Celebrating 30 Years
We are thrilled to be celebrating our 30th year anniversary. Upon reaching a company milestone, we reflect on thirty years of engineering excellence, combatting challenges with breakthrough innovative solutions. As a collective strength, we thrive with energy and passion. We’ve built our company to become one of the strongest system integrators of emissions monitoring and gas detection equipment.
On Thursday 21st November, a1-cbiss celebrated the 30th year anniversary. To celebrate the milestone, we decided to host a team-building day at the head office in Tranmere during the afternoon. The day was almost a non-starter following a power outage that occurred first thing in the morning plunging the building into darkness.
Once the power was back on, the fun and games began. The majority of the company was in attendance and were split into 5 teams competing against eachother.
The bright sparks competed in a quiz, Pictionary was electrifying, taskmaster engaged the creative sparks, and the sports day lit the blue touch paper.
Alongside the games, Managing Director Sam Thorneycroft hosted a presentation that illustrated how the company began, how we’ve grown throughout the years and the strategy for the forthcoming years.
The day was also a celebration for George Forster, our Software Manager. George has been with a1-cbiss since 1994 and to mark the occasion, a1-cbiss treated George for his long-term loyalty to a new watch.
The Beginning
Back in 1989, owner and Managing Director, Peter McQue established CBISS Design from his own home. Ran as a one-man organisation, CBISS Design specialised in analyser sampling systems and sample conditioning. Following early success, Peter moved the business to a private workshop.
Timeline
1989
Custom Built Intelligent Sampling Systems (CBISS) Design established by Peter McQue
The MK 1 sampling system was launched
1992
CBISS sign agreement with A+ Corporation to supply sample conditioning equipment
1994
Following George Forster’s arrival, the software department was created
1996
CBISS sign agreement with Gassonic to sell their acoustic leak detectors
CBISS achieve ISO9001 accreditation
1997
CBISS sign agency agreement with Environnement SA to supply CEMS into the UK
Stuart Barrowcliff becomes CBISS’ first apprentice
1999
Following the 10 year anniversary, the company moves to its new home at Ark Royal Way, Lairdside Technology Park in Tranmere. A move that helped the company develop by taking on larger projects and more staff
2004
CBISS Data Acquisition Software (CDAS) version 1 launched
2006
CBISS acquired by Diploma PLC within the a1-envirosciences group
CBISS changes its name to a1-cbiss
Ken Roberts becomes General Manager
MK3 sampler launched
2007
a1-cbiss expands product portfolio into Gas Detection (brands; Gastec, App-tek, ISC, Oldham)
a1-cbiss move head office to Maritime House, Wallasey to accommodate growing sales, marketing, and finance teams who now have responsibilities for the a1-envirosciences group
2008
Major agreement with Marks & Spencer for the supply of the Automatic Refrigerant Monitoring System (ARMS) to satisfy the F-Gas regulations
Neil Kane becomes MD
2009
CDAS achieves MCERTS accreditation
Mark Taylor becomes MD
2010
a1-cbiss complete their biggest projects to date; For gas detection – an 80-point sampling system for the Natural History Museum in London. For CEMS – 9 continuous emissions monitoring systems to one of the UK’s largest power stations
2011
Steve Duggan becomes Financial Director
2012
CDAS 2 launched
AIRQUAL-1 launched to help sites meet the demands of EN12021
New webshop launched
Achieved Environnement SA Best Sales Performance
Company headcount; 46
2013
a1-cbiss complete the acquisition of Hitek Calibration Services
Achieved A+ Corporation Best Sales Performance
2014
Sam Thorneycroft becomes General Manager who later becomes MD in 2017
Reached 1million Gastec tube sales
a1-cbiss gain ISO14001 accreditation
a1-cbiss begin supporting Claire House – a local children’s hospice and continue to support them for the next 5 years
Ankersmid gas conditioning product range launched
Headcount; 62
2015
Agreements with RAE Systems, BW Technologies and Scott Safety to supply their gas detection equipment
a1-cbiss win their biggest ever CEMS order for Drax Power and expand into new premises – Scott’s Quay, Wirral
Achieved Environnement SA Best Sales Performance
2016
Runner-up Design Team of the Year (British Engineering Excellence Awards)
a1-cbiss introduces 3M Scott Safety respiratory protective equipment
2017
a1-cbiss agree to distribute products on behalf of Crowcon gas detection, Det-Tronics gas and flame detection and IKAR Fall Arrest Equipment
2018
After 19 years, a1-cbiss leave Ark Royal Way and move next door to Valiant Way – the 20,000 sq/m premises now accommodate all departments under one roof
OHSAS 18001 accreditation gained
In 2018, a1-cbiss collected the award from Envea for Best Sales Performance
2019
Service team expanded to 17 engineers with 3 dedicated regional co-ordinators to manage demand in Northern, Southern & Central regions
George Forster and John O’Neill celebrate their personal 25th anniversaries with a1-cbiss
a1-cbiss start supporting the Owen McVeigh Foundation
Headcount; 70
