In the early 1960’s I was interested to see what was new in my industry from Japanese suppliers and so I embarked on my first round-the-world trip. I left on a BOAC flight from Zurich to Singapore with the intention of visiting with my friend Robert Tan (see Army period) to find out what was new with him. A small piece of drama occurred when we land in Singapore. My case didn’t turn up. Although impossible now, I grabbed a member of the airport ground staff, explained the problem and he drove me to the plane where they were about to shut the under belly cargo door prior to the plane leaving for Sydney. I jump up into the hold and found my case.
Robert was a mine of information and told me that no one in Japan would see me without a letter of introduction. He kindly typed out a number of letters and directed me first to his friend a Mr Chan in Hong Kong where I had planned to stop anyway. MrChan owned Excel Hi Fi Services in Pedder Street. I went in to the store (all HiFi and stereo), gave the letter to MrChan who studied it carefully. He explained that the latest He informed me that the latest brand to come out of Japan was TEAC (Tokyo Electric Acoustic Corporation) and that it was owned by the Tani brothers. He went on to say that TEAC had been making tape recorders for American Concertone and not selling under their own name. However this had just changed and TEAC were now entering the market directly as TEAC. He further advised that I would be unlikely to get any product as they could not make enough for their existing customers.
Mr Chan was thoughtful for a moment and then said “I have an idea”. “If you can get two sets of American JBL loudspeakers into Japan then President Tani would have an Hon to you and you would get the line and I would get more product”. So there was my challenge. Eight cardboard boxes, two base units, two middle range units and two crossover networks.
Arriving in Tokyo there was my pile of boxes coming down the conveyor and me being scrutinised by the Japanese Customs officer. “I am an importer of HiFi from England and want to have these American Loudspeakers copied her in Japan” I explained. He gave me a hard, very Oriental look, paused and then with a gesture of his hand, waved me through.
I got word of my arrival to TEAC and they sent a car to collect me (and the boxes) from my hotel. I met with the Tani Brothers and was given VIP treatment. The older brother (shown with me in the photograph) took me to his house for Japanese refreshments. I had to take my shoes off, which was a little embarrassing as there was a hole in my sock (my wife hated darning). I did my best to cover it up. We sat on the floor, in came Mr Tani’s wife with refreshments, moving in a forward shuffle. She put her tray down and shuffled backwards out of the room.
TEAC made a number of models but one in particular which was a copy of the Ampex 350 studio machine sold really well to the all the up and coming pirate radio stations appearing at that time. The equipment was ordered and paid for from Lichtenstein and delivered to Eire for fitting out in that country. About a year later President Tani visited the UK and the photo shows him in my office at 89/90 High Street. That room had been the coal store for the house.
