Ferguson Electronics
Encyclopedia
Ferguson Electronics is an electronics company specializing in small electronics items such as radios and set top boxes.
, Dynatron
, Pye and Bush in the United Kingdom. It was originally an American–Canadian pre-War company making radio sets for the U.K. market based upon contemporary American models. After World War II
, it became Ferguson Radio Corporation, making radio receivers
and, later, television
s. Later still, it became part of the British Radio Corporation. It was taken over by THORN Electrical Industries
in the late 1950s, but the Ferguson name continued to be used by Thorn, and its successor Thorn EMI
.
Throughout the company's early history, Ferguson products were very popular across its wide customer base. By the early 1960s its wide product range included a most comprehensive range of audio and TV equipment. Small, battery-operated portable transistor radios to solid oak 6 ft wide hydraulic lid radiograms sporting fully automatic stackable Garrard turntables, multi-channel radios and 2-foot-wide stereo speakers were commonplace in many UK households. Open reel tape recorders and hi-fis followed.
Sales held well, with 1980s new introductions including personal cassette players, CD players and video recorders.
The 1980s saw much competition from foreign brands such as JVC, Tandy, Hitachi and Sanyo. Even High Street electrical outlets such as Dixons and Currys introduced own brands manufactured in the far East, such as Saisho and Matsui. This took its toll on the Ferguson brand and during the late 1980s, it was sold off to the French electronics company Thomson
. Thomson itself subsequently withdrew from the competitive European consumer electronics market. The Ferguson brand was licensed initially to DSI (Dixons and Currys). DSI ceased using it in 2006 and competitor Comet took up the licence.
The 2000s have seen the introduction of Ferguson branded Freeview set-top boxes, DVD players and recorders and DAB radios.
digital radios as well as Freeview set top boxes and a range of other electronics items.
In addition to this Ferguson outside the UK is a Polish company manufactured by TCl - Thomson, they sell Digital Set top Boxes, DVD Players, HD equipment and Loudspeakers in most European countries under the Name FERGUSON with the original Ferguson/Thomson Technologies Logo.
History
Ferguson is one of the older electronics companies, alongside UltraUltra Electronics
Ultra Electronics Holdings is a British company serving the defence, security, transport and energy industries. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...
, Dynatron
Dynatron
For the brand, see Dynatron Radio LtdThe dedicated dynatron vacuum tube was invented by Albert Hull in 1918. It has three electrodes: a thermionic cathode, a perforated anode, and a supplementary anode or plate, and its characteristic curves have a region exhibiting negative resistance, which is...
, Pye and Bush in the United Kingdom. It was originally an American–Canadian pre-War company making radio sets for the U.K. market based upon contemporary American models. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it became Ferguson Radio Corporation, making radio receivers
Receiver (radio)
A radio receiver converts signals from a radio antenna to a usable form. It uses electronic filters to separate a wanted radio frequency signal from all other signals, the electronic amplifier increases the level suitable for further processing, and finally recovers the desired information through...
and, later, television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
s. Later still, it became part of the British Radio Corporation. It was taken over by THORN Electrical Industries
THORN Electrical Industries
Thorn Electrical Industries, Limited was an electrical engineering business. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange but it merged with EMI Group to form Thorn EMI in 1979...
in the late 1950s, but the Ferguson name continued to be used by Thorn, and its successor Thorn EMI
Thorn EMI
Thorn EMI was a major British company involved in consumer electronics, music, defence and retail. Created in October 1979 when Thorn Electrical Industries merged with EMI, it was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but it demerged again in...
.
Throughout the company's early history, Ferguson products were very popular across its wide customer base. By the early 1960s its wide product range included a most comprehensive range of audio and TV equipment. Small, battery-operated portable transistor radios to solid oak 6 ft wide hydraulic lid radiograms sporting fully automatic stackable Garrard turntables, multi-channel radios and 2-foot-wide stereo speakers were commonplace in many UK households. Open reel tape recorders and hi-fis followed.
Sales held well, with 1980s new introductions including personal cassette players, CD players and video recorders.
The 1980s saw much competition from foreign brands such as JVC, Tandy, Hitachi and Sanyo. Even High Street electrical outlets such as Dixons and Currys introduced own brands manufactured in the far East, such as Saisho and Matsui. This took its toll on the Ferguson brand and during the late 1980s, it was sold off to the French electronics company Thomson
Thomson SA
Technicolor SA , formerly Thomson SA and Thomson Multimedia, is a French international provider of solutions for the creation, management, post-production, delivery and access of video, for the Communication, Media and Entertainment industries. Technicolor’s headquarters are located in Issy les...
. Thomson itself subsequently withdrew from the competitive European consumer electronics market. The Ferguson brand was licensed initially to DSI (Dixons and Currys). DSI ceased using it in 2006 and competitor Comet took up the licence.
The 2000s have seen the introduction of Ferguson branded Freeview set-top boxes, DVD players and recorders and DAB radios.
Today
The Ferguson brand is used by Comet on a range of DABDigital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
digital radios as well as Freeview set top boxes and a range of other electronics items.
In addition to this Ferguson outside the UK is a Polish company manufactured by TCl - Thomson, they sell Digital Set top Boxes, DVD Players, HD equipment and Loudspeakers in most European countries under the Name FERGUSON with the original Ferguson/Thomson Technologies Logo.