Plessey Co Ltd

Sectors:

  • Transport equipment production Aeroengines & components production
  • Information processing equipment production Computer hardware equipment production
  • Electrical & electronic engineering Electrical & electronic engineering, general
  • Electrical & electronic engineering Electronic equipment & components production
  • Electrical & electronic engineering Radar equipment production
  • Electrical & electronic engineering Telephone & telegraph equipment production
  • Electrical & electronic engineering Television & radio transmitting & receiving equipment production

Notes:

Established in 1917, reconstructed 1925 and floated as a public company 1937. A major UK electrical engineering and electronics business. Manufactured radios and telephones in 1920s and televisions for John Logie Baird. Also electrical components generally and in 1930s aircraft and aero engine components. 1951 established Electronic & Equipment Branch and in 1961 merged with British Ericsson Telephone Co Ltd and Automatic Telephone & Electric Co Ltd to dominate British telephone equipment industry. Diversified further into defence systems, especially marine and radar. Also leaders in computer design. 1985-86 failed hostile takeover by GEC. 1988 established with GEC GEC Plessey Telecommunications Ltd. 1989 acquired by GEC Plc and Siemens AG jointly and subsequently broken up.

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