It all started in May 1976...
Take a look through our timeline of world and company events...
- 1970s
- 1980s
- 1990s
- 2000s
- 2010s
- 2020s
1970s
- In 1976, Pennine Communications was formed and the first contract was with Greater Manchester buses. Pennine were the first dealer of Motorola radios in the UK.
- In 1976, Apple Computer Company was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. In the same year the 5.25-inch floppy disk was invented, changing data storage.
- In 1978, the current owner and Managing Director Andrew Roberts joined the company.
1980s
- In 1983 the business became a limited company and changed its name to Pennine Telecom Ltd, diversifying from radio to installing intercoms.
- In 1984, liberalisation of the telecoms market took place in the UK and Pennine sold its first telephone system.
- In 1985, mobile telephony is born in the UK as Vodafone launches the country’s first 1G network.
1990s
- In 1991, digital mobile technology arrives in the UK as Vodafone launches its 2G network. Benefits include clearer calls, encryption and text messaging.
- In 1992, the business located to Pennine House in Bury, a previous mill.
- In 1993, the concept of cloud computing arrives.
2000s
- In 2000, Wi-Fi became a mainstream term, and broadband started replacing dial-up for home internet.
- In 2003, a Management buyout (MBO) took place with Andrew Roberts, Geoff King and Steve Ryan buying the business from the original founders.
- In 2007, Apple kickstarts a smartphone revolution with the launch of the first iPhone.
- In 2009, having secured exclusive UK and European distribution rights, Pennine launches Yealink (UK), establishing what would become a pre-eminent IP telephony and videoconferencing brand.
2010s
- In 2011, Andrew Roberts is recognised by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh at the Prince Philip Medal ceremony for his outstanding contribution, commitment and dedication to the telecommunications industry.
- In 2012, Pennine secures the first UK order for a Motorola Mototrbo Trunked Linked Capacity Plus trunked radio solution for installation at Sellafield. And also in this year Pennine Mobile was launched.
- In 2013, Pennine Telecom wins £1m+ telecoms, network and wireless infrastructure contract with Bolton College, the institution that got Andrew Roberts his 1976 interview with Pennine.
- In 2016, Pennine Telecom rebrands to just Pennine and was acquired by Nycomm Holdings. And later that year, there was the world’s first deployment of Motorola Mototrbo Capacity Max at BAE Systems.
- In 2017, to support our radio customers in the Southwest of the country Pennine acquires Co-Channel Electronics near Bristol.
- In 2019, Pennine acquired Avoira Devices business Rocom, Avoira AV company Videonations and rebranded as Avoira with our strapline “fluent in technology”.
2020s
- In 2020, Avoira acquired Yellowbus, which helped launch the Avoira IT Services division.
- In 2020, the world saw the epidemic of Covid-19, which saw the rapid expansion of working from home.
- In 2022, Avoira became an independent company following Nycomm Holdings being dissolved, after it’s sale of Nimans.
- In 2023, Avoira launched the 6 division brands of Avoira – Radio, Audio-Visual, Devices, Communications, IT and Xperience.
- In 2026, Avoira turns 50 and a deal was secured with Greater Manchester Trams, 50 years after the first deal with Greater Manchester buses.