1964
General information
Commodore continued their growth strategy by purchasing three additional companies in 1964: Associated Tool & Manufacturing Company Limited (a tool and die company), Belpree Company Limited (a metal stamping operation) and Commodore Industries Limited (a business machines manufacturer). These new companies would provide Commodore with additional manufacturing capacity for its existing products and allow it to pursue products in new markets.
Commodore began marketing steel office furniture and they believed they could increase sales volume and profits by manufacturing it themselves. They began construction of a new manufacturing facility behind the site of their Canadian headquarters on Warden Avenue in Scarborough, Ontario. Belpree's operations would move into this new facility to commence manufacturing steel office furniture for Commodore.
New lease contracts were signed with Macy's and Bamberger's to continue to allow Commodore to sell its products from retail spaces in those stores in the United States. Commodore's overall dealer network increased to approximately 2500 dealers by 1964.
Notable company events
- In October, 1964 Commodore sold its stake in Analogue Controls, Inc
- On March 16, 1964, Commodore purchased Associated Tool & Manufacturing Company Limited, its subsidiary Shelburne Tool Company Limited and Belpree Company Limited from Racan Photo-Copy Corporation Limited for $300,000.<ref>Report of The Royal Commission Appointed to Inquire into the Failure of Atlantic Acceptance Corporation Limited, p.291</ref>
- Commodore's Irish subsidiary, ACE Industries Limited, was renamed to Commodore Industries Limited on July 27, 1964.<ref>Report of The Royal Commission Appointed to Inquire into the Failure of Atlantic Acceptance Corporation Limited, p.415</ref>
Products
This was an ambitious year for Commodore in the product space. They continued to manufacture, market and distribute typewriters, adding machines and copying machines but they were putting research and development efforts into new products for their existing markets and prototypes for new markets.
- A prototype stair-climbing wheelchair was jointly developed by Associated Tool & Manufacturing and Belpree Company Limited. This device won first prize in a contest sponsored by the United States Department for the Employment of the Handicapped.
- Commodore Electric Adding Machine Model E10/11CB with automatic Credit Balance and direct subtraction.
- A new lightweight, electric, portable typewriter prototype was developed. Commodore was planning to reveal this new product at trade shows throughout North America in the fall.
- Development work on a new electronic calculator continued throughout the year. It was anticipated that it would be ready late in the year.
Revenue and profit
| Revenue | $5,088,449.34 |
| Net profit | $190,425.34 |
Directors
| C. Powell Morgan, C.A. - Toronto | President, Atlantic Acceptance Corp., Ltd. |
| Jack Tramiel - New York | President |
| Manfred Kapp - Toronto | Executive Vice-President |
| Harry Wagman, C.A. - Toronto | Partner, Wagman, Fruitman & Lando, C.A. |
| Wilfrid P. Gregory, B.A., Q.C. - Stratford, Ontario | President, British Mortgage & Trust Co. |
| Rennie A. Goodfellow - Toronto | Partner, Barrett Goodfellow & Co. |
| J. Aubrey Medland, B.COM., C.A. - Toronto | President, Culverhouse Canning Co. |
| Carl M. Solomon - Toronto | Partner, Solomon & Singer |
| Carman G. King | Partner, Annett Partners Ltd. |
Officers
| C. Powell Morgan | Chairman of the Board |
| Jack Tramiel | President |
| Manfred Kapp | Executive Vice-President & Secretary |
| Harry Wagman, C.A. | Treasurer & Assistant Secretary |
Corporate entities and subsidiaries
| Location | Corporate Entity |
|---|---|
| Canada | Commodore Business Machines (Canada) Ltd. |
| Commodore Drycopy Ltd. | |
| Humber Typewriters and Business Equipment Ltd. | |
| Belpree Company Ltd | |
| Associated Tool & Manufacturing Co. Ltd | |
| USA | Commodore Business Machines, Inc |
| Commodore Drycopy, Inc | |
| Analogue Controls Inc. | |
| West Germany | Willy Feiler Zahl-Und Rechenwerke GMBH |
| Ireland | Commodore Industries Limited |
June 30, 1964: Commodore Business Machines (Canada), Ltd. Annual report to shareholders