Harvard International
 | |
| Private | |
| Industry | Consumer electronics |
| Headquarters | Elstree, Hertfordshire, England |
Key people | Mark Taylor (CEO) |
Number of employees | 35 |
| Subsidiaries |
Goodmans View 21 Betacom ~ Former Brands ~ Bush PULSE Home Products Breville Hinari Alba Grundig |
| Website |
www |
Harvard International Ltd (previously known as Harris Overseas Ltd and Alba Group of Companies) is a British consumer electronics company, which owns the Goodmans and View 21 brands in the UK and Bush in Oceania. It also distributes iLuv products in the UK and uses the Blaupunkt brand under licence in Australia.
History
The company was originally called the Alba Group of Companies, and made only low-cost consumer products under its own brand name. It expanded by founding and also acquiring other companies either wholly, in part or UK brand rights, building it into a large company.
Having taken over many other electronics and electrical companies, the Alba and Bush brand names were sold on 27 November 2008 to Milton Keynes-based Home Retail Group, the owner of Argos, in a £15.25 million deal. Following the completion of the deal, Alba plc reverted to its former name Harvard International plc.[1]
In July 2012, the company was purchased by Chengdu Geeya Technology Co. Limited. Based in China, Chengdu Geeya develop and manufacturer Set-Top Box, Powerline, Ethernet Adapters and Wi-Fi Networking Products.
Former-owned brands
Harvard International also used to own Grundig, Alba, Pulse Home Products, Breville and Hinari, which are now owned by other companies. It no longer retains UK rights to the Bush brand but retains rights in Australia and New Zealand.
Financial performance
In the year ending 31 December 2013, Harvard made a loss before tax of £4.6 million on turnover of £30.1 million.
References
- ↑ Argos buys Alba and Bush brandnames Pocket lint. 27 November 2008
External links