Kenwood Corporation

Kenwood Corporation

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Consumer electronics
Predecessor	Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd.
Founded	December 21, 1946 (1946-12-21) in Komagane, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Founder	William "Bill" Kasuga (implied)
Defunct	2011
Fate	Merged with JVC to create JVCKenwood
Successor	JVCKenwood
Headquarters	Tokyo , Japan
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	George Aratani (first chairman of Kenwood USA), William "Bill" Kasuga
Products	AM/FM stereo receivers, cassette tape decks/recorders, amateur radio equipment, radios, televisions, cellular phones, speakers, two-way radios, hi-fi systems
Owner	JVCKenwood (since 2008)
Parent	JVCKenwood

is a Japanese brand specializing in consumer electronics, currently owned by JVCKenwood since 2008. Kenwood produces a variety of electronic devices such as AM/FM stereo receivers, cassette tape decks/recorders, amateur radio equipment, radios, televisions, cellular phones, and speakers.

History

The company originated on 21 December 1946 under the name Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd. located in Komagane, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It was renamed Trio Corporation in 1960 and established its initial international branch in 1963 in Los Angeles County, California, United States.

During the early 1960s, the Lafayette Radio Company rebranded and marketed Trio’s products, concentrating on CB radio devices. A&A Trading Co., which imported Japanese electronics for RadioShack, collaborated with William "Bill" Kasuga, George Aratani, and Yoichi Nakase to become Trio’s exclusive importer.

The "Kenwood" label was developed by Kasuga by merging "Ken," a name resonant with both Japanese and American audiences, and "Wood," symbolizing natural material and Hollywood’s influence. As the Kenwood brand surpassed the Trio identity, Trio acquired Kenwood in 1986 and adopted the Kenwood Corporation name. George Aratani was the inaugural chairman of Kenwood USA before Kasuga assumed the role. In October 2008, Kenwood merged with JVC, creating the holding entity JVCKenwood.

In 2001, Kenwood introduced its Sovereign line of components but ceased manufacturing consumer audio receivers, home theatre systems, and other home electronics by 2007.

Speakers

Kenwood manufactures an array of audio speakers ranging from professional stage sound systems to high-fidelity models. The company was a pioneer in developing the first car stereo speaker featuring a honeycombed linear plane diaphragm.

Amateur radio transceivers

Kenwood’s amateur radio offerings include HF, VHF/UHF, and portable transceivers equipped with integrated digital data modes such as Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS), which utilizes AX.25 packet radio protocols and built-in modems.

KA Series hi-fi systems

Launched in 1977, the KA Series consisted of integrated stereo power amplifiers with genuine dual-mono circuitry for stereo output. These units featured brushed aluminum front panels, aluminum control knobs, glass covers, and occasionally analog VU meters. Notable models encompassed KA-1000, KA-2002, KA-2200, KA-3100, KA-6100, KA-7002, KA-7100, KA-7300, KA-8100/8150, KA-8300, KA-9100/9150, and KA-907/9900.

NV-Series Compact HiFi Systems

Debuting in 2000, the NV-301 and NV-701 series provided compact HiFi solutions:

Model	Speaker System	Inputs	Additional Features
NV-301	2 speakers	Line-in (MiniDisc/DVD)	Entry-level model
NV-701	5.1 Dolby Surround	A/V inputs	Enhanced surround sound capabilities

Communications equipment

Kenwood designs two-way radios compatible with DECT intercoms and supports digital standards including PMR446, DPMR446, DPMR, Project 25 suite, DMR, and NXDN. Their product range includes handheld and mobile terminals—some certified to ATEX and IECEx standards—as well as repeaters, infrastructure components, and application software solutions.

