European Instruments is a independent business with 50+ years’ experience. We specialise in the delivery of Calibration Services and the supply of Laboratory and Weighing equipment, to a range of commercial and public sector organisations in the UK. We employ a team of 30 people, who are located at our head office in Oxford as well as, a team of field based engineers who are located at strategic points around the UK, including Scotland.
European Instruments are UKAS accredited for the calibration of:
- Weights
- Pipettes
- Mass
We offer service and calibration for:
- Weighing Equipment Calibration & Service
- Pipette Calibration & Service
- Weight Calibration
- Temperature Calibration
- Ductless Fume Enclosure Service
We supply new products:
- Laboratory Balances & Industrial Scales
- Calibration Weights & Test Weights
- Laboratory Equipment
History
Tony Morris founded European Instruments on 1 January 1973.
He began his career in 1954 as an apprentice scientific instrument maker. After completing his apprenticeship in 1960, he joined L Oertling (the British balance manufacturer) as a service engineer. In 1964, Tony moved to Shandon Scientific, first as a sales representative and later as a product manager, with responsibility for their range of Sauter balances—then among the leading manufacturers of mechanical top-pan balances.
Following Shandon Scientific’s takeover, Tony was made redundant at the end of 1972. It was agreed he would take over the Shandon balance service business, and European Instruments was born. The first office was run from Tony and Frances’ home near High Wycombe, before later moving to premises closer to the town centre.
In the early years, the business focused on supplying Sauter balances, but quickly expanded to include leading manufacturers such as Sartorius, Mettler, and Ohaus. From the outset, service and calibration were central to the company, alongside specialist adaptations for glove box and other applications for customers including the Ministry of Defence. In 1989, this expertise led to a major contract—an order for over 350 high-specification balances—won in competition with leading manufacturers.
In 1982, the company moved to Headington, Oxford, where it remains today. Building on our strengths in weighing calibration, we later expanded into mass, pipette, and temperature calibration.
Tony passed away on 6 May 2019. He is deeply missed by his family and friends, and remembered by many as a respected figure in our industry.