Quarndon Electronics Limited is a well known electronic component distributor, specialising in a first class and reliable supply of semiconductor devices throughout the UK. Other products include the supply of Modules and Evaluation Boards; Microcomputer Boards and Systems; Industrial PC/AT Computers; Workstations and Monitors. Quarndon also offer a Systems Integration Service.
The Company was founded in 1962 to market a range of semiconductor components as well as to promote the design and manufacture of special digital instruments. The Company has a strong financial base with its own purpose-built premises in Derby.
Quarndon’s marketing strength has always been in providing strong and accurate technical, application, and design-in services to many varied customers, particularly with microprocessor and microprocessor related complex ‘state-of-the-art’ products.
The Company’s considerable experience in the Design, Development and Manufacture of the Quarndon Microcomputer System (QMS) which featured a unique range of CPU boards utilizing different 8 and 16 bit microprocessors, all fully compatible with QMS Memory, Interface and support boards via the Quarndon bus (Qbus), has enabled a ‘customer oriented’ discipline which transcends throughout the company today.
This expertise lead to the creation of our Boards & Systems Department, initially focused on proprietary boards from the Texas Instrument’s TM990 range, but quickly increased to include Radstone’s range of VMEbus boards and latterly VMEbus and PCbus Boards and Systems from International Manufacturers including Xycom, Philips, Thales, and Motorola, to name but a few. Enhanced services include Systems Integration and Software support, thus providing complete ready-to-use System solutions.
We can also enhance your finished product by the design and supply of a customised solution, to interact with OEM boards. Customisation has extended to OEM boards that have been withdrawn being brought back to life with enhancements, if required. British Aerospace (Marconi Avionics), Smiths Industries, ThermoRadiometrie are a few of the companies we have helped overcome the limitations of life and standard issue products.
history
Quarndon Electronics was founded in 1962 by J.D.L. (David) Rose, a qualified Charted Accountant, who had served two years in the RAF, returning to his Accountancy firm in 1961. The company was originally formed so that he could obtain a wide range of parts at wholesale prices rather than relying on a retailer in Derby. The first premises were a converted stable at the family home in Quarndon. These premises were ideal for the first 18 months while QE was a hobby making audio equipment for various people and some industrial equipment for local businesses.
In 1963 the firm of Chartered Accountants offered David a partnership which was of course interesting. They then ruined the discussion as it drew to a close by saying "you will have to pack in that electronics nonsense!" This was so annoying to David that he immediately declined their offer and gave them his notice.
There was further industrial work concerned with beer bottle labeling machines, coal mine signaling and temperature control. This required larger premises in Slack Lane situated over the Wine and Spirit department of Burrows & Sturgess Ltd with access by an exterior iron staircase. Reps and customers had to be directed to go up the iron staircases.
The mining system required the new range of silicon transistors that had been introduced by Texas Instruments. As these were on 26 weeks delivery he decided to buy extra quantities which also enabled him to obtain better pricing. This led to the idea of offering these items for sale. The first advert of 1/8th page in Wireless World produced 380 replies and £90 sales in the first month - doubling thereafter month by month.
Following this introduction into distribution as the first distributer for Texas Instruments in the UK, the company took on more of their products as they introduced them. Additionally they were approached by other new semiconductor firms wanting to market their products.
Good business relations with practically all the U.K.s Universities and Colleges along with many research and development departments of all types of firms who had bought various parts from the company but who were extremely interested in the Texas 74 Logic Family. This family and upgraded versions were used extensively to make all types of industrial equipment.
QE's booklets, prepared in-house, giving concise data on the range available, proved very popular, so much so that Texas asked the company to reprint it for them for use in Scandinavia.
By 1970 premises were built to accommodate the expanding business on the site still occupied today. The first microprocessors appeared in the mid 1970s and with the extensive franchises at that time they developed a universal microcomputer system. This system could accommodate six boards; the front one was always the CPU card and versions were available for 8080, 8085, 2650, 6800, Z80, 8086 and Z8000. A variety of memory and interface cards could be used in the five remaining slots - the important factor being that they were used with all the CPU cards. This made an extremely attractive package for Universities who bought one system to cover all the processors available at that time rather than several systems from various manufacturers all operating in a different manner.
The company's activity in selling components by mailing technical details contrasted with distributors appointed later who provided little or no technical expertise but had reps carrying out a commodity sales operation.
In the early 1990s a major change took place. Most of the manufacturers decided to have distributors who covered Europe offering the franchise to American distributors in each country . So after 30 years working with Texas Instruments the direct relationship finished. The company does retain strong links with Texas and Philips who particularly appreciate their work with micro-controllers and video graphics parts thereby enabling them to continue to promote and supply their products. One advantage of this less formal arrangement (the franchise agreement restricted the company's ability to buy from other suppliers), is that QE has now built-up contacts world-wide and can in fact offer a far greater range of product now than the company could do previously. Presenting and marketing this range is the company's challenge for the future.
