SIXTY years is a long time for any business...and Selex is one which has shared so much success.

The company was first opened in 1954 as the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company at its base in Christopher Martin Road, Basildon.

The world was a different place. Wartime rationing had only just come to an end and Elvis Presley had just recorded his first two songs.

Among those new breakthroughs was the creation of the very first silicon transistor, which signalled the beginning of the silicon chip age.

The company was able to take advantage of Basildon’s highly-skilled engineers and researchers thanks to its destination as a “new town”.

Mike Gilbert, head of site, said: “We have been through many changes, not least the name, which has changed several times to what we are now – Selex.

“We obviously had less people working here in the beginning.

Now the site supports 1,000 workers in Basildon.

“The original site opposite Sainsbury’s, in Christopher Martin Road, has not changed much since it was first built.

“But back in the Noughties, Sigma House was also built on the road thanks to significant investment from BA Systems.”

The newly-formed company developed a number of breakthrough technologies.

One device was the world’s first thermal imaging camera used by firefighters to find trapped people during dangerous rescues.

The company also created aircraft radio navigation products that were installed on many iconic aircraft of the time, including the first Boeing B747 Jumbo jet.

Today, the company’s advanced technology covers different areas of engineering, from defence and civil security to aerospace and smart energy monitoring solutions. The company’s campus in Christopher Martin Road provides cameras and other sensors for the majority of vehicles used by the British Army and has equipped UK troops with personal radios – a model which is used by thousands of allied troops around the world.

Selex has even provided its thermal camera technology for use in cricket via the ‘Hot Spot’ heat vision system seen on Sky Sports and to the BBC for wildlife documentaries.

Mr Gilbert said Basildon played an important role in the success of the company.

He said: “We are one of the more significant employers in the town. We have some really good links with Basildon Council, which is also very interested in what we do.

“We have four sites in the UK – Basildon, Edinburgh, Luton and Southampton. Basildon gives us a good position into London by road and rail to meet our clients.

“It’s also good with the upcoming Thames Gateway, which is growing.”