GRE (company)

Lore & Background

GRE was established in 1961 with its headquarters in Tokyo and a manufacturing facility in Chiba Prefecture. In late 1977, the company established its first overseas operation, GRE America, Inc., with a head office in California, followed by a second overseas corporation, GRE (Hong Kong), Ltd., in 1986. In 2006, Kazunori Imazeki became CEO and president. In October 2012, its China factory was shuttered and GRE ceased all production. GRE America continued to service GRECOM products and to sell and service Alinco radio products for the North American market. In May 2013, after losing Alinco's distribution rights in North America, GRE America moved from Belmont, California to San Leandro, California. In January 2014, Whistler Group took over production of GRE's scanner line; due to several of GRE's engineers working with Whistler, the products produced by the overtaking company are very similar to those of GRE's at the time of operation cessation. Whistler later began selling radio scanners formerly produced for Radio Shack with separate product numbers but identical hardware. In February 2014, GRE (Japan) head office closed its Tokyo office and relocated to its Chiba location. In September 2014, GRE Japan decided to cease its USA business operations and closed its California office due to lack of financial resources and development capabilities at GRE Japan.

Reader's Guide

GRE's significance lies in its role as a major OEM supplier and manufacturer of radio scanners and telecommunications equipment for the consumer and professional markets. The company supplied products under its own name and for prominent brands such as Radio Shack, Uniden, and Commtel, making its technology widely accessible. Its scanner line, in particular, was notable enough that after GRE ceased production in October 2012, the Whistler Group took over the line in January 2014, with former GRE engineers contributing to the continuity of the product designs. This transition allowed the scanner technology to persist in the market under a new brand, with Whistler later selling hardware identical to that formerly produced for Radio Shack under separate product numbers. GRE's legacy is also reflected in its international expansion, establishing operations in the United States and Hong Kong, and its eventual decline due to financial constraints and loss of distribution rights. The company's manufacturing facility in Chiba Prefecture, which closed in October 2012, and its China factory shuttered the same month, marked the end of its production era. GRE America continued to service existing products and handle Alinco products for a time, but by September 2014, the Japanese parent company's lack of resources led to the closure of its U.S. operations.

Did You Know?

• GRE was established in 1961 and headquartered in Tokyo.
• Its first overseas operation, GRE America, Inc., was established in late 1977 in California.
• In October 2012, GRE ceased all production after shuttering its China factory.
• Whistler Group took over GRE's scanner line in January 2014, with former GRE engineers involved.