Origin

The original spark was family members and friends being avid beekeepers, with the weight of the hive seen as the single most important piece of information that helps manage the bees entrusted to our care. Setting out to provide a practical solution to obtain this vital information, resulted in the Hive Scale, which is now affordable for all.

O’Keefe Electronics Inc. specializes in providing custom electronic monitoring, diagnostics, and control systems for Residential, Consumer, Automotive, and Industrial markets. They assist with circuit design, software development, mechanical design, and PCB assembly and product line strategies. Load sensors used in weight scales create the tiniest voltages and O'Keefe's strength in electromechanical systems noise control is critical in achieving stable and accurate weight data. OKeefe Electronics Inc. is a Microchip, Silicon Labs authorized design partner and consultant. 

In 2020 Fat Bees Hive Scales was appointed the Australian Distributor and manufacturer of the Hive Scales. Development and design work continues in the USA, with the electronic "brains" in the scales sent to Australia and the Hive Scales assembled here. 

O’Keefe Electronic's motto is "We are here to help you get your data flowing along with your honey!" Fat Bees motto is "Know your bees, weigh your bees".

Together, Fat Bees and Patrick from O'Keefe's make beekeeping better."

8,000-year-old rock painting discovered at Arana Cave near Valencia, Spain
From Ransome, Hilda M. "The Sacred Bee in Ancient Times and Folklore".
London: George Allen & Unwin, 1937. Pp. 19-41.