Our History

HBK’s integrated solutions in test, measurement, control and simulation are backed by decades of experience and profound expertise. Discover more about our history.

Pioneers, Innovators and Experts

HBK was formed in 2019 by the merger of two market-leading organizations: HBM and Brüel & Kjær. Both companies have a long history of providing innovative and high-quality solutions in test and measurement technology for various industries.

However, our journey is a continuous one and the ever-growing HBK constellation reflects our commitment to innovation, the latest technology and new opportunities as we untap the potential of combined knowledge and insight within three physical domains – mechanical, sound and vibration and electrical.

1942

Brüel & Kjær is founded

Per V. Brüel and Viggo Kjær founded the company in Denmark and received a license to trade.

1950

Hottinger Messtechnik is founded

The engineer Karl Hottinger founds Hottinger Messtechnik in a small Bavarian town in Germany.

1958

Brüel & Kjær starts its global expansion

Establishment of sales office in the USA, soon followed by offices throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa over the next few decades.

1973

HBM expands business in the United States of America

Opening first American subsidiary in Marlboro, USA.

1977

First calibration lab

HBM opens the first calibration lab of the German Calibration service (DKD), now DAkkS.

1980

Brüel & Kjær expands into China

Brüel & Kjær becomes the first western electronics firm to set up a service center in the People’s Republic of China.

1991

Danish Primary Laboratory of Acoustics

The Danish government commissions Brüel & Kjær to operate the Danish Primary Laboratory of Acoustics (DPLA).

1997

HBM expands into China

HBM founds its Chinese branch office with connected production site.

2000

HBM and Brüel & Kjær are acquired by Spectris

Spectris is providing customers globally with specialist insight through high-tech instruments, test equipment and software.

2008

Expanding business through acquisitions

Brüel & Kjær acquires LDS Test and Measurement and HBM acquires nCode and SoMat.

2014-15

Further acquisitions

Brüel & Kjær acquires Sound Answers in the USA and HBM acquires FiberSensing in Portugal and ReliaSoft in the USA.

2019

HBK – Hottinger Brüel & Kjær is founded

2019

Acquisition of RightHook

(an AI-Traffic, Sensor company as part of VI-GRADE - our Virtual Test division)

2020

Acquisition of IMTEC

(Provide Simulators & Mechatronic Automation as part of VI-GRADE)

2021

Acquisition of VIMANA

(provider of software and services for smart manufacturing)

2021

Acquisition of Concurrent Real-Time

(Provide Real-Time Computation & Hardware-in-Loop Systems)

2022

Spectris acquires Dytran Instruments

2023

Acquisition of MicroStrain

(Provide high-accuracy inertial, wireless sensors and systems)

2024

Acquisition of Piezocryst

(Provider of high-precision piezoelectric sensor technology)

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Our History

Pioneers, Innovators and Experts

Our History

Brüel & Kjær is founded

Hottinger Messtechnik is founded

Brüel & Kjær starts its global expansion

HBM expands business in the United States of America

First calibration lab

Brüel & Kjær expands into China

Danish Primary Laboratory of Acoustics

HBM expands into China

HBM and Brüel & Kjær are acquired by Spectris

Expanding business through acquisitions

Further acquisitions

HBK – Hottinger Brüel & Kjær is founded

Acquisition of RightHook

Acquisition of IMTEC

Acquisition of VIMANA

Acquisition of Concurrent Real-Time

Spectris acquires Dytran Instruments

Acquisition of MicroStrain

Acquisition of Piezocryst

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