Kenwood Corporation
Japanese electronics manufacturer known for amateur radio and audio equipment.
Kenwood is a Japanese consumer electronics brand, now part of JVCKenwood following a merger in 2008. The company’s roots trace back to 1946, when it was founded as Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd. in Nagano Prefecture. It was renamed Trio Corporation in 1960, and later rebranded as Kenwood in 1986 after acquiring the brand name. The "Kenwood" name was coined by William Kasuga, combining "Ken" (a name deemed acceptable to American consumers, similar to Kenmore) with "Wood" (referring to the material and suggesting a link to Hollywood). The company opened its first overseas office in Los Angeles County in 1963.
Kenwood’s product line has included AM/FM stereo receivers, cassette tape decks and recorders, amateur (ham) radio equipment, radios, televisions, cellular phones, speakers, and other consumer electronics. It introduced the first car stereo speaker with a honeycombed linear plane diaphragm. The company also produced a series of KA Series integrated amplifiers from 1977 through the mid-1980s, known for true dual-mono stereo paths, brushed aluminum front plates, and analog VU meters. In 2001, Kenwood launched its Sovereign line of components, but discontinued consumer audio receivers, home theatre systems, and other home electronics in 2007.
Kenwood has offered a range of amateur radio transceivers, including HF, VHF/UHF, and portable models, some with built-in digital data modes like Automatic Packet Reporting System. Its communications equipment extends to two-way radios for standards such as PMR446, DMR, NXDN, and Project 25, as well as DECT intercom systems and certified intrinsically safe hand-portable radios. The company also entered the U.S. land mobile radio market in 1983 and the European licensed PMR market in 1991, and supplied wireless radio equipment to McLaren for Formula 1. In 1995, Kenwood’s amateur wireless equipment was used aboard the Mir space station.
Quick Facts
- Romanized Name
- Kabushiki gaisha Ken'uddo
- Former Names
- Kasuga Radio Co., Ltd. (1946–1960) / Trio Corporation (1960–1986)
- Founded
- 21 December 1946 in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
- Defunct
- 1 October 2008The original company was absorbed into JVCKenwood, although some products made by the company still use the Kenwood brand.
- Successor
- JVCKenwood
- Hq Location
- Hachiōji, Tokyo
- Hq Location Country
- Japan
- Fate
- Merged with Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
- Key People
- Shoichiro Eguchi (CEO)
- Industry
- Electronics
- Products
- Consumer electronics
- Revenue
- US$1.71 billion
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Kenwood was established on 21 December 1946 as the Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd. in Komagane, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. In 1960, the company was renamed Trio Corporation. During the early 1960s, Trio's products were rebranded and sold by the Lafayette Radio Company, which focused on citizens band (CB) radio. The name 'Kenwood' was invented by William 'Bill' Kasuga as a combination of 'Ken' (a name common to Japan and North America) and 'Wood' (referring to the material, as well as suggesting a relation to Hollywood, California). Kenwood became more widely recognized than Trio, leading to the company's rebranding. In 1986, Trio acquired Kenwood and subsequently rebranded as the Kenwood Corporation. In October 2008, Kenwood merged with JVC to form a new holding company, JVCKenwood.
Kenwood introduced its Sovereign line of components in 2001. In 2007, it discontinued its line of consumer audio receivers, home theatre systems, and other home electronics. The company has produced two-way radios for a variety of communications standards, including wireless DECT intercom systems, PMR446, DPMR446, Project 25, DMR, and NXDN. Their communications product range includes hand-portable and mobile terminals, repeaters, infrastructure, and application solutions. The Mir space station carried Kenwood's amateur wireless equipment in 1995.
Reader's Guide
Kenwood's significance lies in its long history of innovation in both consumer audio and professional communications. The company introduced the industry's first transistor amplifier in 1962 and fully transistorized audio products in 1966. Its KA Series integrated amplifiers, produced from 1977 through the mid-1980s, featured true dual-mono path design and brushed aluminium front plates, becoming notable among hi-fi enthusiasts. In amateur radio, Kenwood has offered lines of HF, VHF/UHF, and portable models, including some with built-in digital data modes such as Automatic Packet Reporting System. The company's communications equipment has been used in critical applications, including a contract with McLaren for the F1 championship and a three-year sponsorship of MotoGP. Kenwood also developed the world's first mobile digital broadcast receiving system jointly in 1999 and launched the first ATEX certified analogue two-way radio in 2010. Its acquisition of E.F. Johnson Technologies Inc. in 2014 and capital alliance with Tait International Ltd. in 2018 further strengthened its position in the land mobile radio market. The company's legacy includes pioneering car stereo speakers with honeycombed linear plane diaphragms and being the first Japanese manufacturer to launch car-mounted DAB receivers in 1997.
Did You Know?
- Kenwood introduced the first car stereo speaker to use a honeycombed linear plane diaphragm.
- Kenwood launched its first amateur radio in 1958.
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