Hanimex was an Australian distributor and manufacturer, primarily associated with photographic equipment.

History

Early years

The company was founded by Jack Hannes (1923-2005). Born in Germany and educated in England, Hannes' family fled Germany for Australia in 1939. After becoming involved in the import of photographic products in the years following the end of

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, Hannes formed Hanimex (an abbreviation of "HANnes" "IMport" "EXport") in 1947. Hanimex was the sole distributor of

Fujifilm , trading as , or simply Fuji, is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operating in the areas of photography, optics, Office supplies, office and Biomedical engine ...

products in Australia from 1954 until Fujifilm themselves purchased the company in 2004.

Growth

In the mid-1950s, Australian import restrictions led Hanimex to begin manufacturing projectors there locally, and by the early 1970s it was the second-largest manufacturer of slide projectors in the world. Hanimex 28mm 2

Hanimex distributed cameras from a large number of manufacturers under its own name, including those of

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and others, and eventually grew influential enough to move beyond simple rebranding and into having significant input into the design of such products. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Hanimex also sold several

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-style video games consoles (including rebadged designs from Hong Kong manufacturer Soundic) as well as the "Hanimex Pencil II"

home computer Home computers were a class of microcomputers that entered the market in 1977 and became common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as affordable and accessible computers that, for the first time, were intended for the use of a s ...

(also designed by Soundic).

Cassette recorders and related products

In August 1971, the company introduced the HC-1000. This was a portable battery operated cassette recorder featuring microphone compartment, carry handle and auxiliary input as well as mains adaptor. The machine was promoted throughout the UK during 1972 as a reduced price offer at petrol stations with 6 vouchers required to secure the offer. It was sold along with an

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-produced 'musicassette'. As the equipment was very basic (made using plastic) and the market was awash with other manufacturers i.e.

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, Bush, and

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manufacturing similar, and better quality, equipment, the model ceased production after just 12 months in August 1972. However, during the early 1970s further models were also manufactured by Hanimex including the HC-2000, HC-2040 cassette recorders and the CT-3030 cassette tape player followed by the HRC (Hanimex Radio Cassette) Model 5020, an 8-Track Stereo Cartridge with AM/FM Receiver and digital Digital Alarm Clock. In 1974 a further production release was the HRC-5070 an AM/FM Radio Cassette Player. Many of the products were made in Korea to reduce manufacturing costs.

Resignation of Hannes and later years

Jack Hannes was awarded the Queens medal for services to Australian industry, and was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Japanese Photo Industry Association for promoting international friendship and prosperity. He resigned from the company in 1982 following disagreements with a

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appointed by its then-majority

shareholder A shareholder (in the United States often referred to as stockholder) of corporate stock refers to an individual or legal entity (such as another corporation, a body politic, a trust or partnership) that is registered by the corporation as the ...

that prevented him running it as he wished. In 2005, while on holiday in Switzerland, Hannes died aged 81. In 1985, Hanimex purchased

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. In 1989, Hanimex was purchased by

Gestetner The Gestetner is a type of duplicating machine named after its inventor, David Gestetner (1854–1939). During the 20th century, the term ''Gestetner'' was used as a verb—as in ''Gestetnering''. The Gestetner company established its base in Lo ...

, which was in turn taken over by

Ricoh is a Japanese multinational imaging and electronics company. It was founded by the now-defunct commercial division of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (Riken) known as the ''Riken Concern'', on 6 February 1936 as . Ricoh's hea ...

in 1995. In 2004, Fujifilm bought Hanimex from Ricoh, following which it became known as FujiFilm Australia Pty Ltd. and the Hanimex name was discontinued.

References

External links

* - Archive of site shortly prior to takeover * - Archive of site shortly prior to takeover * {{Authority control Photography companies of Australia Fujifilm