Harvard International

Harvard International plc (previously known as Harris Overseas Ltd and than Alba Group of Companies) is a British consumer electronics company, which owns the Goodmans and iLuv brands.

It was originally called the Alba Group of Companies, and made only low-cost consumer products under its own brand name but has both founded and acquired other companies either wholly, in part or UK manufacturing rights, building it into a large company.

Harvard International also owns the Bush brand, in Oceania only.

Former-owned brands

Harvard International also used to own Grundig, Alba, Pulse Home Products, Breville and Hinari, which are now owned by other companies.

Brand name sale to Home Retail Group

Having taken over many other electronics and electrical companies, the Alba and Bush brand names were purchased on 27 November 2008 by Milton Keynes-based Home Retail Group, the owner of Argos, in a £15.25 million deal. Argos sold many of Alba's products and will now exclusively sell this range of products. Having completed the deal, Alba plc has reverted to its former name Harvard International plc.

Financial performance

In the year ending 31 March 2005, Harvard made a profit before tax of £20.8 million on turnover of £664.6 million. It has a network of offices and warehouses throughout the UK, including Elstree, Rugby and Sheffield. Its distribution centre is in Cortonwood, near Rotherham.

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