Page 9 - Remembering ISTEL
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Remembering ISTEL
ISTEL Achievements
From its formation as BL Systems Limited until its purchase by AT&T, ISTEL:
Built a large state of the art data centre at Moons Moat
Had offices in Grosvenor House, Highfield House , Springfield House, Regent’s
Court, Market Square and various satellite sites in Redditch
Built a microwave tower so high that it must have lights to warn aircraft.
In 1991 employed 1,800 in Redditch and 4,000 people in total and was the
largest non-public service employer in Redditch in the 1980s
Provided IT services to Automotive, Finance, Commerce, Travel and Healthcare
market sectors.
Built the first private data network in Europe.
Launched Britain’s first commercial e-mail Service .
Was sold to US AT&T in 1989 for £80 million.
Contributed significantly to the local Redditch economy.
Invested heavily in Motor Sport sponsorship including Tourist Trophy races at
Silverstone.
Invested heavily in training their staff which resulted in a happy committed
workforce with very low turnover of staff.
Remembering ISTEL seeks to ensure that ISTEL’s achievements and its place as
the dominant employer in Redditch in the last quarter of the 20 century are
th
recognised as significant to Redditch Local History.
ISTEL Achievements Time line
ISTEL can be considered as existing in three phases.
The BL Systems Deparrtment years
The BL Systems Limited & ISTEL Ltd. years
The AT&T ISTEL years.
In this middle phase fro 1978 to 1986 its achievements against time were
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