ONE of Worcester's best known family businesses Coomber Electronic Equipment has been sold to three local businessmen in a deal that aims to "build and protect the firm's rich heritage".

The world renowned Coomber company manufactures electronic audio equipment for schools and stretches back three generations and more than 100 years. It has been acquired by the Worcestershire trio of Tony Bennett, Aaron Kernaghan and Simon Williams. For many years the electronics specialist was based in the old cattle market at the bottom of The Butts in Worcester, but with the creation of The Hive history centre on the site, it moved to a purpose-built research and design facility in Brindley Road, Warndon. It had been run by brothers James and Edward Coomber, grandsons of founder FW Coomber, but James Coomber died last year at the age of 68.

The acquisition of the company has also seen a new management structure. Mr Kernaghan has been appointed managing director with Mr Bennett, who has been with the business since 2001, heading up the research, development and production departments as operations director.

Mr Williams, who is also the managing director and founder of business coaching and training firm Arrivista, becomes chairman.

Mr Kernaghan said: “Coomber is a well-established business that we all know extremely well, so our acquisition is a hugely exciting step for us. First and foremost, we intend to protect and build on the company’s rich heritage. But we are also focused on the fast-emerging new opportunities we are already seeing. We have a long-term plan to take our excellence in electronic design and manufacturing into new markets while continuing to introduce innovative products which will benefit the education industry.

“We have inherited an experienced team and we plan to take our customer service to another level and drive forward with our ambitious sales and marketing plans. Tony will lead our manufacturing and engineering team, while he will also direct our research and development department. Simon also brings tremendous experience in helping a wide variety of businesses to achieve outstanding results and is the perfect person to take on the role of chairman.”

Mr Kernaghan, who is also the founder of Bromsgrove-based technology company ecl-lips, added: “With proven products and a fantastic brand, we are determined to start the next successful chapter in the history of Coomber.”

Coomber, which is one of only a few UK businesses to hold Apple MFI and DFI licences, designs and builds a range of audio and visual products including sound amplifiers, CD players, microphones and headphones with markets across the world. Apart from being a supplier to the education industry, it also designs and manufacturers audio equipment for dance studios, the fitness and leisure sector and for corporate customers in the safety, aviation, energy and home entertainment sectors.