Electrohome
Encyclopedia
Electrohome was one of Canada's largest manufacturers of television set
s (TVs) from 1949 to 1984. The company was also involved in television broadcasting.
From 1984 to 1999, Electrohome branded TVs were produced under license by Mitsubishi Electric
, and from 1999 to the present by Jutan (distributed by Canadian distributor Citizen Electronics).
The company underwent an orderly wind-up in late 2008. In February 2010, the Electrohome brand was acquired by Bluetronics Group a division of Circus World Displays Limited (CWD).
in 1907. The company began manufacturing and selling television sets in 1949, competing with companies such as Northern Electric
and Canadian General Electric
for a share of the Canadian market. Electrohome developed its reputation for its large heavy floor models boxed in hardwood cases.
In 1954, Carl Arthur Pollock
, president of the family-owned company in a consortium with Famous Players Corporation set up CKCO-TV
, which broadcasts in the Kitchener-Waterloo and southern Ontario region. Electrohome assumed full control of CKCO in 1970 when broadcasting laws substantially reduced the amount of foreign ownership in Canadian media (Famous Players was controlled by Paramount Pictures).
In 1984, suffering from years of competition with Sony
and other Japanese television makers, Electrohome ceased production of TV sets, and licensed the brand name to Mitsubishi Electric
. Electrohome continued to assemble large screen projection systems popular with rock stars for a number of years using components from American manufacturers such as IBM
and Texas Instruments
. In 1988, Electrohome purchased a second television station, CFRN
in Edmonton
.
In 1995, Electrohome and Baton Broadcasting entered a partnership, sharing ownership of CKCO, CFRN, CFCN-TV
in Calgary
, CFPL
in London
, CHWI in Wheatley
and CKNX
in Wingham
. The following year, the partnership was reorganized: Baton took over full ownership of all of the stations, and Electrohome became a shareholder in Baton.
In 1999, Electrohome switched licensees dropping Mitsubishi Electric and allowing Canadian distributor Citizen Electronics (Jutan) to market TVs and DVD players under the Electrohome brand name.
On 2007.03.05 the Redmond Group of Companies announced the purchase of Electrohome brands effective 2008.01.01. http://www.marketnews.ca/content/index/page?pid=2647
On 2007.03.27 Synnex announced the purchase of the Redmond Group Electrohome assets. http://www.synnex.ca/eng/news/press/03_27_2007.shtml
It appears a flip was made before the transfer date.
In January 2008, Electrohome announced the sale of all of its trademarks to Synnex Corporation. Electrohome now derives most of its income from its licensing, and has minor stock holdings in Mechdyne/Fakespace Systems which provides visualization solutions for data analysis and Immersion Studios, a digital cinema firm.
The company began an orderly wind-up of the corporation in late 2008.
In February 2010, the Electrohome brand was acquired by Bluetronics Group a division of Circus World Displays Limited (CWD). Also included in the purchase were the rights to Magnasonic, Secureguard and Citizen (Canada only) brands, amongst many others. Based in Niagara Falls, Canada, CWD also owns and operates other brands including Fluance, Nyrius, Levana, SVAT, Defender and Pure Therapy.
Television set
A television set is a device that combines a tuner, display, and speakers for the purpose of viewing television. Television sets became a popular consumer product after the Second World War, using vacuum tubes and cathode ray tube displays...
s (TVs) from 1949 to 1984. The company was also involved in television broadcasting.
From 1984 to 1999, Electrohome branded TVs were produced under license by Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric
is a multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the core companies of the Mitsubishi Group....
, and from 1999 to the present by Jutan (distributed by Canadian distributor Citizen Electronics).
The company underwent an orderly wind-up in late 2008. In February 2010, the Electrohome brand was acquired by Bluetronics Group a division of Circus World Displays Limited (CWD).
History
Electrohome was founded in Kitchener, OntarioKitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
in 1907. The company began manufacturing and selling television sets in 1949, competing with companies such as Northern Electric
Nortel
Nortel Networks Corporation, formerly known as Northern Telecom Limited and sometimes known simply as Nortel, was a multinational telecommunications equipment manufacturer headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada...
and Canadian General Electric
Canadian General Electric
Canadian General Electric was a Canadian manufacturer of various electrical products. The company was a forerunner of General Electric Canada, now known as GE Canada. It was the Canadian counterpart of the American company General Electric.Canadian General Electric Co...
for a share of the Canadian market. Electrohome developed its reputation for its large heavy floor models boxed in hardwood cases.
