A.J.Balcombe Ltd. (c1917 – 1960)
52-58 Tabernacle St., London EC2

ALBA (Radio & Television) Ltd. Alba Group.  (1960 – 1988)
52-58 Tabernacle St., London EC2
Bull Lane, Edmonton, London N18

Brand: Alba

Alba is one of the oldest firms in the UK radio &TV industry.  A.J. Balcombe Ltd. manufactured radios from 1922 and later televisions until 1960. This was followed by ALBA (Radio & Television) Ltd. from 1960 until acquired by its rival Bush in 1988.

The company was formed circa 1917 by Alfred Balcombe.
Initially located in City Road, London and in 1919, moved to Tabernacle Street where they manufactured radio sets from 1922.

An example of their products was on display at the 1932 Olympia Radio Exhibition on August 19 – 27.

ALBA: - Stand 128

A range of receivers and radio-gramo-phones of advanced design constitutes the principal exhibit of this, firm. Described as the Alba series, there are battery models as well as a wide selection of DC and AC receivers and radio gramophones.
Attention is directed to a Stenode radio-gramophone embodying a seven-valve receiver chassis. Two models are shown. One priced at 70 guineas includes an automatic record changer. [1]

In 1955 the EC2 factory was expanded.

In 1958 they introduced a system of "packaged servicing" for television receivers, in which 90% of the components were mounted on two plug-in replaceable printed-circuit panels. They continued this in three new receivers, the T656 17-inch table model, the T717 17-inch portable, and the T721 21-inch model.

They produced their first tape recorder, Model R59, which was notable for its low price. It played at 3in /sec, provides for high- and low-level mixing, and permitted monitoring while recording. There was also a twin neon recording level indicator. [2]

In the 1960s they became Alba Group and made only low-cost consumer products.

Alba acquired its rival Bush in 1988 and was bought by the Home Retail Group, the parent company of the retailer Argos in 2008.

Argos acquired the intellectual property rights to the Alba and Bush trademarks from consumer electronics distributor Alba and changed its name to Harvard.

The £15.25 million cash deal saved the brands, as Alba was set to end the supply of Bush and Alba branded products that include TVs, DVD players, and audio goods.

It was reported that Argos decided to acquire the two brands, as they sell well in its stores.

A spokesperson for Argos said: "The trademarks are household names with a very strong heritage, which have high awareness and purchase frequency with Argos customers". [3]

In September 2016, the supermarket chain Sainsbury's completed its acquisition of Home Retail Group, bringing Argos, along with the Alba and Bush brands, under its ownership.

The Alba brand was dropped by Sainsbury's in 2022 and replaced by the Bush brand.[4]

1] Wireless World Aug 26, 1932, page 187.
[2] Wireless World Sep 1959, pages 371, 372.
[3] Alba Plc Change of Name to Harvard Int. Investigate Website access Aug 2023.
[4] Never mind the badge on the front - who REALLY made your TV set?". The Yorkshire Post, Sep 5, 2016.