Location:
43 Moresby Avenue
Waihi 3610
(Corner of Moresby Avenue and Martha Street)
In 1962 PYE built the factory on the corner of Moresby Avenue and Martha Street as a manufacturing plant for electronic components and television sets.
In 1932 when radio was in its infancy Keith Wrigley recognised that radio had a tremendous future and opened a radio sales and repairs shop in A.J Deans Building, lower Seddon St. As his business grew and space became limited he shifted to other premises in town before purchasing Kings Theatre on Hazsard Street in 1942 to use as a factory to manufacture radio components.
By 1947 Akrad Radio Corporation was formed and utilised its machine shop for the production of other lines. Tricycle production had begun in 1946 and reached its peak in 1947 when three quarters of the staff were engaged on it. A number of prototype motor scooters were also produced. By 1951 PYE NZ was set up; and in 1955 restructuring saw a name change to PYE Ltd, with a controlling interest in Akrad and the Waihi factory. This acquisition brought further expansion to the plant in Haszard St which led to the construction of the Moresby Avenue building.
In 1979-1980 the Dutch based Phillips organisation took over the NZ operation of PYE. With the takeover by Phillips and its subsequent rationalisation of activities the factory was closed in 1987.
