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History of the manufacturer  

Pye (N.Z.) Ltd.; Waihi

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Name: Pye (N.Z.) Ltd.; Waihi    (NZ)  
Abbreviation: pyenzltd
Products: Model types
Summary:

Pye (N.Z.) Ltd.
Moresby Avenue. Waihi

Brands: Air Ranger, Astor & Clipper

In 1951 the UK Pye Group formed Pye (N.Z.) Ltd. and acquired Akrad Radio Corporation in New Zealand.

The Akrad factory in Auckland then became Pye’s principal manufacturing unit manufacturing radios from 1953, followed by televisions in 1959.

Philips Electrical Industries of New Zealand Ltd. acquired full control of Pye (N.Z.) Ltd. in 1982.

Founded: 1951
Closed: 1982
Production: 1953 - 1980
History:

The owner of the Akrad Radio Corporation, Keith Wrigley died in 1946 and the company was placed into the care of the Public Trustee. In 1947 Tom J. F. Spencer was offered the job of managing the radio company by the public trustee and Akrad Radio Corporation Ltd. was formed in 1948 with Spencer as Managing Director. [1]

In 1951 G.A Wooler from G.A. Wooller and Co. Ltd.  & Tom J. F. Spencer returned from England and announced Pye [New Zealand) Ltd. would be formed and take over the Akrad factory which would be considerably enlarged. The new company would also take over the Pye distribution rights. [2]

Pye brought to New Zealand a complete television transmitting station which for several years remained the only demonstration unit of its kind in the country for the Queen's visit in 1953. For some years this was the only N.Z. TV station.[3]

The first NZ-made Pye radios appeared in 1953. The New Zealand Pye radios were very similar to English Pye models but did not have the long-wave band which was not available in New Zealand.

Soon the factory developed its own designs and the company claimed to have developed original radiogram styles which were taken up by other countries.
Car radios followed in 1956 with sets being sold under the brands Pye, Clipper, and GM (NZ) Ltd Air Ranger brand.[4]

In November 1960 in the UK Pye and E.K. Cole merged which resulted in Pye (N.Z.) Ltd. and Ultimate-Elco, Ltd. forming a holding company. The intention was to operate each group with a separate identity and individual operation while strengthening joint resources. [5]

 

In 1962 Pye acquired the majority shareholding in the company.

At this time brands, Clipper and Astor had been added to the company’s product range.[4]

Pye was one of the earliest New Zealand television manufacturers, having marketed the first sets in 1960. The first model was a 21-inch Model 201T with manufacturing starting in December 1959.

In 1967 Philips of Holland acquired a controlling (60%) interest in Pye of Cambridge in the UK.

In 1977, Philips acquired full control of Pye Ltd, then a subsidiary of Pye Holdings Ltd. This move gave Philips Electrical Industries of New Zealand Ltd. full control of Pye (N.Z.) Ltd. and eventually led to the winding-up, in December 1982. [4]

[1] The Bulletin (Aus) 9 Dec 1967, page 50.
[2] Waihi Daily Telegraph 19 Sep 1951, Page 2.
[3] nzhistory-govt-nz, Television in NZ Page 2 – TV emerges in NZ timeline.
[4] Golden Age of Radio in the Home.
[5] Press 1 Nov 1860, Page 26.

This manufacturer was suggested by Wolfgang Scheida.


Some models:
Country Year Name 1st Tube Notes
NZ  83 Radio Ranger Multi-Band Radio MB-553L   PYE MB-553L Radio Ranger Multi-Band Radio AM/CB/SW/FM/TV SOUND/AIR POLICE MUL... 
NZ  65 Threeway Partygram   PYE Threeway Partygram Mains operated with 4-speed automatic record changer and broadca... 
NZ  87 FM Stereo AM Radio Cassette Recorder SRC8022    
NZ  64 Solid State Car Radio TCR1005 AF117  PYE TCR1005 Solid State Car Radio 6-transistor broadcast (MW) superhet with RF stage ma... 
NZ  64 Solid State Car Radio TCR2005 AF117  PYE TCR2005 Solid State Car Radio 6-transistor broadcast (MW) superhet with RF stage, m... 
NZ  62 Marquis PZ109 EF41  PYE PZ109 Marquis 7-valve (including magic eye), 5-band superhet with RF stage. Serv... 
NZ  68 StereoMaster Hi-Fidelity Stereo Projection System 4006   PYE StereoMaster 4006 Hi-Fidelity Stereo Projection System HI-FIDELITY STEREO. A l... 
NZ  79 Prolab Stereo Receiver Amplifier 70   PYE Prolab 70 Stereo Receiver Amplifier AM/FM tuner with 35W + 35W stereo amplifier.&nb... 
NZ  60 Hybrid Car Radio TCR2000 ECH83  PYE TCR2000 Hybrid Car Radio 4-valve, 1-transistor hybrid push-button car radio.  ... 
NZ  82 Falcon P135   PYE P135 Falcon Radio Telephone The P135 Falcon Technical Manual provides the following... 
NZ  59 Antigua Stereophonic   PYE Antigua 5-Valve Stereogram in light or medium Oak Cabinet with 4-speed Record Playe... 
NZ  82 Isotronic Stereo Receiver ESC400T   PYE Isotronic Stereo Receiver ESC400T AM-FM receiver with 50W + 50W amplifier.  

[rmxhdet-en]

Further details for this manufacturer by the members (rmfiorg):

Pye N.Z. Logo/Address ~1964tbn_nz_pye_logo_address.jpg
[1] The Bulletin (Aus) 9 Dec 1967, page 50. Image sourced from Trove – National Library of Australia.tbn_nz_pyenzltd_1_the_bulletin_aus_dec_9_1967_page_50.jpg
[2] Waihi Daily Telegraph 19 Sep 1951, Page 2. Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_pyenzltd_2_waihi_daily_telegraph_19_sep_1951_page_2.jpg
[5] Press 1 Nov 1860, Page 26. Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_pyenzltd_5_press_1_nov_1960_page_26.jpg
The company’s profit is doubled in the first year after takeover by Pye. Press 25 Sep 1951, Page 9. Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_pyenzltd_press_25_sep_1951_page_9.jpg
Press 20 Nov 1953, Page 14 Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_pyenzltd_press_20_nov_1953_page_14.jpg
Advertising Pye products during the 1956 Olympics Press 23 Nov 1956, Page 6. Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_pyenzltd_press_23_nov_1956_page_6.jpg
Advertising transistorised car radios in 1957. Press 10 Sep 1957, Page 11. Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_pyenzltd_press_10_sep_1957_page_11.jpg
Radio Telephones were advertised in 1959. Press 12 Aug 1959, Page 14. Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_pyenzltd_press_12_aug_1959_page_14.jpg
Press 20 Aug 1960 Page 11. Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_pyenzltd_press_20_aug_1960_page_11.jpg
Pye televisions advertised in 1961. Press 12 Apr 1961, Page 9. Image sourced from the National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past.tbn_nz_pyenzltd_press_12_apr_1961_page_9.jpg

  

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