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Added journal. Removed parameters. Some additions/deletions were parameter name changes. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Dominic3203 | Category:Defunct computer systems companies | #UCB_Category 232/311
 
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{{Short description|Tech company}}
{{Distinguish|Leading Edge Products}}
{{Distinguish|Leading Edge Products}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name=Leading Technology, Inc.
| name=Leading Technology, Inc.
| logo=File:Leading Technology logo.png
| logo=Leading Technology logo.svg
| type=Private
| type=Private
| products={{Ubl|Computer systems|Computer peripherals|Monitors}}
| products={{Ubl|Computer systems|Computer peripherals|Monitors}}
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==History==
==History==
Leading Technology, Inc., was founded by Pat Terrell and Rick Terrell.<ref name=leads>{{cite journal | last= | first= | date=September 3, 1987 | url=https://oregonlive.newsbank.com/doc/news/0EB084A2ADB15AB7?search_terms=%22leading%2Btechnology%2Binc%22&text=%22leading%20technology%20inc%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=ORGB&pdate=1987-09-03 | title=Runaway Success Leads Firm to New Site | work=The Oregonian | page=D9 | via=NewsBank}}</ref> Pat had previously founded and ran [[Byte Shop|Byte Shop Northwest]]—the [[Pacific Northwest]] operations of the Byte Shop computer retailer licensed from [[Paul Terrell]]—from 1976 until 1985, when it was acquired by PacTel Systems, a subsidiary of [[Pacific Telesis]] based in [[San Francisco]], California. After being let go from Byte Shop Northwest in June 1986, Pat Terrell discussed founding Leading Technology upon learning that a former employee of his had founded a consumer electronics exporting company in Hong Kong, in which he promptly purchased a significant stake. His numerous business contacts earned while running Byte Shop Northwest combined with his newfound contacts in Hong Kong gave Terrell the idea to found an importer of computer products. In late 1985, he co-founded Leading Technology with his brother Rick, who had previously founded Microware Distributors, a fast-growing company distributor based in [[Beaverton, Oregon]] (not to be confused with the software company [[Microware]]).<ref name=Manning1987>{{cite journal | last=Manning | first=Jeff | date=April 6, 1987 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A5033027/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Import whiz either starry-eyed or shrewd | work=Business Journal-Portland | volume=4 | page=1 | via=Gale}}</ref>
Leading Technology, Inc., was founded by Pat Terrell and Rick Terrell.<ref name=leads>{{cite journal | last= | first= | date=September 3, 1987 | url=https://oregonlive.newsbank.com/doc/news/0EB084A2ADB15AB7?search_terms=%22leading%2Btechnology%2Binc%22&text=%22leading%20technology%20inc%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=ORGB&pdate=1987-09-03 | title=Runaway Success Leads Firm to New Site | journal=The Oregonian | page=D9 | via=NewsBank}}</ref> Pat had previously founded and ran [[Byte Shop|Byte Shop Northwest]]—the [[Pacific Northwest]] operations of the Byte Shop computer retailer licensed from [[Paul Terrell]]—from 1976 until 1985, when it was acquired by PacTel Systems, a subsidiary of [[Pacific Telesis]] based in [[San Francisco]], California. After being let go from Byte Shop Northwest in June 1986, Pat Terrell discussed founding Leading Technology upon learning that a former employee of his had founded a consumer electronics exporting company in Hong Kong, in which he promptly purchased a significant stake. His numerous business contacts earned while running Byte Shop Northwest combined with his newfound contacts in Hong Kong gave Terrell the idea to found an importer of computer products. In late 1985, he co-founded Leading Technology with his brother Rick, who had previously founded Microware Distributors, a fast-growing company distributor based in [[Beaverton, Oregon]] (not to be confused with the software company [[Microware]]).<ref name=Manning1987>{{cite journal | last=Manning | first=Jeff | date=April 6, 1987 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A5033027/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Import whiz either starry-eyed or shrewd | journal=Business Journal-Portland | volume=4 | page=1 | via=Gale}}</ref>


