SME Limited Acquires the Garrard Audio Brand - SME
01 May SME Limited Acquires the Garrard Audio Brand
Posted at 15:56h in Press Releases by Jake
1st May 2018 – Steyning, England – SME, the British engineering and specialist Hi-Fi company, has acquired the rights to the Garrard audio brand from IGB Gradiente S.A. of Brazil. A British brand synonymous with the design and manufacture of class-leading Hi-Fi products throughout the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s, including the iconic 301 and 401 transcription turntables, Garrard is a much-admired audio brand whose products are eagerly sought out and traded worldwide.
Commenting on the acquisition, Stuart McNeilis, CEO of SME, said, “It is with great pleasure that we can announce the acquisition of the Garrard audio brand. Responsible for true icons of vinyl reproduction with the 301 and 401 turntables, in many ways, Garrard’s legacy mirrors SME’s, with precision engineering, design and manufacturing, based in the UK. Many of these great turntables were paired with SME tonearms and there has always been a natural synergy between the two company’s products. As an iconic British brand, Garrard deserves to be enjoyed by a new generation of audiophiles.”
To support owners of existing Garrard idler drive turntables, SME has also acquired Loricraft Audio, the only authorised Garrard service agent. Responsible in many ways for keeping the Garrard legacy alive, Terry O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Loricraft, and his team has serviced and re-built Garrard products since 1997, along with manufacturing support products, including its renowned range of vinyl record cleaning machines. “With years of experience and expert knowledge that will be crucial as SME develops the Garrard audio brand, the acquisition of Loricraft Audio was essential, as it enables the continued ability to service and maintain existing products.” added McNeilis. “We are delighted that Terry and his team will join the SME family and bring their vast experience with them.”
There will be further announcements regarding the development of the Garrard audio brand in the near future. For the time being, Loricraft Audio, now supported by SME, will continue offering its re-build and repair service for Garrard 301’s and 401’s, along with the supply of its accessories and record cleaning machines, from its facility in West Berkshire, England.
Media contact:
Andy Napthine
07920 425166 / andy@napthineporter.com
Editors Notes:
About SME
Founded by Alastair Robertson-Aikman in 1946, SME (Scale Model Equipment) Limited is one of the UK’s leading precision engineering companies, designing and manufacturing class-leading turntables and tonearms that have received acclaim the world over.
From design and toolmaking through to all aspects of manufacturing including CNC machining, pressure die-casting, injection moulding, metal finishing, electro-plating, anodising and many other processes, SME manufactures all of its precision turntables and tonearms totally in-house. In addition, the company works across a wide range of sectors including F1, Aerospace and the Medical Equipment Industry, supplying specialist precision engineering services.
About Garrard
A British brand famous for the design and manufacturing of turntables throughout the 1950’s, ’60’s, 70’s and 80’s, The Garrard Engineering and Manufacturing Company was formed in London by the Crown Jewellers Garrard & Co. in 1915. Moving to Swindon, Wiltshire in 1919/1920, the company went on to develop some of audio’s most iconic turntables, namely the 301 and 401 transcription turntables. Sold to electronics conglomerate Plessey in 1960, the company continued to develop audio products until it was sold to Gradiente Electronics of Brazil in 1979. R&D continued in Swindon until the mid-90s, when the British company closed its doors. Since 1997, Loricraft Audio has been using the Garrard brand name under license from Gradiente until April 2018, when the brand was purchased by SME Limited.
About Loricraft Audio
Founded by Terry O’Sullivan and located in Lambourn, West Berkshire, England close to the site of the original Garrard gramophone factory in Swindon, Loricraft Audio has been servicing, refurbishing and producing plinths for the iconic Garrard 301 and 401 transcriptor turntables to their original specification for over 30 years, as well as producing the highly respected Garrard 501 and 601. Thanks to relationships with many of the former employees and senior engineers at Garrard, it has a unique insight into the design philosophy behind the company’s renowned idler wheel turntables. A small group of dedicated engineers and enthusiasts, Loricraft has also developed upgrades and modifications to Garrard turntables, as well as produce a wide range of accessories and record cleaning machines.
Contacts for publication:
Head Office & Factory:
SME Limited
Mill Road
Steyning
West Sussex
BN44 3GY
England
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44(0) 1903 814321
General enquiries: enquiries@sme-audio.com
01 May SME Limited Acquires the Garrard Audio Brand
Posted at 15:56h in Press Releases by Jake
1st May 2018 – Steyning, England – SME, the British engineering and specialist Hi-Fi company, has acquired the rights to the Garrard audio brand from IGB Gradiente S.A. of Brazil. A British brand synonymous with the design and manufacture of class-leading Hi-Fi products throughout the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s, including the iconic 301 and 401 transcription turntables, Garrard is a much-admired audio brand whose products are eagerly sought out and traded worldwide.
