A BRADFORD company is celebrating 60 years in business, and entering a new era following a change in leadership.
Autosound Ltd began by supplying car radios to the motor trade and retail markets through a team of mobile installation engineers.
Over the decades, it has evolved into a provider of advanced multimedia systems for vehicles, including planes, trains, coaches, and, now, trucks.
The company’s diamond anniversary coincides with the retirement of director Keith Ellis, with fellow director Lee Fergus now taking full ownership after buying out his shares.
‘I still love coming in every day’
Lee, who has worked at the company for 34 years, said: “I joined straight from school and never left.
“For me, it doesn’t feel like three decades, I still love coming in every day.
“I enjoy dealing with the people in this industry, operators, dealers, manufacturers, they’re a very genuine bunch.”
Autosound Ltd’s history
The company quickly expanded in its early years, opening additional branches in York, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Oldham, Nottingham and Liverpool to meet growing demand from the retail market.
However, in the mid-1990s, it sold off its branches as car manufacturers began installing entertainment and comfort features as standard.
Lee said: “All modern cars started coming with everything we were doing, radios, electric windows, locking systems, so we had to pivot.
“We moved into the bus and coach sector, and after Covid, expanded again into the truck market.”
That decision has proven a smart move, with the company recently recording its best year to date.
“Business in our industry has come back with a vengeance,” Lee added.
Business moves with the times
Today, the firm operates from a single Bradford site on Lister Street in Dudley Hill, where a 12-strong team fits, supplies, and installs technology to vehicles either in-house or at customers’ premises.
From its early days fitting car radios, the business now works with a wide range of cutting-edge technology, including in-vehicle entertainment systems, onboard WiFi, and CCTV cameras.
Lee said: “We’re now focusing on installing WiFi systems into touring coaches and advanced camera technology. Cameras are a huge part of our business now.
“If we’d stayed as a car radio company, we’d have gone under years ago.
“We’ve had to adapt, diversify, and stay ahead of the curve. That’s the key, always looking at what’s next and how technology is evolving.”