Leading Technology's first attempts at selling desktop computers in 1985 proved unsuccessful due to the volatile pricing inherent to the [[IBM PC compatible|IBM PC–compatible]] desktop market in the mid-1980s, so the company ditched these in favor of high-volume importing and selling of computer peripherals—mostly monitors—manufactured by companies in Korea such as [[Samsung Electronics|Samsung]], [[Hyundai Electronics|Hyundai]], and [[GoldStar]]. By April 1987, the company offered twenty distinct products and was soon to offer keyboards and [[modem]]s as well.<ref name=Manning1987 /> By September 1987, the company generated $1&nbsp;million in sales per month.<ref name=leads /> Leading Technology moved from an "unimposing" office in a Beaverton business park to cohabit a 77,000-square-foot building downtown with Rick Terrell's erstwhile active Microware in late September 1987.<ref name=leads /><ref name=business>{{cite journal | last= | first= | date=May 31, 1987 | url=https://oregonlive.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40NGPA-ORO-132A8D3E5828B4CD%402446947-1328D7CA353E3968%4055-1328D7CA353E3968%40?search_terms=%22leading%2Btechnology%2Binc%22&text=%22leading%20technology%20inc%22&pub%255B0%255D=11A73E5827618330&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&sort=old&pdate=1987-05-31 | title=Business news | work=The Oregonian | page=24 | via=NewsBank}}</ref> About 15,000 square feet of the new building was dedicated to office space for Leading Technology, while another 35,000 was dedicated to warehousing and assembly of the company's products.<ref name=leads /><ref name=boost>{{cite journal | last=Manning | first=Jeff | date=July 16, 1990 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A8875412/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Company hopes to boost sales | work=Business Journal-Portland | volume=7 | issue=20 | page=11 | via=Gale}}</ref>
Leading Technology's first attempts at selling desktop computers in 1985 proved unsuccessful due to the volatile pricing inherent to the [[IBM PC compatible|IBM PC–compatible]] desktop market in the mid-1980s, so the company ditched these in favor of high-volume importing and selling of computer peripherals—mostly monitors—manufactured by companies in Korea such as [[Samsung Electronics|Samsung]], [[Hyundai Electronics|Hyundai]], and [[GoldStar]]. By April 1987, the company offered twenty distinct products and was soon to offer keyboards and [[modem]]s as well.<ref name=Manning1987 /> By September 1987, the company generated $1&nbsp;million in sales per month.<ref name=leads /> Leading Technology moved from an "unimposing" office in a Beaverton business park to cohabit a 77,000-square-foot building downtown with Rick Terrell's erstwhile active Microware in late September 1987.<ref name=leads /><ref name=business>{{cite journal | last= | first= | date=May 31, 1987 | url=https://oregonlive.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40NGPA-ORO-132A8D3E5828B4CD%402446947-1328D7CA353E3968%4055-1328D7CA353E3968%40?search_terms=%22leading%2Btechnology%2Binc%22&text=%22leading%20technology%20inc%22&pub%255B0%255D=11A73E5827618330&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&sort=old&pdate=1987-05-31 | title=Business news | journal=The Oregonian | page=24 | via=NewsBank}}</ref> About 15,000 square feet of the new building was dedicated to office space for Leading Technology, while another 35,000 was dedicated to warehousing and assembly of the company's products.<ref name=leads /><ref name=boost>{{cite journal | last=Manning | first=Jeff | date=July 16, 1990 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A8875412/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Company hopes to boost sales | journal=Business Journal-Portland | volume=7 | issue=20 | page=11 | via=Gale}}</ref>


