Celestion

The work of what would become Celestion started in Hampton Wick (suburban London) in 1924. Celestion Radio Company and Celestion Limited were formed in 1927, and two years later the company moved across the Thames to Kingston. The company grew rapidly, but was hit by the depression. Wartime restrictions forced Celestion and the nearby British Rola Company to produce loudspeakers to the same specification; British Rola bought Celestion in 1947 and moved production to Thames Ditton a year later. The name of the company changed to Rola Celestion; with its products sold under the brand name "Celestion". (MPP, later a camera maker, was formed as a subsidiary during the war.)

Production of radio, television and "hi fi" speakers continued in the postwar years. Rola Celestion was bought by Truvox - a manufacturer of public address systems in 1949. In 1968 the company started production in Ipswich, moving all production there by 1975. The company merged with a clothing company in 1970 and the result was named Celestion Industries, which in turn became Celestion International in 1979. In 1992 the loudspeaker part of the business was sold to Kinergetics Holdings, which also bought KEF. Today Celestion International and KEF form GP Acoustics UK. In 2006 Celestion ceased to manufacture pro audio finished systems and now completely focus on the manufacture of guitar, bass guitar and pro audio drivers.

www.celestion.com