Renishaw Reports Record First-Quarter Revenue as Semiconductor Demand Accelerates
Renishaw has announced record quarterly revenue of £251.8 million ($334.9 million )for the three months ended 30 September 2026, representing a 47% increase compared with the same period last year. The results mark a strong start to the company’s 2027 financial year, with growth reported across all three business segments and all three geographic regions.
Revenue was also 3% higher than in the final quarter of FY2026, extending the momentum established during the second half of the previous financial year. At constant exchange rates, first-quarter revenue increased by 48% year on year.
The Gloucestershire-based engineering group attributed the performance to continued demand from semiconductor, aerospace and defence customers, alongside improving activity across wider industrial and automation markets. The company continues to expect strong progress in revenue and operating margin for FY2027 as a whole, although it has not raised its full-year guidance.
Position Measurement Leads Growth
Renishaw’s Position Measurement business recorded the strongest growth, with quarterly revenue reaching £96.0 million ($127.7 million), compared with £52.1 million ($69.3 million) in the corresponding period last year. This represented an increase of 84% at reported exchange rates and 85% at constant exchange rates.
Revenue was also 17% higher than in the preceding quarter, establishing a new quarterly record for the segment.
Growth was driven primarily by demand for open optical and laser encoders used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. These technologies provide precise position feedback for the increasingly demanding motion-control systems used in advanced manufacturing processes.
Renishaw reported a further increase in its order book and is investing in additional manufacturing capacity to meet demand. The business is also seeing growing interest in encoders designed for harsh operating environments, including applications in automation, robotics and space.
Industrial Metrology Continues to Strengthen
Industrial Metrology, Renishaw’s largest business segment by revenue, generated £130.8 million ($174.0 million) during the quarter, up from £102.0 million ($135.7 million) a year earlier. This represented growth of 28% at reported exchange rates and 29% at constant exchange rates.
Revenue was 9% higher than in the fourth quarter of FY2026, indicating an improvement in activity following a relatively flat year for some traditional metrology products.
The company reported growing demand for its five-axis coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and shop-floor gauging systems, alongside an expanding order book.
Sales of metrology sensors to machine tool and measuring machine manufacturers also improved. Renishaw highlighted stronger demand from aerospace and defence, energy and consumer electronics customers.
The results suggest that investment in dimensional inspection and measurement technologies is strengthening alongside demand for the precision equipment used in advanced manufacturing. Five-axis measurement systems and shop-floor gauging can help manufacturers inspect complex components and bring dimensional verification closer to production operations.
Additive Manufacturing Supports Specialised Technologies
Renishaw’s Specialised Technologies segment reported first-quarter revenue of £25.0 million ($33.25 million), compared with £16.7 million ($22.2 million) in the same period last year. This represented growth of 50% at both reported and constant exchange rates.
The principal growth driver was additive manufacturing, with demand for metal additive manufacturing systems from aerospace, defence and medical customers.
Although revenue was below the £42.7 million ($56.8 million) recorded in the final quarter of FY2026, this followed what the company described as an exceptionally strong preceding quarter. Renishaw reported that the segment’s order book had strengthened.
Within the broader Specialised Technologies business, spectroscopy revenue was marginally lower than a year earlier, despite an improved order book. The company also confirmed that the proposed divestment of its neurological business remains in progress.
Manufacturing Capacity and Outlook
The first-quarter results extend the improvement reported by Renishaw for FY2026, when full-year revenue reached a record £815.8 million ($1085 million). Demand from semiconductor manufacturing equipment suppliers remains a significant growth driver, while aerospace, defence and wider industrial automation are providing additional opportunities.
Renishaw is continuing to invest in manufacturing capacity and working with its supply chain to support higher production volumes. The company has, however, emphasised the importance of remaining mindful of the cyclical nature of demand over the medium term.
The latest trading update provides further evidence of the importance of precision measurement and position feedback technologies in advanced manufacturing. From dimensional inspection and shop-floor gauging to the encoders that control movement in semiconductor production equipment, Renishaw’s results reflect demand across several interconnected areas of industrial technology.
Renishaw said it continues to expect strong progress in revenue and operating margin for the full FY2027 financial year.
For more information: www.renishaw.com