Commenting on the acquisition, Stuart McNeilis, CEO of SME, said, “It is with great pleasure that we can announce the acquisition of the Garrard audio brand. Responsible for true icons of vinyl reproduction with the 301 and 401 turntables, in many ways, Garrard’s legacy mirrors SME’s, with precision engineering, design and manufacturing, based in the UK. Many of these great turntables were paired with SME tonearms and there has always been a natural synergy between the two company’s products. As an iconic British brand, Garrard deserves to be enjoyed by a new generation of audiophiles.”
To support owners of existing Garrard idler drive turntables, SME has also acquired Loricraft Audio, the only authorised Garrard service agent. Responsible in many ways for keeping the Garrard legacy alive, Terry O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Loricraft, and his team has serviced and re-built Garrard products since 1997, along with manufacturing support products, including its renowned range of vinyl record cleaning machines. “With years of experience and expert knowledge that will be crucial as SME develops the Garrard audio brand, the acquisition of Loricraft Audio was essential, as it enables the continued ability to service and maintain existing products.” added McNeilis. “We are delighted that Terry and his team will join the SME family and bring their vast experience with them.”
There will be further announcements regarding the development of the Garrard audio brand in the near future. For the time being, Loricraft Audio, now supported by SME, will continue offering its re-build and repair service for Garrard 301’s and 401’s, along with the supply of its accessories and record cleaning machines, from its facility in West Berkshire, England.
Media contact:
Andy Napthine
07920 425166 / andy@napthineporter.com
Editors Notes:
About SME
Founded by Alastair Robertson-Aikman in 1946, SME (Scale Model Equipment) Limited is one of the UK’s leading precision engineering companies, designing and manufacturing class-leading turntables and tonearms that have received acclaim the world over.
From design and toolmaking through to all aspects of manufacturing including CNC machining, pressure die-casting, injection moulding, metal finishing, electro-plating, anodising and many other processes, SME manufactures all of its precision turntables and tonearms totally in-house. In addition, the company works across a wide range of sectors including F1, Aerospace and the Medical Equipment Industry, supplying specialist precision engineering services.
About Garrard
A British brand famous for the design and manufacturing of turntables throughout the 1950’s, ’60’s, 70’s and 80’s, The Garrard Engineering and Manufacturing Company was formed in London by the Crown Jewellers Garrard & Co. in 1915. Moving to Swindon, Wiltshire in 1919/1920, the company went on to develop some of audio’s most iconic turntables, namely the 301 and 401 transcription turntables. Sold to electronics conglomerate Plessey in 1960, the company continued to develop audio products until it was sold to Gradiente Electronics of Brazil in 1979. R&D continued in Swindon until the mid-90s, when the British company closed its doors. Since 1997, Loricraft Audio has been using the Garrard brand name under license from Gradiente until April 2018, when the brand was purchased by SME Limited.
About Loricraft Audio
Founded by Terry O’Sullivan and located in Lambourn, West Berkshire, England close to the site of the original Garrard gramophone factory in Swindon, Loricraft Audio has been servicing, refurbishing and producing plinths for the iconic Garrard 301 and 401 transcriptor turntables to their original specification for over 30 years, as well as producing the highly respected Garrard 501 and 601. Thanks to relationships with many of the former employees and senior engineers at Garrard, it has a unique insight into the design philosophy behind the company’s renowned idler wheel turntables. A small group of dedicated engineers and enthusiasts, Loricraft has also developed upgrades and modifications to Garrard turntables, as well as produce a wide range of accessories and record cleaning machines.
Contacts for publication:
Head Office & Factory:
SME Limited
Mill Road
Steyning
West Sussex
BN44 3GY
England
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44(0) 1903 814321
General enquiries: enquiries@sme-audio.com
Will be great for the UK to have the name Garrard back in ownership. Sounds like we can look forward to the release of a re-engineered idler drive 301/401 turntable. Not that I would be able to afford the undoubtably high cost of one! I can only hope that an updated version of the idler drive Garrard SP25 will enter the budget turntable market!
My first "decent" turntable (and I was still in high school and saved all summer for it) was a Garrard SP-25 MKIV that I purchased from the Henry's Radio in Place Annesens in Brussels way back in 1975. My mom actually went with me, probably the only time she ever went to one of my electronic haunts.. LOL
My perception is that earlier SP-25 (MKII) were considerably better tables, by 1975 Garrard was competing with the increasing tide of Japanese tables showing up in Europe and the U.S., and the MKIV was cost engineered to the extreme, really quite flimsy compared to my TD-124s which by then were probably pretty cheap as recently passe technology. (I didn't know any better at the time)
I doubt profoundly that this union is going to yield anything remotely affordable, what it will probably yield is a hideously expensive and profoundly re-engineered idler drive to compete with the likes of the Audio Silente Blackstone, and Win Tinnon's Saskia II turntable.
