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Alba (electronics)
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Alba (electronics)
Alba was a British consumer electronics company and brand name that produced budget electronics. Its origins date to 1917 when it became active in the radio and TV industry as A.J. Balcombe Ltd.
Following the demise of the original company in the early 1980s, the brand was purchased by distributor Harvard International, which in turn rebranded itself as Alba plc. In addition to Alba, the company subsequently acquired or licensed numerous other brands, including Bush, and became popular in the low-end market in the UK.
In 2008, it reverted to its old name and sold both the Alba and Bush brands to the Home Retail Group, the parent company of the retailer Argos, which was in turn was taken over by J Sainsbury plc in 2016. The Alba brand was quietly dropped by Sainsbury's in 2022 in favour of its more upmarket sister brand Bush. Harvard International retains the rights to the brand for Australia and New Zealand.
The name Alba originated as a trademark used on radio and television produced by A.J. Balcombe Ltd. The company was formed in 1917 or 1918 by Alfred Balcombe. Alba began by manufacturing radio sets from 1922, from a factory at Tabernacle Street in London. It was a significant contributor to the development of the British radio & TV industry.
In the 1960s they became Alba Group, and made only low-cost consumer products.
Alba went into receivership in June 1982.
Following the demise of the original company, the Alba name was bought in 1982 by Harvard International Ltd (formerly Harris Overseas Ltd), an import business founded by John Harris. In August 1987, Harvard International renamed itself to Alba plc and was floated on the London Stock Exchange under its new name. Alba plc bought Bush Radio in 1988 and then Goodmans Industries in 1994. Harris was succeeded as CEO by his son Daniel Harris in 1992.
Along with its own Alba brand and Bush and Goodmans audio visual products, the company also made other products including as Hinari (home appliances), Roadster (portable entertainment), Breville (home appliances), Power Devil (DIY tools), Dirt Devil and others. Alba plc also produced electronic products under licence for other companies or individuals, including Ministry of Sound (audio products), Antony Worrall Thompson, Cable and Wireless, Carl Lewis, JCB, Ministry of Sound, Nicky Clarke and NTL.
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Alba (electronics)
Alba was a British consumer electronics company and brand name that produced budget electronics. Its origins date to 1917 when it became active in the radio and TV industry as A.J. Balcombe Ltd.
Following the demise of the original company in the early 1980s, the brand was purchased by distributor Harvard International, which in turn rebranded itself as Alba plc. In addition to Alba, the company subsequently acquired or licensed numerous other brands, including Bush, and became popular in the low-end market in the UK.
In 2008, it reverted to its old name and sold both the Alba and Bush brands to the Home Retail Group, the parent company of the retailer Argos, which was in turn was taken over by J Sainsbury plc in 2016. The Alba brand was quietly dropped by Sainsbury's in 2022 in favour of its more upmarket sister brand Bush. Harvard International retains the rights to the brand for Australia and New Zealand.
The name Alba originated as a trademark used on radio and television produced by A.J. Balcombe Ltd. The company was formed in 1917 or 1918 by Alfred Balcombe. Alba began by manufacturing radio sets from 1922, from a factory at Tabernacle Street in London. It was a significant contributor to the development of the British radio & TV industry.
In the 1960s they became Alba Group, and made only low-cost consumer products.
Alba went into receivership in June 1982.
Following the demise of the original company, the Alba name was bought in 1982 by Harvard International Ltd (formerly Harris Overseas Ltd), an import business founded by John Harris. In August 1987, Harvard International renamed itself to Alba plc and was floated on the London Stock Exchange under its new name. Alba plc bought Bush Radio in 1988 and then Goodmans Industries in 1994. Harris was succeeded as CEO by his son Daniel Harris in 1992.
Along with its own Alba brand and Bush and Goodmans audio visual products, the company also made other products including as Hinari (home appliances), Roadster (portable entertainment), Breville (home appliances), Power Devil (DIY tools), Dirt Devil and others. Alba plc also produced electronic products under licence for other companies or individuals, including Ministry of Sound (audio products), Antony Worrall Thompson, Cable and Wireless, Carl Lewis, JCB, Ministry of Sound, Nicky Clarke and NTL.