Safeguard Scientifics Celebrates 40 Years of Trading on the NYSE
Posted by | July 14, 2011
Safeguard Scientifics will commemorate its 40th anniversary of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) by ringing today’s Closing Bell.
Safeguard started trading on the NYSE on April 20, 1971. At the time, it was one of 1,400 American companies publicly listed. Today, there are over 2,400 companies listed on the NYSE. Con Edison, listed in 1824 (as the New York Gas Light Company) is the longest listed company on the NYSE.
This morning, Safeguard issued a press release in which our CEO said, “This milestone distinguishes Safeguard as the 257th oldest company listed on the NYSE. The Safeguard brand has been synonymous with entrepreneurship and innovation for more than 60 years. For forty of those years, Safeguard has been a proud member of the NYSE, able to extend success to our shareholders. Safeguard has a distinguished record of building market leaders by providing capital and operational support to entrepreneurs across an evolving spectrum of innovative industries. Our significant accomplishments would not be possible without the hard work and support from our employees, partners, shareholders and the business community at large.”
Forty days ago, we launched a microsite to feature 40 Days and 40 Facts about Safeguard, where we’ve been highlighting various historical and interesting facts about Safeguard and our partner companies. You can find our microsite at SFE40.safeguard.com, but here are some key takeways:
- Safeguard Scientifics is the 21st oldest Pennsylvania-based company listed on the NYSE and the 8th oldest company in the Greater Philadelphia area.
- Safeguard Scientifics was originally founded in 1953 as the Lancaster Corporation.
- Safeguard initially backed two companies. The first was a then fledging cable television company called Jerrold Electronics. We now know this company as Comcast.
- The second investment, Safeguard Industries, originally founded as the Safe-Guard Check Writer Corporation, proved to be a success and became Lancaster’s subsidiary, changing its name to Safeguard Scientifics in May 1981.
- To date, Safeguard Scientifics has completed more than 100 M&A transactions and over 20 IPOs. Over the years we have fostered household names and industry leaders such as Novell, QVC, CompuCom, Traffic.com, Cambridge Technology partners and ICG.
The bell ringing will be broadcast live from the NYSE’s website (www.nyse.com) starting at 3:55 p.m. ET. An archived video of The Closing Bell will be available for viewing and/or downloading approximately at 30 minutes after the event and on Safeguard’s microsite at SFE40.safeguard.com.
