ETL Systems

In 1984, the story of ETL Systems began, not in a bustling tech hub, but in Herefordshire, UK. In 2003, the company found its key architects when Ian Hilditch and Dr. Esen Bayar led a management buy-in. They didn't build software to manage data, a common misconception given the name; they designed and manufactured highly specialized radio frequency (RF) equipment for the satellite communications industry. Think of them as the crucial plumbing between the satellite dish and the modem, ensuring signals from space reach their terrestrial destinations intact. Their client list grew to include major broadcasters, governments, and defense organizations. A pivotal chapter began in January 2020 when private equity firm CBPE Capital made a significant investment in the company. This wasn't a typical founder exit, but a strategic partnership to fuel the next stage of growth. The investment enabled ETL to accelerate its expansion plans, capitalizing on the increasing demand for global connectivity and data transmission. Following the investment, the company continued its trajectory, acquiring Atlantic Microwave in 2019, SpacePath Communications in 2024, and IRT Technologies in 2025, broadening its range of critical satellite communication components. Today, ETL Systems operates as a quiet giant, its technology forming an essential, yet often invisible, part of our connected world.