--- title: "Interview with Ian Jones, Abtech Safety | Cresto Group" url: https://crestogroup.com/companies/entrepreneurs/ian-jones-abtech-safety description: "We are who we’ve always been. Joining a group gives you security and support, but it can’t change what’s at your core, and that’s your culture and identity." lang: en --- Meet our entrepreneurs (https://crestogroup.com/companies/entrepreneurs) # Interview with Ian Jones, Abtech Safety Image: Ian Jones (https://crestogroup.com/assets/ian-jones-interview-DkV3TKPx.jpg) Ian Jones, Abtech Safety Ian Jones founded Abtech Safety in a back bedroom in 1991. Thirty years later, finding a new owner meant securing a future for the company’s people and maintaining its customer relationships. In April 2021, the company joined Cresto Group, contributing manufacturing expertise and an established UK presence while gaining support from a wider network. Ian is now UK Business Manager at Abtech Safety. He recalls building the company into an international manufacturer of Category III Personal Protective Equipment, serving rental companies, distributors and emergency services. Through financial crises and the COVID-19 pandemic, he says, Abtech Safety remained known for reliability and quality. ## Choosing continuity With only one of his four children working in the business, family succession would have been complicated. Ian considered other buyers but prioritised continuity. He wanted to avoid a short-term ownership approach that could lead to another sale. > “Our people had been loyal, and I wanted to be sure they would stay part of a secure business and that we would keep providing the same level of service to our customers.” – Ian Jones, UK Business Manager, Abtech Safety Much of the acquisition process was handled over Teams during the pandemic. Ian recalls productive discussions and says that explaining the decentralised model helped address employees’ and customers’ concerns. Under this model, local companies retain responsibility for their businesses while drawing on the group’s resources and expertise. ## Shared expertise Within Cresto Group, Abtech Safety can discuss technical and commercial challenges with businesses that understand its industry. In return, it contributes manufacturing expertise and established UK customer relationships. > “Working alongside companies in similar industries has real benefits. They understand the challenges in our sectors, and we can have technical conversations with people who genuinely understand and can help.” – Ian Jones, UK Business Manager, Abtech Safety ## Keeping its identity For Ian, greater security has not come at the expense of Abtech Safety’s culture. The company retains its identity while gaining access to a wider network of people and expertise it can draw on. > “We are who we’ve always been. Joining a group gives you security and support, but it can’t change what’s at your core, and that’s your culture and identity.” – Ian Jones, UK Business Manager, Abtech Safety ## Looking ahead Ian’s daughter Sally became the UK Managing Director in 2025, and now takes overall responsibility for the UK Group. Ian reports a stronger focus on profitability. He says profit as a percentage is roughly double its pre-acquisition level, while the growth forecast remains unchanged. Ian says European customers are now served by group companies in their respective countries. He attributes this change to the acquisition, Brexit and the changing economy. This arrangement combines Abtech Safety’s product expertise with local market knowledge. With projects in the pipeline, Abtech Safety plans to build on what works while keeping safety central. Ian describes the partnership as offering continuity and opportunities to learn. For the group, Abtech Safety brings specialist knowledge and UK market experience. > “Added security means less worries about the future. The process is simple and the people you deal with are honest and open.” – Ian Jones, UK Business Manager, Abtech Safety #### CRESTO GROUP A world where no life is lost while working at height. 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