British Acoustic Films
of Woodger Road, London
A subsidiary of Gaumont British Picture Corporation.
The company manufactured sound equipment for cinemas and also manufactured and marketed 8mm and 16mm projectors and cameras under arrangements with the Bell & Howell Company, a major American manufacturer of such goods. Taylor, Taylor and Hobson Ltd was a subsidiary of British Acoustic Films Ltd; it was an internationally known company manufacturing precision measuring instruments and specialised lenses.
1947 British Optical and Precision Engineers Ltd was formed as a public company. It acquired the businesses of British Acoustic Films Ltd and G. B.-Kalee Ltd and at the same time acquired the rest of the share capital of Taylor, Taylor & Hobson Ltd (i.e. that portion not already held by British Acoustic Films Ltd). At the same time it acquired control of the business of A. Kershaw & Sons Ltd (manufacturers of cinema projectors) and also became responsible for manufacturing and marketing internationally (excluding the American continent) a part of Bell & Howell's range of cameras and projectors.[1]
1947 One of the companies within the J. Arthur Rank Organisation which were involved in scientific research[2]; areas of development included 35mm and 16mm sound recording and reproduction equipment, 16 mm silent cameras and projectors, 8mm cameras and projectors. Sales organisation for 35 mm equipment: G. B.-Kalee Ltd; sales of 8 and 16mm equipment G. B. Equipments Ltd.
1948 Already owned many of the shares in Taylor, Taylor and Hobson[3]
1948 Acquired by British Optical and Precision Engineers also part of the J. Arthur Rank Organisation.
1956 Name of parent changed to Rank Precision Industries