By mid-1990, the company, which now employed 85 people from Beaverton, began selling PC-compatible computer systems again, albeit monitors remained their top-selling product<ref name=Duin />—the company moving roughly 40,000 monitor units a month that year, compared to between 10,000 and 15,000 computer systems over the same duration.<ref name=boost /> Revenues grew from $60&nbsp;million in revenue in 1989 to $200&nbsp;million in 1990.<ref name=Duin>{{cite journal | last=Duin | first=Geoffrey | date=March 1991 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A10519743/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Low price strategy fuels expansion | work=Oregon Business | publisher= | volume=14 | issue=3 | page=14 | via=Gale}}</ref> After receiving a capital infusion worth between $9.5&nbsp;million to $12.5&nbsp;million in fall 1990, the company sold a 50-percent equity interest in the company to the Hong Kong–based [[VTech]], who had manufactured some of the company's products.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Manning | first=Jeff | date=November 26, 1990 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A9220046/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Leading Technology Inc. raises $10 million in equity interest sale | work=Business Journal-Portland | publisher= | volume=7 | issue=39 | page=4 | via=Gale}}</ref>
By mid-1990, the company, which now employed 85 people from Beaverton, began selling [[PC-compatible]] computer systems again, albeit monitors remained their top-selling product<ref name=Duin />—the company moving roughly 40,000 monitor units a month that year, compared to between 10,000 and 15,000 computer systems over the same duration.<ref name=boost /> Revenues grew from $60&nbsp;million in revenue in 1989 to $200&nbsp;million in 1990.<ref name=Duin>{{cite journal | last=Duin | first=Geoffrey | date=March 1991 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A10519743/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Low price strategy fuels expansion | journal=Oregon Business | volume=14 | issue=3 | page=14 | via=Gale}}</ref> After receiving a [[Capital (economics)|capital]] infusion worth between $9.5&nbsp;million to $12.5&nbsp;million in fall 1990, the company sold a 50-percent equity interest in the company to the Hong Kong–based [[VTech]], who had manufactured some of the company's products.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Manning | first=Jeff | date=November 26, 1990 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A9220046/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Leading Technology Inc. raises $10 million in equity interest sale | journal=Business Journal-Portland | volume=7 | issue=39 | page=4 | via=Gale}}</ref>


In November 1990, the company released HyperDOS, a graphical user interface and file manager for [[DOS]] that was aimed at first-time users of personal computers. HyperDOS was mouse and keyboard driven and presented the user a number of index-card-shaped buttons through which to perform various commands and view help files that taught the user aspects of personal computing, such as methods of installing software and maintenance the contents of their disks. HyperDOS was included with all of Leading Technology's computer systems but was also released as a standalone retail package that year.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=December 3, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=olAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT23 | title=Leading Technology Announces DOS-Like Shell | work=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=12 | issue=49 | page=23 | via=Google Books}}</ref> Version 2.0 of HyperDOS, released in April 1991, added sound playback, with prerecorded narration supplementing the on-screen text.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Scannell | first=Ed | date=April 22, 1991 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zFAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17 | title=HyperDOS Guides DOS Users with Sound Capability | work=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=13 | issue=16 | page=17 | via=Google Books}}</ref>
In November 1990, the company released HyperDOS, a [[graphical user interface ]]and [[file manager]] for [[DOS]] that was aimed at first-time users of personal computers. HyperDOS was mouse and keyboard driven and presented the user a number of [[index card]]-shaped buttons through which to perform various commands and view [[help file]]s that taught the user aspects of personal computing, such as methods of installing software and maintenance the contents of their disks. HyperDOS was included with all of Leading Technology's computer systems but was also released as a standalone retail package that year.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=December 3, 1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=olAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT23 | title=Leading Technology Announces DOS-Like Shell | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=12 | issue=49 | page=23 | via=Google Books}}</ref> Version 2.0 of HyperDOS, released in April 1991, added sound playback, with prerecorded narration supplementing the on-screen text.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Scannell | first=Ed | date=April 22, 1991 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zFAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17 | title=HyperDOS Guides DOS Users with Sound Capability | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=13 | issue=16 | page=17 | via=Google Books}}</ref>
{{pic|PC Partner logo.svg|Logo of PC Partner, Leading Technology's line of budget PCs}}
⚫
Leading Edge subsequently re-launched their computer systems in earnest by establishing the PC Partner brand of low-cost desktops and laptops in 1991, their push into the consumer retail space.<ref>{{cite journal | last= | first= | date=August 19, 1991 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l1AEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26 | title=Leading Technology ships low-cost PCs | work=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=13 | issue=33 | page=26 | via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name=shake>{{cite journal | last=Veilleux | first=C. Thomas | date=April 20, 1992 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A12153987/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=While Comdex roars, industry shakes out | work=HFD | publisher= BridgeTower Media Holding Company | volume=66 | issue=16 | page=110 | via=Gale}}</ref> The PC Partners received decent reviews in the computer press and allowed the company to grow to a peak employment of 350 people in 1992.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Betts | first=Kellyn | date=August 1991 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JkmqysqcLI0C&pg=PT195 | title=Leading Technology PC Partner XL | work=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=10 | issue=14 | pages=184–188 | via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last=Berline | first=Gary | date=December 31, 1991 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fb-NRK57wIAC&pg=PT223 | title=Leading Technology Inc. PC Partner VX | work=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=10 | issue=22 | pages=223–224 | via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last=Cura | first=Jeff Van | author2=Andreas Uiterwijk | author3=Siobhan Nash | date=April 6, 1992 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6z0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA124 | title=Faster microprocessors are not necessarily better | work=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=14 | issue=14 | pages=124–125 | via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Spilker | first=John | author2=Karen Strudwick | date=1992 | url=https://archive.org/details/northwesthightec0000unse/page/294/ | title=Northwest High Tech, 1992: A Guide to North America's Fastest Growing Computer Region | publisher=Resolution Business Press | page=294 | isbn=9780945264132 | via=Google Books}}</ref> PC Partners were primarily sold at [[warehouse club]] chains like [[Costco]], [[Best Products]], and [[Price Club]], as well as electronics superstores.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Staff writers | date=December 26, 1991 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-firm-enjoyed/124296233/ | title=Firm enjoyed from using QAPlus | work=The San Francisco Examiner | page=B1 | via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>


