The New Zealand communications company Jackson & Wills, founded in 1947 by radio amateurs Douglas Jackson ZL4GM and Maurice Wills ZL4GY, has been sold

An electronic business formed 74 years ago, which helped Southlanders keep up with the advancement of radios, phones and televisions, has a new owner.

Jackson & Wills was opened by Douglas Jackson and Maurice Wills in Invercargill in 1947, specialising in radio and electronics.

Douglas and Maurice were brought together by a shared enthusiasm for amateur radio following WW2.

In 1956, Maurice was reportedly the first person in New Zealand to view overseas international television during the Melbourne Olympics using frequencies announced by Australian television authorities.

Two years later he was believed to have built one of the first complete television sets in New Zealand.

Jackson & Wills had most recently been run by Maurice’s son Lindsay, who had worked at the business for the past 34 years.

The biggest change in his 34 years in the business had been the transition from analogue to digital technology, which had opened up a “whole new field” for radio and telephones, Lindsay said.

The business has been sold to Ashley Communications.

Media Story - https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/126891089/pioneering-electronic-business-changes-hands-after-74-years