In 1991, the world was quite different from the one we know today. When taking photographs, we had to keep in mind how many exposures were left on the film roll, and the results remained unknown until the film was developed. Telephones were tethered by cords, mobile phones didn’t exist, and there was no such thing as social media, Google, or video calls. Some documents were sent by fax, while others were shared or stored on floppy disks.
That same year, GESAB was founded with the goal of protecting an organization’s most valuable assets like sensitive data, strategic knowledge, important documentation, and classified information, which required storage in a secure environment. Consequently, our story began with something that might seem surprising today: fireproof safes.
A story of nonconformity
GESAB emerged from non-conformist minds; minds driven by innovation, perseverance, and boldness.
These values provided the necessary impetus to embark on the path toward implementing control centers, critical environments where every decision counts and technology must, more than ever, serve the people.
The story of this new venture begins with Tecnolan, our first line of technical furniture, which was installed at the Egyptian Embassy. This was followed by the Advantis and ACTEA control consoles, as well as the Meet series for meeting rooms, all designed with the goal of providing a safe and ergonomic environment for operators in control rooms. Then arrived data centers, less prominent at the time but without wich we wouldn’t be able to access our data or Artificial Intelligence today.
From manufacturing solutions to developing our own technology
Over the years, we came to understand that simply designing the space for a control center wasn’t enough. We could also improve the way operators interact with information and technology.
Thus was born DeskWall, our information-source management platform, which is deployed in hundreds of mission-critical environments and empowers thousands of operators worldwide to work dynamically and efficiently. Later came DataWall, for managing video wall content, and APITool, a system for automating signals and alerts that allows operators to focus on tasks requiring greater concentration.
The team, the most valuable asset
We could count these 35 years by talking about projects, countries, products, technologies, or results. But we would be missing the most important element: the people.
GESAB would not be what it is today without the people who have been part of its 35-year journey. Architects, engineers, designers, administrative staff, sales professionals, installers, and many others who have contributed their knowledge, ideas, effort, and, above all, a part of themselves to this story.
People of different nationalities, cultures, backgrounds, and ways of understanding the world. This diversity is not merely a characteristic of GESAB; it is one of our greatest strengths. It has enabled us to grasp that no two markets are exactly alike, that behind every project lie a specific culture, unique needs, and particular circumstances. It has also taught us that listening and understanding are just as important as designing, manufacturing, or developing technology.
That is why our story has been written far from where it began.
Spain, Belgium, Germany, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Chile, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Australia, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, French Guiana, and Kenya are just some of the places to which this journey has taken us.
35 years deserved a top-tier celebration
On October 8th, our teams from Madrid, Barcelona, Dubai, and part of Mexico gathered in Madrid for a day of celebration for the company. 35 years aren’t turn every year, and that certainly deserved to be celebrated.
A day filled with laughs, teamwork, and a competitive spirit. A day in which the values of GESAB (a positive attitude, honesty, dynamism, empathy, boldness, and high standards) were on full display during the paella-making contest held that morning.
In the evening, we swapped our aprons for our finest attire to share a dinner filled with memories, emotions, and the occasional surprise.
And now, on to the future
Thirty-five years allow for many stories. As well as for making mistakes, learning, changing, growing, and starting over a few times. And that is probably what we enjoy most when looking back: realizing how much we have evolved, all while holding onto the very things that brought us here.
We remain curious.
We remain nonconformists.
We continue to strive to do things a little better each day.
And, above all, we still have a future to build.
“Let us celebrate what we have built, the people who have made it possible, and, above all, everything that we have yet to build together. Because, after 35 years, our slogan rings truer today than ever before: GESAB, A GUARANTEE FOR THE FUTURE.”
Pere Sabaté, CEO and founder of GESAB
