European Instruments is an independent, family owned business. 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 the 1st January 1973.

He started his working life as an apprentice scientific instrument maker in 1954. On completion of his apprenticeship in 1960 he joined L Oertling, the British Balance Manufacturer, as a service engineer.

In 1964 he joined Shandon Scientific as a sales representative and later became a product manager, mainly responsible for their range of Sauter balances. At the time Sauter was one of the first and leading manufacturers of mechanical top pan balances.

Shandon Scientific was taken over and Tony was made redundant at the end of 1972 and it was agreed that he would take over the Shandon balance service business. An office was set up near High Wycombe in the home of Tony and Frances, who ran the office. Later the office was moved to a premises near the town centre.

In the early days the business concentrated on selling Sauter balances, but soon started to supply balances from all the leading manufacturers including Sartorius, Mettler and Ohaus. Right from the very start service and calibration was an important part of the business, in addition special adaptations were carried out for glove box and other applications for a variety of customers including the Ministry of Defence. In 1989 this resulted in an order for over 350 balances designed to a high specification, which was won in competition with leading manufacturers.

In 1982 the company moved to Headington, Oxford where it remains to this day. Building upon our knowledge and expertise in the calibration of weighing equipment we expanded our range of services to include mass, pipettes and temperature calibration.

Tony passed away on the 6th May 2019.

He is sadly missed by his family and friends and will be remembered by many as a respected icon within our industry.