Adelaide University trio in 1959 opens way for Codan as global leader in electronic links
The Codan 2110 Manpack, one of the South Australian company's high-frequency radio products.
Codan is an international company that develops rugged and reliable electronics solutions for government, corporate, NGO and consumer markets across the globe.
It originated in 1959 from Adelaide University friends Alastair Wood, Ian Wall and Jim Bettison setting up EILCO (Electronics, Instrument and Lighting Company Ltd – renamed Codan in 1970) to tackle challenges in electronics engineering. With a global reputation for quality and innovation, Codan Ltd now makes and supplies communications, metal detection and mining technology, headquartered at Mawson Lakes in Adelaide.
Codan (then EILCO) released its first high-frequency radio – a Type 6104 HF transceiver in 1961 for the School of the Air operating in the Australian outback.
In 1980, Codan equipment was chosen by the United Nations to support its relief efforts in Uganda, cementing Codan as the leading global supplier of high-frequency communications to humanitarian organisations.
Codan now has a global footprint, with offices in the US, Canada, Ireland, United Arab emirates, South Africa and China. Its customers include some of the world’s largest and best aid and humanitarian organisations, mining companies, security and military groups and governments. Its products are sold in more than 150 countries, with exports making up about 85% of revenue, through a global network of dealers, distributors and agents.
Publicly floated in 2003, Codan bought Minelab Electronics in 2008, the supplier of world’s best hand-held metal detection technology. Minetec and Daniels Electronics were added to the Codan Group in 2012, cementing its world-class product offerings in radio communications, metal detection and tracking solutions.
Codan has kept repositioning itself with its military and security division set up in the USA in 2009. In 2012, Codan Limited sold its satellite communications assets to CPI International Holding Corp, and its subsidiary CPI International.
Codan Defence Electronics was established in 2016 to “leverage core competencies in military radio and countermine technology”.