Collier & Beale was formed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1926. In 1939 they introduced the first of a line of radios branded as ‘Pacemaker’. In 1954 the General Electric Co of England (GEC) acquired a majority shareholding in the company.
In 1957 Collier & Beale were the first New Zealand Company to design and manufacture a portable transistor radio. Known as the Pacemaker Transportable it used 8 RCA transistors and it was claimed to be the only set in the world at that time to use an RF stage.
During the next couple of years Collier & Beale formed a relationship with the Sony Corporation that enabled them to manufacture certain models in New Zealand under license. These radios were branded as ‘Sony Pacemaker’ and production continued until 1966.
By 1973 Collier & Beale had ceased to exist as they were taken over by GEC (NZ) Ltd.
REF: The Golden Age of Radio in the Home by John W Stokes.