In 1954, Carl Arthur Pollock
Carl Arthur Pollock
Carl Arthur Pollock, OC was a Canadian businessman. Born in Kitchener, Ontario, graduated from the University of Toronto in electrical engineering. A scholarship from the Massey Foundation financed two years at Oxford University, England...
, president of the family-owned company in a consortium with Famous Players Corporation set up CKCO-TV
CKCO-TV
CKCO-DT is a television station broadcasting on channel 13 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Owned and operated by Bell Media, it is a part of the CTV Television Network and has been branded CTV Southwestern Ontario since 2005.-History:...
, which broadcasts in the Kitchener-Waterloo and southern Ontario region. Electrohome assumed full control of CKCO in 1970 when broadcasting laws substantially reduced the amount of foreign ownership in Canadian media (Famous Players was controlled by Paramount Pictures).
In 1984, suffering from years of competition with Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
and other Japanese television makers, Electrohome ceased production of TV sets, and licensed the brand name to Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric
is a multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the core companies of the Mitsubishi Group....
. Electrohome continued to assemble large screen projection systems popular with rock stars for a number of years using components from American manufacturers such as IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
and Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
. In 1988, Electrohome purchased a second television station, CFRN
CFRN-TV
CFRN-DT is a Canadian television station, broadcasting in Edmonton, Alberta. It is an owned and operated station of the CTV Television Network....
in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
.
In 1995, Electrohome and Baton Broadcasting entered a partnership, sharing ownership of CKCO, CFRN, CFCN-TV
CFCN-TV
CFCN-DT is a Canadian television station, broadcasting in Calgary, Alberta. Owned and operated by Bell Media, it is a part of the CTV Television Network. The station also operates a semi-satellite in Lethbridge....
in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, CFPL
CFPL-TV
CFPL-DT is a television station based in London, Ontario, Canada, owned by Bell Media. Part of the CTV Two television system, the station serves London, Sarnia and much of southwestern Ontario north of London, including Wingham since its former sister station, CKNX-TV which ceased operations and...
in London
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, CHWI in Wheatley
Wheatley, Ontario
Wheatley is a community in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, within the municipality of Chatham-Kent. It lies about east of Leamington. Nearby parks include Two Creeks Conservation Area, which has 15 km of hiking and bicycling paths, Kopegaron Woods Conservation Area, Hillman Marsh Conservation...
and CKNX
CKNX-TV
CKNX-TV was a television station owned by CTVglobemedia which served mid-western Ontario, Canada. It was part of the A television network. The station was broadcast from Wingham and had offices in Wingham...
in Wingham
Wingham, Ontario
Wingham is a community located in the municipality of North Huron, Ontario, Canada, which is located in Huron County...
. The following year, the partnership was reorganized: Baton took over full ownership of all of the stations, and Electrohome became a shareholder in Baton.
In 1999, Electrohome switched licensees dropping Mitsubishi Electric and allowing Canadian distributor Citizen Electronics (Jutan) to market TVs and DVD players under the Electrohome brand name.
On 2007.03.05 the Redmond Group of Companies announced the purchase of Electrohome brands effective 2008.01.01. http://www.marketnews.ca/content/index/page?pid=2647
On 2007.03.27 Synnex announced the purchase of the Redmond Group Electrohome assets. http://www.synnex.ca/eng/news/press/03_27_2007.shtml
It appears a flip was made before the transfer date.
In January 2008, Electrohome announced the sale of all of its trademarks to Synnex Corporation. Electrohome now derives most of its income from its licensing, and has minor stock holdings in Mechdyne/Fakespace Systems which provides visualization solutions for data analysis and Immersion Studios, a digital cinema firm.
The company began an orderly wind-up of the corporation in late 2008.
In February 2010, the Electrohome brand was acquired by Bluetronics Group a division of Circus World Displays Limited (CWD). Also included in the purchase were the rights to Magnasonic, Secureguard and Citizen (Canada only) brands, amongst many others. Based in Niagara Falls, Canada, CWD also owns and operates other brands including Fluance, Nyrius, Levana, SVAT, Defender and Pure Therapy.