The History of Bently Nevada

Early Beginnings:

• 1955: Founder Don Bently, an MIT graduate, starts selling instrumentation from his garage, laying the foundation for what would become Bently Nevada.

• 1956: Bently Scientific Company is established in Berkeley, California.

• 1961: The company relocates to Minden, Nevada, and incorporates as Bently Nevada Corporation with a small team of three.

Pioneering Technology:

• 1960s: Bently Nevada develops groundbreaking Eddy current proximity probes, revolutionizing machinery vibration monitoring.

• 1970s-1990s: The company introduces a series of innovative products, including the 5000, 1700, 9000, and 3300 monitoring systems, solidifying its position as a leader in the field.

Growth and Acquisitions:

• 2002: Bently Nevada is acquired by General Electric (GE) and becomes part of GE Oil and Gas, expanding its reach and resources.

• 2014: GE Oil and Gas is acquired by Baker Hughes, bringing Bently Nevada under the Baker Hughes umbrella.

Present Day:

• 2023: Bently Nevada continues to operate as a Baker Hughes business, focusing on Asset Performance Management (APM) solutions for various industries.

• The company offers a comprehensive suite of monitoring, diagnostics, and prognostics technologies, helping clients optimize asset performance, minimize downtime, and ensure safety.

Key Milestones:

• 1955: Start of instrumentation sales

• 1961: Incorporation of Bently Nevada Corporation

• 1960s: Introduction of Eddy current proximity probes

• 1970s-1990s: Development of leading monitoring systems

• 2002: Acquisition by General Electric

• 2014: Acquisition by Baker Hughes

• 2023: Focus on Asset Performance Management solutions