Go back a step
Our History
We take great pride in our history and our founding values continue to guide our customer approach.
Videk was founded in 1978 by our CEO, Derek Proops, who recognised the transformative potential of the personal and business computing revolution. At a time when computers were just beginning to enter offices and industry, Derek recognised a critical gap in the market: the need for a dedicated, knowledgeable supplier of specialist cabling solutions.
As the computing landscape evolved, so too did the complexity of its hardware. A growing array of competing formats, connector types and interface standards created a pressing demand for reliable cables, adaptors and accessories that could bridge these emerging technologies. Videk rose to meet this challenge, positioning itself not just as a supplier, but as a trusted expert in connectivity.
With a strong focus on technical knowledge and customer support, Videk quickly earned a reputation as a trusted source for high-quality cabling solutions. Our early success was built on understanding the industry’s needs and a commitment to helping customers navigate the fast changing world of computing. This foundation laid the groundwork for decades of innovation and growth as we continued to support the expanding digital infrastructure of businesses across the UK and beyond.
That's the year we made our very first cable. The era of the personal computer is emerging with major releases in the proceeding year, including the Apple II, Atari Video Computer System and the Commodore PET. A Hewlett-Packard HP3000 is the first computer installed at White House under the administration of President Jimmy Carter.
Our first printed catalogue is published in 1986, heavily weighted towards the sharing of knowledge and information. The proliferation of computing technology is leading to wider adoption of new peripherals and demand for storage. The original SCSI standard is approved and becomes one of the first standard interfaces for connecting hard drives to computers.
Intel introduces the 80486 microprocessor, commonly known as the i486, effectively doubling the performance of its predecessors. As computers become more efficient and network usage expands, the adoption of LAN cabling is accelerating across workplaces and industries. In response to this growing demand, Videk launches its first range of Ethernet network cables.
At the turn of the new millennium, Videk celebrates over two decades growth and innovation. With a rapidly expanding customer base and increasing demand for connectivity solutions, we are introducing new product ranges at an unprecedented pace. To keep up with this momentum and better serve our clients, we are publishing three catalogues annually.
From humble beginnings, knocking on doors and showcasing products at computer trade shows, Videk steadily expanded its presence across the technology industry. In 1986, we took a major step forward with the release of our first printed catalogue. True to our founding principles, this publication wasn’t just a product list, it was a resource rich with knowledge and insights designed to inform and empower our customers.
As the technology landscape evolved and the pace of innovation accelerated, so too did our publishing efforts. We began producing catalogues more frequently to keep pace with emerging technologies and growing customer demand. At its height, the Videk catalogue was published three times a year, each edition packed with the latest in connectivity solutions and product innovations.
Its reach and reputation grew so significantly that it earned an affectionate nickname within the industry: the Videk “Bible”. More than just a catalogue, it became a trusted reference point valued not only for its comprehensive product listings but also for its continued emphasis on education and clarity. This commitment to sharing knowledge helped spark curiosity, build trust, and drive adoption of new technologies across a rapidly changing market.
In 1998 Videk went digital with the launch of Videk Online in a strategic leap into a new era of commerce and communication. This digital platform allowed us to introduce new products to the market with greater speed and fluidity while continuing to deliver the trusted expertise that had become synonymous with the Videk name.
Our online presence quickly became a valuable resource for customers, blending technical knowledge with e-commerce functionality. As the internet reshaped how people accessed information and made purchasing decisions, Videk was well-positioned to lead the way, offering insight and innovation at the click of a button.
Staying ahead of the curve in key technology sectors of Networking, Audio & Video, Power, and Connectivity we expanded our product portfolio to include carefully selected offerings from other leading manufacturers. This enabled Videk to provide complete, end-to-end solutions tailored to the evolving needs of different industries.
By embracing digital transformation, Videk enhanced its service capabilities and reinforced our role as a trusted partner in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
The USB 2.0 standard is released and USB flash drives are introduced to the market, revolutionising portable data storage. Videk introduces a new range of USB 2.0 cables and adapters to meet the demand for connecting new computer peripherals.
In the same year Facebook launched, HDMI rapidly gained traction as the preferred AV interface, revolutionising digital audio and visual connectivity. Videk introduced our first range of HDMI AV cables.
Apple releases the iPhone and helps usher in the era of the smartphone whilst also introducing many to touchscreen technology for the first time. Users all over the world are utilising mobile technology in business creating more demand for mobile accessories and adapters to connect between differing interfaces in the work place.
Cloud services such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google App Engine are well established. Demand for digital data storage continues to sore, as does the growth of hyperscale data centers. Requirements for high speed delivery of increasing volumes of data leads to advancement in fibre optic technology to keep pace. Videk introduces a range of OM4 fibre to the market, capable of speeds up to 100Gbps.
The Videk of today remains firmly rooted in the values that shaped our beginnings, placing the customer experience at the heart of everything we do. While the tools and technologies around us continue to evolve our mission remains constant: to deliver reliable, forward-thinking solutions that empower our customers to thrive in a connected world.
We continue to expand and refine our comprehensive range of Networking, Audio & Video, Power and Connectivity products, ensuring we stay ahead of industry trends and customer needs. By forging strong partnerships with other leading brands, we’re able to offer complete solutions that help businesses build robust and reliable infrastructures.
Our commitment to excellence extends beyond products. We invest in our people, processes and systems to ensure that every interaction with Videk is efficient and valuable. Our newly enhanced website is a testament to this commitment, equipped with powerful tools designed to simplify project planning, streamline purchasing and provide quick access to detailed product information.
As we look to the future, we remain focused on delivering exceptional service, meaningful innovation, and lasting value, helping our customers navigate the ever changing digital landscape with confidence.
The world is forced to adapt to remote working and learning due to the COVID pandemic. Organisations scramble to maintain continuity making digital collaboration tools and flexible work arrangements essential. Our range of supporting infrastructure is in high demand as industries are impacted by global shortages of critical IT components. What begins as a necessity soon leads to lasting transformation and hybrid working practices are widely adopted as a standard approach to modern business.
Following extended periods of mandated social distancing, there is a dramatic surge in subscription to streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+. On-demand entertainment becomes a primary source of digital media consumption and accelerates investment in high-performance data centres. Intelligent power distribution and data center infrastructure management systems become a key focus for Videk. We are forging new partnerships and expanding our offering.
OpenAI introduces GPT-4, a multimodal large language model capable of interpreting both text and images. Microsoft launches Copilot and Google launchs its own AI chatbot, Bard which would later be unified with Duet AI under the new name Gemini. Artificial Intelligence is being adopted across all industries, with businesses discovering new ways to apply it's use. Videk are supplying more of the technical solutions for data center infrastructure that power AI-driven services and applications.
Videk unveils its redesigned website, delivering a more user-friendly and streamlined experience. It’s designed to help users find solutions faster with improved search capabilities and clearer navigation. New tools support project planning and purchasing workflows. Videk’s dedicated team remains easily accessible via LiveChat, the new “Conversations” dashboard, Microsoft Teams or a traditional phone call.
There are four main pillars to the solutions we provide. Networking, Audio & Video, Power and Connectivity.
In the workspace, in the server room and in the datacenter, we aim to provide a complete solution for new installations, moves and changes. To support this we have created a range of cabling and infrastructure which customers can rely on to complete projects and support the needs of their business.
In compliment, we’ve built strong partnerships with leading industry manufacturers to expand our product range and broaden our expertise. These connections allow us access to technical resources, enabling us to help customers understand the benefits of different technologies and how they can be applied to support the needs of their business.
We proudly partner with leading industry brands to strengthen our expertise and deliver exceptional solutions.
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