Byer Industries
Max Byer trained and worked as a projectionist, his work also gave him some experience with the technical aspects of the equipment as he was involed with the conversion of silent and sound-on-disk projectors to optical sound. He saw a need for locally produced blank acetate recording discs and the dividend from a wager on the Melbourne Cup prior to World War Two helped Max to start his business. Broadcast Recording Supplies (BRS) started at the rear of the premises at 8 Dorcas Street South Melbourne. The war produced an increased demand for blank discs because censorship regulations forced the pre-recording of more radio programmes, also imported blanks were harder to come by. By 1946 BRS was a major supplier of acetate discs in Australia and they were manufacturing 16" turntables for the broadcast industry. The company name was changed in August 1947 to Byer Industries Pty. Ltd. Over the next few years the product range expanded greatly to include turntables, disc cutters, tape add-on units for turntables, and tape recording equipment. Byer also manufactured the PT6-JAH model tape recorders in Australia under licence for Magnecord. Rola Company (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. took over the operations of the Byer factory in late 1957 and continued to develop the product range.
Max Byer subsequently opened a Motel in Holbrook NSW which to this day still has the Byer logo promenantly displayed on the building.
Max past away in January 1985.
If you have any comments or questions please contact me.