Tasma

Tasma was formed by two former employees of Stromberg-Carlson Australia. Fred William Parkes Thom (1904- 2000), John Edwin Smith established a small factory in Nicholson Street, East Sydney (Woolloomooloo) arounf December 1929. Their first employee was George Woodward, a former tool-maker also from Stromberg Carlson.

Establisment and expansion

The company first built and sold 3 or 4 Valve TRF mantle and console radio sets. They progressed to make larger, more up-to-date models. These were also wholesaled as a chassis throughout the trade as the “Economy” series. Companies then built their own cabinets. In 1931 they called these the “Tasma” series, which became their registered trade mark for all receivers.

Tasma's policy of giving good value for money meant rapid expansion, and in October 1931 they moved to a larger building at 55-57 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo.

In the latter part of 1932 they decided promote the brand “Tasma” throughout Australasia. This was acheived through a consistent marketing policy to . Distribution was through a large country and metropolitan dealer organisation, represented in every state and New Zealand. [1]

The company was registered in April, 1933,  and by 1938 the company had about 600 active dealers across Australia.

In 1936 they moved to a larger factory at 29-39 Botany Road, Mascot.

During 1938 they supplied all NSW Police vehicles with Tasma Receivers and Ford Motor Company Australia placed a contract for the manufacturer and supply of car radios for Ford vehicles. The radios were branded “Tasma-Ford”.[4]

Tasma diversified into other electrical products, for example, PMG type 3000 relays for telephone exchanges.

World War 2

During World War Two Tasma manufactured transmitters and radar sets. They also manufactured 100 million plastic bullet tip cores for 303 ammunition, as well as many other mass produced items.

With requirements of the military during WWII and the Korean War demanding low prices, Government regulated profit margins took a great toll on Tasma and they suffered some great losses from which Tasma never recovered.

Decline and closure

To raise funds and prepare for Television Tasma converted to a Public Company in August 1948. However, by 1952/3, with heavy competition and industrial relations problems, the company was having further liquidity problems.

In July 1954 Tasma merged with President Consolidated Ltd., a refrigerator manufacturer. Thom became Managing Director of the merged companies. Branding was changed to “President-Tasma”, and the company was advertised as the Electronics Division of President Consolidated Ltd.

In May 1955, Thom and Smith Pty. Ltd., as a division of President Consolidated Ltd., negotiated with Motorola USA to manufacture television sets and other Motorola products under License with only 10% of the components imported. The brand then became “President-Motorola”. They expected a large demand for Television sets in Australia. However, just as television began in Australia (1956) President Consolidated folded, exposing Thom and Smith as a valuable asset.

Thom and Smith Pty. Ltd., was then sold to the Pope Group, perhaps better known for garden products. Branding was changed to “Pope-Motorola”, and subsequently the company changed it's name to Pope Electronics Pty. Ltd.

After the sale, Fred Thom left the company and started a business called Thom Electronics across the road from his own factory which was later sold to James N Kirby Limited, manufacturer of lawn mowers etc. Under the Kirby ownership, Thom Electronics manufactured televisions carrying the “Crosley” brand. General Electric then bought Thom Electronics from Kirby's and subsequently wound up the business in the 1970s as pressure from imports from reduced tariffs began to take hold.[2]

Adapted from the RadioMuseum Tasma page.