Solar Wheel, the Brechfa-headquartered windfarm telemetry specialists, has transitioned into an employee-owned business after more than 30 years in business.
The company was founded in Devon in 1990 by Bobby Bazalgette, whose passion for renewable energy led him to design and build his own solar panel. He got involved in wind turbine data monitoring when a prototype was built near his home, and the group that installed it needed someone local to collect that data. Through that relationship, Bobby received specialist training in wind monitoring. When a larger turbine was installed in Burry Port, he was invited to support that project too. As demand for his expertise grew, so did the business, laying the foundations for the company it is today.
More than 30 years on, Solar Wheel now employs 14 people from its base in Brechfa, near Carmarthen, and works around the UK monitoring wind at height using masts. The data can be used to create wind maps of an area to allow the wind farm developer to build the turbines in the most effective locations and monitor performance during operation.
Bobby has now decided to pass the business on to his employees, rather than a trade sale, allowing him to give the business to the people that made it the success it is today.
He explained:
“We truly are a family business through and through. My children work for the business, some of my colleagues have been with me for decades and we all treat each other like an extended family – so the thought of selling that on to one of our competitors was never really on the table for me.
“Solar Wheel was borne out of my passion and knowledge of the renewables industry, and over the years I have passed that onto my team. Now it’s time for them to pick up the mantle and run with it and for Solar Wheel to go from strength to strength.”
Bobby will still be closely involved with the business and will also be one of the Employee Ownership Trust’s trustees. Solar Wheel Director Will Britton will also be a trustee, alongside independent trustee Rachel Thomas of LHP Accountants. The company’s Directors will be Lucy Bywaters, Will Britton and Mike Cawker.
Paul Cantrill of the Employee Ownership Wales service from Cwmpas advised Bobby and Solar Wheel on the EOT transition process. Employee Ownership Wales is part of Social Business Wales and of the Business Wales family, both funded by Welsh Government.
Paul Cantrill said:
“Solar Wheel is a unique business, with a specialist team of people working for it, supporting a really important sector in Wales. I am so pleased that Bobby took the decision to keep the business in Carmarthenshire and transition to an EOT.
“As a true family business, with real and chosen family all involved in the day to day running of the business, it is the perfect solution that allows Bobby and his partner Netta, who also works for the company, to take a step back and plan for retirement. The passion and enthusiasm for the business and what it does is evident from all of the team, and I can’t wait to see what happens next for Solar Wheel.”
Solar Wheel was also advised on the EOT transition by JCP Solicitors, Katherine Broadhurst from Azets and LHP Accountants.
Natalie Jones, of JCP Solicitors, said:
“It was a pleasure to support Bobby and his team in transitioning Solar Wheel into employee ownership. Bobby’s passion for renewable energy has driven the business since its inception, and over the years he has created a company with strong family values and a dedicated, long-serving team.
“Employee ownership provides an excellent way to preserve that culture and secure the future of the business, and we are delighted to have helped guide Solar Wheel through this exciting new chapter.”
For more information about employee ownership, visit: https://employeeownershipwales.co.uk/.