⚫
Leading Edge subsequently re-launched their computer systems in earnest by establishing the PC Partner brand of low-cost desktops and laptops in 1991, their push into the consumer retail space.<ref>{{cite journal | last= | first= | date=August 19, 1991 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l1AEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26 | title=Leading Technology ships low-cost PCs | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=13 | issue=33 | page=26 | via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name=shake>{{cite journal | last=Veilleux | first=C. Thomas | date=April 20, 1992 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A12153987/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=While Comdex roars, industry shakes out | journal=HFD | publisher= BridgeTower Media Holding Company | volume=66 | issue=16 | page=110 | via=Gale}}</ref> In designing the flagship PC Partner, the company stressed aesthetics, coloring the computers in cool gray with purple and teal accents. William O'Neill, Leading Technology's vice president of sales, perceived the traditional [[beige box]] appearance of PCs as increasingly antiquated when compared to consumer appliances of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Said O'Neil: "We saw that we were competing with appliances that had a higher-tech look than most PCs! We figured we weren't just up against other PCs, then, but also stereo equipment, TVs and microwave ovens".<ref name=hfn /> As well as the paint job, the main case features rounded off edges with matching feet, emulating the look of contemporary [[home audio]] gear.<ref name=hfn>{{cite journal | last=Veilleux | first=C. Thomas | date=November 25, 1991 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A11571429/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Leading Technology's PC Partner brings new look to home computers | journal=HFD | publisher=BridgeTower Media | volume=65 | issue=48 | page=112 | via=Gale}}</ref> The PC Partners received decent reviews in the computer press and allowed the company to grow to a peak employment of 350 people in 1992.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Betts | first=Kellyn | date=August 1991 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JkmqysqcLI0C&pg=PT195 | title=Leading Technology PC Partner XL | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=10 | issue=14 | pages=184–188 | via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last=Berline | first=Gary | date=December 31, 1991 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fb-NRK57wIAC&pg=PT223 | title=Leading Technology Inc. PC Partner VX | journal=PC Magazine | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=10 | issue=22 | pages=223–224 | via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last=Cura | first=Jeff Van | author2=Andreas Uiterwijk | author3=Siobhan Nash | date=April 6, 1992 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6z0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA124 | title=Faster microprocessors are not necessarily better | journal=InfoWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=14 | issue=14 | pages=124–125 | via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Spilker | first=John | author2=Karen Strudwick | date=1992 | url=https://archive.org/details/northwesthightec0000unse/page/294/ | title=Northwest High Tech, 1992: A Guide to North America's Fastest Growing Computer Region | publisher=Resolution Business Press | page=294 | isbn=9780945264132 | via=Google Books}}</ref> PC Partners were primarily sold at [[warehouse club]] chains like [[Costco]], [[Best Products]], and [[Price Club]], as well as electronics superstores.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Staff writers | date=December 26, 1991 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-firm-enjoyed/124296233/ | title=Firm enjoyed from using QAPlus | journal=The San Francisco Examiner | page=B1 | via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
⚫
In 1992, the company was acquired in full by VTech, who laid off 50 workers at Leading Technology and rebranded the company's offerings under VTech's own [[Laser 128|Laser]] brand.<ref name=shake /> Remaining employees of Leading Technology were shortly after absorbed into VTech Computers International Limited, the subsidiary in charge of production of VTech's personal computers formed active from 1988 to 1997.<ref name=ar11 /><ref name=mergent /> The PC Partner brand name meanwhile appeared on some models of VTech's PC offerings in the mid-1990s.<ref>{{cite book | last=Yu | first=Tony Fu-Lai | date=1997 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Entrepreneurship_and_Economic_Developmen/nn2FAgAAQBAJ | title=Entrepreneurship and Economic Development in Hong Kong | publisher=Taylor & Francis | page=191 | isbn=9781134716494 | via=Google Books}}</ref> In 1997, VTech agreed to spin off VTech Computers International into an entirely separate company and exit the personal computer market. The resulting company was named PC Partner Limited (later PC Partner Global Limited), resurrecting the name of Leading Edge's budget PC line.<ref name=ar11>{{cite book | date=December 28, 2011 | url=https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2011/1228/01263_1232128/ewp115.pdf | title=PC Partner Group Limited Annual Report 2011 | publisher=PC Partner Group Limited | page=97–112 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511024824/https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2011/1228/01263_1232128/ewp115.pdf | archivedate=May 11, 2023}}</ref><ref name=mergent>{{cite book | date=2009 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mergent_International_Manual/Z-IdAQAAMAAJ | title=Mergent International Manual | publisher=Mergent, Inc. | page=1162 | via=Google Books}}</ref>

