History

1980-2000

1980

Founders Doug Kell, Bob Todd, and Barry Wise came together at the Centre for Alternative Technology while volunteering and working for Dulas Engineering, the renewable technology business part of CAT. In 1980 it was know as the National Centre for Alternate Technology (NCAT).

1985

Electronic measurement device with three digital displays and multiple knobs and switches on the front panel, connected by a long cable to a rectangular sensor or probe resting on a red surface.

Doug suggests there is a market for measuring viable biomass using radio frequency dielectric spectroscopy. Bob embarks on creating the first prototype instrument to measure cells using capacitance.

1986

SMART Award 1 (Small firms Merit Award for Research and Technology).
Funds used to employ John Williams as an electronics technician who would become our 4th founder.

1987

Black and white photo of six men standing outside a wooden building under a sign reading 'Duas Engineering', two men handshake while holding a small model or object.

SMART Award 2.
First Biomass Instruments start to sell.

1988

Single-story building with a sloped tiled roof, brick walls, and large windows, viewed from a paved driveway with a red station wagon parked near the entrance.

Founded ABER Instruments Limited and moved to Aberystwyth Science Park.

1998

Two men stand side by side in front of green display boards labeled 'Aber Instruments Ltd.' and 'On-Line Viable Biomass Instrumentation'; the man on the left, wearing a suit and colorful tie, smiles and holds a wooden base with a device, while the man on the right, dressed in an ornate military uniform with medals and a red and black hat, holds a framed official document.

Queen's Award for Export Achievment.

2002-2020

2000

Founders started exploring Employee Ownership.

2002

Trusts created and transition to Employee Ownership begins.

2012

ABER becomes 100% Employee Owned
employeeownership.co.uk

2015

A group of people socializing indoors near a bar counter with shelves of bottles; some stand conversing while one woman sits at a table with cups and glasses.

Employees create first ever Guiding Purpose, and set up the Employee Ownership Trust, ABER Profit Sharing and Employee Dividends.

2017

Six people standing in front of a brick wall with a plaque reading 'ABER,' posing for a group photo, some holding glasses, dressed in business casual attire.

Founded ABER Instruments Inc in Alexandria, Virgina, USA to support the Americas markets.

2018

Six people sitting around a large conference table in a modern meeting room with notebooks and a water bottle, facing the camera and smiling.

Employees refine the Guiding Purpose. The articles are changed to ensure long-term Employee Ownership, Ethos & Values and Charitable Giving is defined.
Creation of first Employee Council.
Growing business expands into Unit 11, allowing Unit 5 to be redeveloped into a dedicated high spec manufacturing building.

2019

First thoughts about requiring a Group structure to protect our culture and invest for the long term.

2020

During the pandemic, the business sees significant growth in both people and revenues.
Acquisition of optical technology.

2021-2026

2023

A group of diverse people seated indoors raising their hands, appearing to participate in a meeting or event, with a camera on a tripod and digital clock on the wall in the background.

ABER Owners' Conference, new strategy, including exploring and defining ABER's structure.
June 2023 - Employees Vote (100% yes) to create Aber Group and restructure ABER for the very long-term future, including further refining our Guiding Purpose, and creating the Employee Senedd.

2024

Two men sitting at a table reviewing and marking multiple stacks of documents with pens; the man on the left wears glasses and a plaid shirt, while the man on the right wears a white shirt with the word 'ABER' on it.

Completion of the restructure, active management of Aber Group, and strategy development, with further expansion requiring Business Services to move to Unit 9.

2025

A man with glasses and a beard wearing a dark shirt is giving a presentation to an audience seated facing him. The presentation slide displayed reads 'Why is 'Why' important' and lists three points: helps make decisions including big picture and day-to-day decisions, people buy why you do it, not just what you do, and it distinguishes from competition.

Completion of Why and Vision, Mission & Objectives for Aber Group, launch internal entrepreneur scheme.

2026

Two men smiling and shaking hands in a modern office or lab setting with computer equipment in the background.

Change in leadership as ABER Instruments takes on a new MD, Lucas Brookes, allowing Matt Lee to focus on Aber Group. Launch of Aber Group website and external new venture activities.

Our history