Airzone
Wentworth Building, Dailey Street, Sydney, NSW (1925)
Oxford Street, Paddington, Sydney, NSW (1926)

Airzone Ltd.
16 Australia Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW (1927 - 1931)

Airzone (1931) Ltd.
16 Australia Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW (1931 - 1944)
68 Parramatta Road, Auburn, NSW. (1944 - 1955)

Airzone rose from Sydney's 1925 crystal set scene to become a top Aussie radio maker by 1937, known for quality & innovation. Acquired by E.M.A.I.L. (1946) post-WWII, their radios merged with Philco's by 1948. Airzone's success transcended brands, producing sets for others too—companies like Malvern Star, Mullard, and Peal. Radio production under the Airzone brand ended in 1955, but AWA briefly continued making Airzone-branded radios & TVs.

A Detailed History of Airzone (1925-1955)

Airzone's story began in 1925, a mere infant in the burgeoning Australian radio industry. Back then, crystal sets were all the rage, and Airzone, starting small in a single room at the Wentworth Building in Dailey Street, Sydney, capitalized on this trend. Their business quickly grew, demanding more space as they made components and crystal sets for the public eager to listen to the new radio broadcasting stations.

Claude Plowman (1895-1954), Airzone's managing director, played a pivotal role in the company's success. With his engineering background, Plowman recognized the importance of quality control and in-house production. He saw that building their own components would ensure better quality and consistency in their products.

Early Years (1925-1928):

• Focused on crystal sets and component parts for popular radio circuits like Browning-Drake and Neutrodyne.
• Plowman applied for the trademark Airzone in June 1926.[1]
• Faced a challenge with homebuilders struggling to wind their own coils. Airzone addressed this by offering pre-wound coil kits.
• Faced rapid expansion, moving from a single room to larger premises in Paddington with 4,000 square feet of space and a workforce of 70-100 employees.
• Established an in-house engineering shop, a hallmark that would continue for years to come.

Growth and Innovation (1926-1931):

• 1926 marked the arrival of the successful Airzone Portable, a four-valve broadcast set in a carrying case. This portable radio, with little modification, remained in production until 1930, selling over 10,000 units across Australia.
• In February 1927 a private company, Airzone Ltd was formed with First Directors Claude Plowman and accountant Edgar Sydney Wolfenden. [2]
• The company relocated again in 1928, acquiring the large building in Australia Street, Camperdown. Initially, only a portion of the building was used, but with foresight, Plowman planned for future expansion.[3]

Restructuring and Brand Building (1931):

• A major turning point came in 1931 with the restructuring of the business into Airzone (1931) Ltd. [4][5] This period saw the establishment of key policies that would shape the company's future.
• Recognizing the value of brand recognition, Airzone shifted its focus from unbranded chassis to building a strong national brand. This meant discontinuing sets sold under other names and solely producing receivers under the Airzone brand, a bold move that sacrificed some initial business for long-term brand development.
• A rigorous quality control system was implemented. Airzone prioritized testing components before assembly, utilizing extensive laboratory equipment, believing it was more cost-effective to prevent issues than to deal with faulty sets later. This focus on quality control is credited with leading to a service call rate significantly lower than competitors.[3]

Success and Specialization (1931-1937):

• The Airzone Cub, a two-valve and rectifier mantel set launched in 1931, became an instant success. This easy-to-use set, requiring no expert installation, sold in the thousands.
• Airzone's steady progress saw them transition from a company heavily reliant on component sales to one dedicated to producing a full range of battery and A.C. receivers.
• The component business was largely phased out, with parts primarily used for their own sets.
• The company invested heavily in specialized equipment, even creating their own machinery to wind tuning coils exactly to their specifications.
• Airzone's commitment to innovation manifested in their molded cabinet mantel model, another popular product. This design utilized a one-ton die to create a seamless cabinet finish, something unprecedented at the time.[3]
• By 1936 the factory floor area was over 3400 square metres.

Looking Ahead (1937):

By 1937, Airzone had established itself as a leading Australian radio manufacturer. With a forward-thinking approach, focus on quality, and commitment to innovation, the company positioned itself for continued growth and success.

World War II (1939-1945):

During the war, the factory played a vital role, producing instruments for testing radar and electrical communications, assembling grenades, and making asdic equipment.

In the post-war era (after 1945), Airzone's landscape shifted. On June 24th, 1946, the company was acquired by Electricity Meter and Allied Industries Ltd. (E.M.A.I.L.). This company, which had previously taken over Emmco (a Philco brand set manufacturer) in 1936, saw potential in Airzone. Interestingly, Claude Plowman remained as Airzone's manager even after the takeover.

This acquisition marked a turning point. By 1948, both Airzone and Philco-branded radios essentially became the same product. While Airzone retained its name for a period, the radios themselves no longer reflected the distinct identity Airzone had cultivated earlier. Finally, in 1955, radio production under the Airzone brand ceased altogether. However, the Airzone name lived on for a brief period, with AWA manufacturing radios and Televisions under the Airzone brand.

This marked the end of an era for Airzone as an independent radio manufacturer. Though the company's radios continued to be produced for a short while, the innovative spirit and independent identity that defined Airzone's early years were no longer present.

Sir Claude Plowman (1895-1954)

As a senior member of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, he was prominent in the 1945 discussions that led to the establishment of the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race. He skippered the Morna to three successive, first-cross-the-line wins from 1946.

He was knighted in 1948 for services to industry and yachting.

[1] Daily Commercial News and Shipping List (NSW) Jul 21, 1926, Page 8.
[2] Duns Gazette Feb 28, 1927, Page 142.
[3] Wireless Weekly 1938, Feb 28, 1938, Page 20.
[4] Government Gazette (NSW) May 8, 1931, Page 1724.
[5] Sydney Morning Herald Oct 17, 1931, Page 15.