Aptifirst is a dynamic, high-technology company distributing a wide range of signal conditioning and process control electronics, and designing and building materials testing and other instruments. We have a breadth of experience in process instrumentation and in designing and building instruments amd machines for special applications, for example for rheological testing of materials, or weighing and measuring products. We also offer a range of sapphire window optical process probes, extrusion dies, customised instrument packages and consultancy. And there's more to come!

The Company is based in Mountsorrel, on the edge of the Charnwood Forest, in the National Forest, midway between Leicester and Loughborough, in the Heart of England, around 160 km from London. The closest airport to us is the East Midlands Airport, although Birmingham, Manchester and the London airports are within an hour or so's drive. The nearest railway stations are at Loughborough and Leicester.

The National Space Science Centre (right) is only around 6 km away, and we frequently hear whistles from the nearby Great Central Railway, a preserved steam line which featured in the film 'Enigma', amongst others. John Merrick, the "Elephant Man", came from Leicester, as did Monty Python's late Graham Chapman, playwright Joe Orton and novelist Sue Townsend (as any fule no!). A local lake is dedicated to Shakespeare's King Lear, which was reputedly based on a local chieftain of long ago who was buried near the River Soar. Also, we have the largest granite quarry in Europe; the daily blast, usually between 12.30 and 1.00pm, serves as our reminder to go to lunch!

Not far away from our base is the birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton, who may well be considered the Founder of modern rheology as it was he who defined viscosity. He was born near Grantham in Lincolnshire, around 50 km from us. We have included a Web page about some aspects of Newton's life and work and some photographs. We hope that you enjoy them. Our Managing Director, Roy Carter, went to the same school as Lincoln, although, contrary to the views of his children, he did not know him personally!