentiated electronic components and sub-systems providing signal power and microwave solutions.  Its products connect, protect and control critical systems for wireless communications, aerospace, defense, space, medical, rail and industrial markets.

Flex-Tek:  A leading provider of engineered components to transmit heat, fluids and gases for the aerospace, medical, industrial and construction markets.

For more information about Smiths Group's operations in the U.S., please visit our U.S. Fact Book.

SOURCE Smiths Group, Plc