Company timeline

• 1949: Japan's first high-frequency transformer gains NHK certification.
• 1955: Company established in Tokyo; begins large-scale manufacturing of audio, communication, and measurement devices.
• 1958: Debuts its inaugural amateur radio product.
• 1960: Changes name to Trio Electronics, Inc.
• 1962: Launches the industry's pioneering transistor amplifier.
• 1963: Starts U.S. operations and broadens international presence.
• 1966: Introduces the first fully transistorized audio equipment in the sector.
• 1969: Trio Electronics (renamed Kenwood in 1996) releases the TR-7100, a 144 MHz amateur radio car transceiver.
• 1978: Debuts initial professional analogue two-way radios.
• 1979: Establishes its first overseas manufacturing facility in Singapore.
• 1983: Enters the U.S. land mobile radio industry.
• 1986: Officially adopts the Kenwood name.
• 1991: Penetrates the European licensed PMR market; begins offering license-free transceivers; secures supply agreement with McLaren F1 team.
• 1995: Kenwood equipment operates aboard the Mir space station; launches TK-250, the first PMR range specifically designed for Europe’s PMR446 standard.
• 1996: Subsidiary Trio-Kenwood renamed Kenwood in celebration of company’s 50th anniversary.
• 1997: Becomes Japan’s inaugural manufacturer to introduce car-mounted DAB receivers.
• 1999: Co-develops the world’s first mobile digital broadcast reception system; introduces Pro-Talk PMR446 license-free two-way radios.
• 2001: Releases initial digital transceiver compliant with P25 standards.
• 2002: Develops a network interface module (NIM) for digital broadcasts via communications satellites (CS).
• 2005: Forms a technical and capital partnership with Icom to standardize NXDN digital wireless radio technology; Kenwood Nagano Corp. attains ISO/TS 16949 certification for automotive quality.
• 2007: Announces TM-V71 FM dual-band transceiver; completes acquisition of U.S.-based Zetron, Inc.; invests ¥20 billion and establishes strategic alliance with Victor Company of Japan, Limited.
• 2008: Creates JVC Kenwood Holdings Inc.
• 2010: Launches first analogue two-way radio certified by ATEX standards.
• 2011: Introduces NEXEDGE OTAP (Over The Air Programming); JVC KENWOOD Holdings renamed JVCKENWOOD Corporation, consolidating Victor Company of Japan, Kenwood Corporation, and J&K Car Electronics Corporation under one entity.
• 2013: Releases TS-990S amateur radio base station; globally launches NEXEDGE ETSI-certified DPMR digital two-way radios.
• 2014: Acquires E.F. Johnson Technologies Inc.
• 2015: Introduces NX-5000 Series multi-protocol hand-portable and mobile radios supporting NXDN, DMR, and P25 standards.
• 2016: Debuts TH-D74E, a VHF/UHF dual-band handheld amateur radio featuring integrated GPS; launches ProTalk WD-K10 Series DECT intercom systems.
• 2017: Unveils mid-range NX-3000 Series multi-protocol hand-portable and mobile radios compatible with NXDN and DMR; acquires Radio Activity S.r.l., developer of DMR-compliant digital multi-frequency systems.
• 2018: Launches high-performance dual-PTT ProTalk TK-3601D DPMR446 hand-portable radio; acquires minority stake in and forms capital/business alliance with Tait International Ltd, experts in critical LMR and LTE communications; secures three-year MotoGP™ radio communications sponsorship contract with Dorna Sports.
• 2019: Deploys world’s first scalable single-site, 64-channel NXDN trunked system at Istanbul Airport, expected to become largest by completion in 2025; introduces rugged dual-PTT ProTalk TK-3701D DPMR446 hand-portable radio and entry-level FM analogue plus digital DMR/NXDN-compatible NX-1000 Series radios.
• 2022: JVCKENWOOD shifts from First Section to Prime Market on the Tokyo Stock Exchange following classification changes.
• 2023: Launches TH-D75, a dual-band (144/430 MHz) digital handheld transceiver equipped with D-STAR capability, Bluetooth, GPS, and USB-C connectivity.
• 2024: Introduces NX-3320, a multi-protocol digital portable radio supporting NXDN, DMR, and P25 standards featuring a full keypad, GPS functionality, and IP67-rated rugged construction.

External links

• Chronological List of Kenwood Transceivers