Acquisition

Oxford Instruments PLC
2 October 2000


                  Oxford Instruments plc acquires
                     Austin Scientific Company
                                 
Oxford Instruments plc, the advanced instrumentation company, announces today
that its wholly owned subsidiary, Oxford Superconducting Technology (OST),
Carteret, New Jersey has acquired Austin Scientific Company, a privately owned
US Corporation, based in Austin, Texas with effect from 1 October 2000.

The total net cash consideration payable on the acquisition is expected to be
around US$6 million representing net tangible assets acquired of approximately
US$1.5 million and associated goodwill of US$4.5 million.  The final price is
subject to the value of the net tangible assets as shown in the completion
accounts.  For the year to 30 September 2000 Austin Scientific is expected to
produce earnings of US$1 million on turnover of US$7 million.

OST is a world leader in the design and manufacture of superconducting wire
used predominantly in the manufacture of magnets for the Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI),  Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Research markets.  OST
also offers a full field based service support as well as an in house repair
facility for MRI magnets installed in North and South America.

Austin Scientific, established in 1979, specializes in the manufacture and
repair of cryopumps, cryogenic coolers and helium compressors for the
semiconductor and medical equipment fields as well as research markets. 
Austin Scientific's manufacturing and primary repair facility is located in
Austin, Texas.  The company also maintains a separate sales and repair
facility in Santa Clara, California.

Andrew Mackintosh, Chief Executive of Oxford Instruments plc, said:  'Austin
Scientific is a well established business which is a valued supplier to OST
and which also serves other important markets.  This acquisition will enhance
our growing service activity and will also open up new opportunities by
combining the strengths of both OST and Austin Scientific.'

Enquiries:

Oxford Instruments plc                  01865 881437
Andrew Mackintosh
Martin Lamaison

Citigate Dewe Rogerson                  020 7638 9571
Chris Barrie/Melanie York

Notes to editors
Oxford Instruments

Oxford Instruments is a global leader in advanced instrumentation. It is a
recognised world leader in several technologies, including superconductivity
and the creation of low temperatures and in neurological measurements.  The
Company's products are used around the world for scientific research,
industrial chemical analysis and quality control, semiconductor processing and
healthcare.  Its customers include most of the world's major international
companies as well as the leading research institutes.