1928-1938
On August 6, 1928, the company was started by Chicago industrialist Simon “Sy” Wexler when he was only 31 years old. Initially, Allied Radio’s purpose was to distribute radio parts for Columbia Radio Corp. At the time, Allied Radio occupied a building at 711 W. Lake Street in Chicago. Coincidentally, this address was also used by Columbia Radio Corporation from 1926-1927, Hamilton-Carr Radio Corporation from 1927-28, and Randolph Radio Corporation in 1928.
Allied was selling electronic parts by catalog. Storefront sales operations were established with the goal of selling to amateur radio operators and electronics experimenters. The company built a growing business in marketing radio parts and kits to home hobbyists, and was one of the first to sell electronics through a catalog. In addition, Allied opened storefront distribution outlets to reach more amateur ham radio operators and experimenters. During this time, Allied moved to 833 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL. Allied’s main competitors were Radio Shack, Lafayette Radio, Olson Electronics, Newark Electronics, Burstein-Applebee Co, and local independent dealers (such as WinterRadio). Allied’s primary house brands included “Allied” and “Knight-Kit”.
Allied Radio Catalog
1929
Allied Radio Catalog
1930
Allied Radio Catalog
1931
Allied Radio Catalog
1933
Allied Radio Catalog
1935
1939-1951
Having survived the depression, Allied focused on the war effort, primarily servicing government contracts and high-priority industrial orders. During WW II, Allied devoted itself to the war effort by handling government contracts and high-priority industrial needs. This was Allied’s first real experience in industrial electronics. Allied did not produce a catalog in 1944 and 1945.
Allied Radio Catalog
1941
Allied Radio Catalog
1950
1952-1970
The electronics industry exploded as new developments in electronics were adopted on a widespread basis in commerce and industry. Innovations such as television, industrial automation, space technology and defense accelerated the need for electronics. Consumer demand also grew as radio sets and components not available during the war proliferated. During this exciting era, Allied gained both the experience and specialized staff necessary to handle both consumer and industrial sales. Allied’s main competitors were Radio Shack, Lafayette Radio, Olson Electronics, Newark Electronics, Burstein-Applebee Co., and local independent dealers (such as WinterRadio). Allied’s primary house brands included “Allied”, “Knight”, and “Knight-Kit”.
In 1953 Allied Radio Corporation moved into its new, 2 million dollar building at 100 N. Western Ave, Chicago, IL. This “ultra-modern” facility was designed by experts to give their customers the best service in the industry. The new building covered a full city block and provided 147,000 sq. ft. of efficient floor space for better, faster service. It included pneumatic tubes and conveyors to carry transactions and merchandise on a speedy order-filled schedule that cut hours off normal handling time.
Allied Radio Catalog
1954-1955
Allied Radio Catalog
1966
Chicago Tribune, October 28, 1967
The acquisition of Allied Radio corporation by LTV Ling Altec, Inc., was approved by shareholders of the two firms yesterday.
Allied owners met in Chicago. Shareholders of the Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc., subsidiary met in Anaheim, Cal.
Under the agreement, LTV Ling Altec will acquire Allied for 992,000 LTV Ling shares and will assume all of Allied’s liabilities. Allied will distribute 0.891 share of LTV Ling Altec common for each Allied share.
The agreement provides that after the transaction is completed, Allied stockholders, under certain conditions, would realize $22.22 a share for up to 80 per cent of the LTV Ling Altec shares they are entitled to receive.
In 1966, LTV Ling Altec had sales of $29,241,749 and earnings of $859,058. Allied’s 1966 sales were $69,936,553. It earned $1,708,833.
Allied Radio Catalog
1969-1970
Associated Press, April 16, 1970
Dallas, Tx.—(AP)—LTV Ling Altec Inc., has sold Allied Radio Corp., headquartered in Chicago, to Tandy Corp. of Fort Worth for about $30,000,000, company officials said.
A Ling Altec spokesman said the transaction included some $12,000,000 in cash with Ling Altec retaining certain Allied assets.
The exact price is subject to audit adjustments. The change of ownership was made effective March 29, the spokesman said.
Allied Radio Corp., maker of Electronics products, has been operating as a wholly subsidiary of LTV Ling Altec.
Allied accounted for more than half of Ling Altec’s sales of $156,000,000 last year, the spokesman said. Ling Altec is a subsidiary of Ling-Temco-Vought Inc.
Tandy Corp. is a manufacturer and marketer of recreational and leisure products and operated a chain of electronic products stores under the name Radio Shack. Tandy sales for the year ending June 30, 1969, were $180,000,000.
John L. Cockrill, president of LTV Ling Altec, said “while Allied Radio was considered to have a good long-term potential, the offer was sufficiently attractive that the board of directors considered acceptance of the offer in the best interest of the stockholders.”
Allied Radio Shack Catalog
1971
Chicago Tribune
June 4, 1970
Newspaper Insert announcing Radio Shack’s purchase of Allied Radio.
July, 1970
EPILOG
In 1993, Allied is acquired by Avnet. Two years later, they become the first company to release a catalog in CD-ROM.
On the brink of the new millennium, UK-based Electrocomponents buys Allied in 1999, now operating 69 sales offices and posting sales of $178 million for the year. Allied moves to a new facility in Fort Worth in 2007, complete with a 300,000 square foot warehouse and 57,000 square feet of office space.