I'm delighted though that Garrard is back in British hands, a good first step I'd say.
I've had some interesting SME stuff over the years, including a 20/2 turntable which was without question the best table I've had here. (Not sure how or if it could be made to work with the ET arms I like these days..)
My perception is that earlier SP-25 (MKII) were considerably better tables, by 1975 Garrard was competing with the increasing tide of Japanese tables showing up in Europe and the U.S., and the MKIV was cost engineered to the extreme, really quite flimsy compared to my TD-124s which by then were probably pretty cheap as recently passe technology. (I didn't know any better at the time)
I doubt profoundly that this union is going to yield anything remotely affordable, what it will probably yield is a hideously expensive and profoundly re-engineered idler drive to compete with the likes of the Audio Silente Blackstone, and Win Tinnon's Saskia II turntable.
I'm delighted though that Garrard is back in British hands, a good first step I'd say.
I've had some interesting SME stuff over the years, including a 20/2 turntable which was without question the best table I've had here. (Not sure how or if it could be made to work with the ET arms I like these days..)
The name is back in British hands, Loricraft has been in their shed in Lambourn all along. Expecting Nigel to pop up and explain his part in all this soon 
.
I know that is it treason to fit anything but an SME arm to a classic Garrard so they do go together like cheese and pickle. And SME are good at making the small fiddly parts that idlers need.
I don't know how old Terry is, but he's been fixing Garrards for 30 years so he may be thinking of winding down.
.I know that is it treason to fit anything but an SME arm to a classic Garrard so they do go together like cheese and pickle. And SME are good at making the small fiddly parts that idlers need.
I don't know how old Terry is, but he's been fixing Garrards for 30 years so he may be thinking of winding down.
I always regretted selling my Garrard SP25 Mk2 back in the 70s, so when a friend recently offered me one that had belonged to his father I snapped it up.
After some fettling, including converting the deck to fully manual operation and fitting an AT91 cartridge, I sat back and filled my man cave with sweet music (from my collection of old 60s & 70s LPs of course!).
The rumble from the primitive ball race turntable bearing isn't audible above the music, even through my 12" Wharfedale full range speakers. If anything, the faint rumble only adds to the ambience. Plus the idler drive provides a rock solid thirty-three and one third rpm!
I have more technically advanced linear tracking and direct drive turntables but, somehow, they ain't half as much fun to use as my renovated Garrard SP25 Mk2!
And they say nostalgia is not what it used to be!
After some fettling, including converting the deck to fully manual operation and fitting an AT91 cartridge, I sat back and filled my man cave with sweet music (from my collection of old 60s & 70s LPs of course!).
The rumble from the primitive ball race turntable bearing isn't audible above the music, even through my 12" Wharfedale full range speakers. If anything, the faint rumble only adds to the ambience. Plus the idler drive provides a rock solid thirty-three and one third rpm!
I have more technically advanced linear tracking and direct drive turntables but, somehow, they ain't half as much fun to use as my renovated Garrard SP25 Mk2!
And they say nostalgia is not what it used to be!
It is indeed cool that the brand has made it back home. Hopefully, they'll enjoy a long life under SME.
I'm just about to finish up refurbishing a Model 50 that I just couldn't make myself part out, and recently bought a Synchro Lab 95 strictly because I thought it looked cool. I've put way more time in the Model 50 than it's worth, and still have to refinish to wood.
-Tim
I'm just about to finish up refurbishing a Model 50 that I just couldn't make myself part out, and recently bought a Synchro Lab 95 strictly because I thought it looked cool. I've put way more time in the Model 50 than it's worth, and still have to refinish to wood.
-Tim
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In the latter half of the sixties I inherited a Garrard 4HF turntable, a model that was discontinued in 1965. I remember thinking that it appeared old fashioned compared to the sleeker Garrard SP25 Mk I which had been launched the same year. The 4HF looked very much like a Garrard 301 to which a pick-up arm had been fitted.
Armed with a crystal mono cartridge, the 4HF went on to provide sterling service at the local youth club. It fed a Linear Diatonic 10W push-pull EL84 amp which powered a 12" Fane 122/10 bass/midrange and Whitley Stentorian tweeter. To house these drive units I constructed a 5 cu ft reflex cabinet which was tuned to the Fane's resonant frequency of 40Hz.
The quality of reproduction and the more than adequate volume levels achieved by this humble system seemed quite incredible at the time. Happy days!
