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Blaydon Communications MD Announces Retirement
Blaydon Communications has announced that after more than 40 years in charge their managing director, Dave Chapman, has decided to ‘hang up his sound level meter’ and retire from the company.
During his reign Dave has guided the company through many avenues of the sound and communication industry, from the humble beginnings of supplying, installing and maintaining such things as push button intercoms, right through to the current line of business which includes all aspects of public address, pro sound, induction loop, visual systems, digital conference systems and CCTV.
Coming from a national telephone systems company, he started working for the associate company of North East Time Recorders Limited in 1967, when they had identified a need to diversify into the sound and communications market and to this end they employed Dave. After a few years it was decided to start another company for this side of the business and Blaydon Communications Limited was registered in 1972.
Since then he has seen dramatic changes in both legislation and technology, things that are now taken as the ‘norm’ such as the ability to sell a telephone answering machine, where previously they could only be hired. The liberalisation of the telephone systems market was another change, with Blaydon Communications being the first company in the North East to supply and install a ‘Vision’ key telephone system. And of course the technological change from valves to transistors to integrated circuits, which have dramatically changed the industry.
Throughout his time in the industry he has forged friendships with many fellow distributors and installers assuring him of a respected status both currently and for future ventures that he may be involved in. He has set up distributorships with some major players in the audio industry including TOA, RCF, KV2, beyerdynamic and many more. In addition to these distributorships he has cemented the name of Blaydon Communications firmly in the trade and ensured that the company has sufficient supplier accounts to supply just about any manufacturer products whilst still maintaining an ever increasing profit margin.
Blaydon’s Paul Dougherty explained: “Dave has seen many changes in the sound industry during his time at Blaydon and has commented on these changes many times, as most of you are aware! Don’t get your hopes up though because his immediate plans include being available for freelance sound consultancy, so we are sure that those of you who know Dave will still be in contact with him for a while yet. We are certain that in the long term Dave will eventually completely retire to indulge in his passion of photography and we wish him good luck and happiness when this time comes.”
Dave Chapman added: “I am looking forward to my 'retirement' and just to keep me occupied I’m starting two companies - one in the sound industry and the other one for photographic services.
I know that I am leaving both Blaydon and North East in the very capable hands of Paul and Chris and wish them all the success they deserve.”
Paul again: “In addition to Blaydon Communications Dave was also managing director of our associate company, North East Time Recorders Limited, from which he will also be retiring.”
Dave’s last day with both companies will be 31st March 2008 at which time Paul Dougherty will take over the role in respect to the business of Blaydon Communications and Chris Routledge in respect of the business of North East Time Recorders.
In picture: Dave Chapman, centre, with Chris Routlidge and Paul Dougherty.
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