Royal visitor takes time out to tour ETL Systems at presentation of third Queen’s Award

HRH the Duke of Gloucester (left) chats with Ian Hilditch, Managing Director of

ETL Systems (right) as MP Jesse Norman looks on 30^th October 2013. The cousin of Queen Elizabeth was taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of ETL Systems today as he presented the company with its third Queen’s Award for Enterprise. 

HRH the Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO was given a tour of ETL, a global designer and manufacturer of RF distribution equipment for satellite communications, after presenting the Queen’s Award Rose Bowl to CTO Dr Esen Bayar and CEO Ian Hilditch. 

As well as viewing ETL’s specialist RF design department, its Surface Mount-technology (SMT) lines and extensive test department, HRH the Duke of Gloucester also met all 76 members of staff employed at the purpose built factory, which is located next to the BT Madley Satellite Teleport.  

“We were delighted to welcome HRH the Duke of Gloucester to ETL and particularly flattered that he was so interested in our state-of-the-art facilities,” said Ian Hilditch, Managing Director of ETL Systems. “ETL is going through an exciting period of growth and to be able to share this with such a prestigious guest really marks our success in the global satellite industry.” 

ETL’s latest Queen’s Award recognises the company’s growing international trade which now represents 75 per cent of total revenues. Its resilient RF distribution products are well known for quality & reliability and new markets include Australia, South Korea, Japan, South Africa and Indonesia. 

Earlier this year ETL opened a brand new US headquarters to take advantage of its ongoing expansion in North America. As a result it has seen a significant increase in US sales, with more than 40 percent of its turnover now coming from the region.    

“The royal family is one of Great Britain’s most historic and treasured families and we’re very honoured to have had one of them among us today – but here at ETL all our customers are like royalty so it’ll be straight back to business,” added Andrew Bond, Regional Sales Director of ETL Systems. 

This successful British brand has a solid heritage having been designing and manufacturing RF equipment since 1984. Many of the world’s leading satellite operators, teleports and broadcasters rely on ETL’s designs to distribute live satellite feeds to millions of viewers.