Date

Extract

Source

1900

Name changes to Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company (MWT) Ltd. on 24th March

The Marconi International Marine Communication Company Limited (MIMCO) founded as a subsidiary of MWT Ltd., to administer the maritime wireless services then being established. It became prominent in the provision of radio officers for merchant shipping. [Editors note - after a number of new owners this has now "returned home" in the form of SIRM.]

1912

1914 - 18

The Marconi Works at New Street, Chelmsford were designed and erected to replace the works at Hall Street, which had become inadequate for the needs of the growing Company. New Street was the first purpose-built radio factory in the world and ultimately became the Marconi Company headquarters. The site, part of which faces onto New Street and is Grade II listed, remained a Marconi site until 2008

First World War - extensive use of wireless by all three armed services - details

In February the MWT Company was issued a licence for experimental transmissions under the call sign 2MT . Peter Eckersley was given charge of providing both the broadcast entertainment and the engineering. The station operated out of a hut in a field at Writtle near Chelmsford, commemorated in 2012 by a special event  (very large file download). Further events are planned for 2022, and there will also be celebrations of the formation of the BBC

1929

1936

Associated Cable Companies and The Marconi Company forced by government intervention into a complex amalgamation which resulted in Marconi being owned by Cables and Wireless (Holding) Ltd. with a second new company, Imperial and International Communications Ltd. (later renamed Cable and Wireless Ltd.) acquiring the rights to traffic undertakings, assets and licences. This meant Marconi lost the revenue from its message handling, a severe blow.

Marconi-Ekco Instruments formed as a private company

1939

1941

The Marconi Research Laboratories open in Great Baddow,

Marconi-Ekco Instruments bought out to form Marconi Instruments Ltd.

1940/41

Baddow Laboratories taken over by Air Ministry, Admiralty and also become an operational RAF station.

Instrument Section plus Eckersley Group become the Kemp Group

(Comment by WJB (1970)

These measures, while necessary to the war effort, were a serious blow to the Company as a private manufacturer. Quite apart from the loss of research staff and loss of independent control over the laboratories, the patents taken out by the seconded staff became the property of the Ministry concerned, and as one minor result the Company’s real contribution to the war effort in this connection is masked.)

WJB

GG

1946

Following a review of the company’s commercial position from 1943 and the decision by the 1945 Commonwealth Telecommunications Conference to nationalise the activities of the Cable and Wireless Company the Marconi companies are purchased by the English Electric Company.

WJB

1947

F.N.Sutherland appointed General Manager of Marconi

WJB

1948

Creation of six new divisions. Each has its own engineering and sales forces with full business authority, drawing on the resources of a common works floor.

WJB

1948

R.J.Kemp appointed Chief of Research for Marconi with Dr. Eric Eastwood as Deputy.

WJB

1965

The Marconi Company is split into three main groups

RWS

1967

In  November 1967, the General Electric Company acquires Associated Electrical Industries,

RWS

1968

English Electric - parent of Marconi since 1946, and recently owner of Elliott Automation - merges with GEC. This results in a collective of the whole UK electronics industry

RWS

1969

1981

New company structure implemented with units becoming independent trading entities.

A major restructuring within the GEC-Marconi Electronics Group brought MCSL, Marconi Radar, Marconi Space and Defence Systems, Marconi Electronic Devices and McMichael Llmited together as The Marconi Company Limited under the Chairmanship of Sir Robert Telford C.B.E. also as a Director of GEC and Managing Director of GEC-Marconi responsible for the management of the major electronics interests of GEC. The Managing Director of The Marconi Company is Mr. Arthur Walsh C.B.E. who was formerly Managing Director of Marconi Space and Defence Systems.

GPT changes to Marconi Communications Ltd

GEC-Marconi Ltd changes to Marconi Electronic Systems Ltd on 4th September

Marconi Electronic Systems Ltd acquired by British Aerospace and merged to become BAe Systems Electronics Ltd on 23rd February 2000

The Marconi Research Laboratories changes to BAe Systems Advanced Technology Centre Great Baddow no longer has a Marconi presence after 60 years.

Following the merger of Marconi Electronic Systems business with British Aerospace GEC acquires the US telecommunication network products company RELTEC, and announces the proposed acquisition of US internet switching equipment company FORE Systems. In November, GEC changes name to Marconi Corporation plc

2004

2006

Marconi Selenia Communications Ltd changes to Selenia Communications Ltd

New Street factory no longer a Marconi establishment after 92 years - only the name

remains carved over the front door of the preserved front office building.   

The Marconi name and most of the assets were bought by the Swedish firm Ericsson on January 23, effective as per January 1. The Marconi name to still be used as a brand within Ericsson.

The remainder of Marconi Corporation plc changes to Telent plc

 Last public edition of "Electronics World" - the final manifestation of "The Marconigraph" after a century on the news-stands.

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