Armed with a crystal mono cartridge, the 4HF went on to provide sterling service at the local youth club. It fed a Linear Diatonic 10W push-pull EL84 amp which powered a 12" Fane 122/10 bass/midrange and Whitley Stentorian tweeter. To house these drive units I constructed a 5 cu ft reflex cabinet which was tuned to the Fane's resonant frequency of 40Hz.
The quality of reproduction and the more than adequate volume levels achieved by this humble system seemed quite incredible at the time. Happy days!
Thanks! It's definitely a labour of love. It looked awful when purchased (for a dollar), but still played well on manual and sounded nice. Still trying its best to keep working, I just couldn't kill it. But too nasty to keep as found, it becomes a labour of love and hopefully will last another 55 years.
Re: the autochange- yeah, looking at yours I was jealous of the single play mechanism!
Otherwise they are pretty much the same except for the tonearm. The Model 50 MkII had your tonearm, or one that looked the same externally.
I'm hoping the SL-95 is in good shape and won't take as much work, someone cut the plug off the power cord so I haven't checked it out. I've sworn not to start on it until the 50 is all done.
But these old Garrards tend to get gunked up with that peanut butter-like grease after a few decades, so I'll be ready to take the 95 apart if the need arises.
The finish on the metal looks great on your 25, did you have to do anything to it? Same for the wood, it looks great.
-Tim
Re: the autochange- yeah, looking at yours I was jealous of the single play mechanism!
Otherwise they are pretty much the same except for the tonearm. The Model 50 MkII had your tonearm, or one that looked the same externally.
I'm hoping the SL-95 is in good shape and won't take as much work, someone cut the plug off the power cord so I haven't checked it out. I've sworn not to start on it until the 50 is all done.
But these old Garrards tend to get gunked up with that peanut butter-like grease after a few decades, so I'll be ready to take the 95 apart if the need arises.
The finish on the metal looks great on your 25, did you have to do anything to it? Same for the wood, it looks great.
-Tim
The metalwork on your 50 looks pristine Tim. If you refinished it, you've done a great job.
Unfortunately, as my 25 was rescued from a damp UK garage, its steel chassis suffers from a few small rust spots. I simply give these an occasional wipe with a barely oily cloth. This darkens the rust spots and prevents further oxidation.
I'm afraid that the camera flatters the plinth. It's simply VWC - vinyl wrapped chipboard!
Unfortunately, as my 25 was rescued from a damp UK garage, its steel chassis suffers from a few small rust spots. I simply give these an occasional wipe with a barely oily cloth. This darkens the rust spots and prevents further oxidation.
I'm afraid that the camera flatters the plinth. It's simply VWC - vinyl wrapped chipboard!
Well, it looks good from here!
Mine was originally that blue-gray color that has an industrial look to it. No rust, but quite a few dark spots that looked like mold. No amount of cleaning, polishing or rubbing compound would get them off. Since it was already halfway apart, a complete disassembly and repaint looked like the only way to go.
Labour of love, you know? It has about 10 coats of rattle-can primer and sea-green with a lot of sanding, glazing putty, paint, and repeat in between.
Also stored in a damp house in terrible disrepair for who knows how long. Some previous owner had given the wood a thick coat of varnish or shellac and two pieces of cove molding nailed and shellac'd on to support a dust cover that didn't fit. All the zinc coated pieces underneath were covered in oxidation/fluff.
Mine was originally that blue-gray color that has an industrial look to it. No rust, but quite a few dark spots that looked like mold. No amount of cleaning, polishing or rubbing compound would get them off. Since it was already halfway apart, a complete disassembly and repaint looked like the only way to go.
Labour of love, you know? It has about 10 coats of rattle-can primer and sea-green with a lot of sanding, glazing putty, paint, and repeat in between.
Also stored in a damp house in terrible disrepair for who knows how long. Some previous owner had given the wood a thick coat of varnish or shellac and two pieces of cove molding nailed and shellac'd on to support a dust cover that didn't fit. All the zinc coated pieces underneath were covered in oxidation/fluff.
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SME and Garrard Brands both are iconic and much loved brands. I wonder what will they name their new turntables. Garrard or SME ?
@Galu nice refurbishing. Here is my restoration of Garrard 6 400 Changer. The pictures are no longer there but there is link to slideshow which is still working. I have given away this changer to a friend. After initial enthusiasm he no longer listens to it; but is not giving it away either.
Regards.
@Galu nice refurbishing. Here is my restoration of Garrard 6 400 Changer. The pictures are no longer there but there is link to slideshow which is still working. I have given away this changer to a friend. After initial enthusiasm he no longer listens to it; but is not giving it away either.
Regards.
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