⚫
In 1992, the company was acquired in full by VTech, who laid off 50 workers at Leading Technology and rebranded the company's offerings under VTech's own [[Laser 128|Laser]] brand.<ref name=shake /> Remaining employees of Leading Technology were shortly after absorbed into VTech Computers International Limited, the subsidiary in charge of production of VTech's personal computers active from 1988 to 1997.<ref name=ar11 /><ref name=mergent /> The PC Partner brand name meanwhile appeared on some models of VTech's PC offerings in the mid-1990s.<ref>{{cite book | last=Yu | first=Tony Fu-Lai | date=1997 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nn2FAgAAQBAJ | title=Entrepreneurship and Economic Development in Hong Kong | publisher=Taylor & Francis | page=191 | isbn=9781134716494 | via=Google Books}}</ref> In 1997, VTech agreed to spin off VTech Computers International into an entirely separate company and exit the personal computer market. The resulting company was named PC Partner Limited (later PC Partner Global Limited), resurrecting the name of Leading Edge's budget PC line.<ref name=ar11>{{cite book | date=December 28, 2011 | url=https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2011/1228/01263_1232128/ewp115.pdf | title=PC Partner Group Limited Annual Report 2011 | publisher=PC Partner Group Limited | pages=97–112 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511024824/https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2011/1228/01263_1232128/ewp115.pdf | archivedate=May 11, 2023}}</ref><ref name=mergent>{{cite book | date=2009 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z-IdAQAAMAAJ | title=Mergent International Manual | publisher=Mergent, Inc. | page=1162 | via=Google Books}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 41: Line 42:
[[Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct computer hardware companies]]
[[Category:Defunct computer hardware companies]]
[[Category:Defunct computer systems companies]]
[[Category:VTech]]
[[Category:VTech]]

Latest revision as of 04:40, 16 October 2024

Not to be confused with Leading Edge Products.
Leading Technology, Inc.
Company typePrivate
Founded1985 (1985) in Beaverton, Oregon
Founders
  • Pat Terrell
  • Rick Terrell
Defunct1992 (1992)
FateAcquired by VTech
Products
  • Computer systems
  • Computer peripherals
  • Monitors
Number of employees
350 (1992, peak)

Leading Technology, Inc., was an American computer company based in Beaverton, Oregon, and active from 1985 to 1992. It sold IBM PC–compatible computer systems, monitors, and other peripherals supplied by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan. In 1992, the company was purchased by VTech of Hong Kong.

History

[edit]

Leading Technology, Inc., was founded by Pat Terrell and Rick Terrell.[1] Pat had previously founded and ran Byte Shop Northwest—the Pacific Northwest operations of the Byte Shop computer retailer licensed from Paul Terrell—from 1976 until 1985, when it was acquired by PacTel Systems, a subsidiary of Pacific Telesis based in San Francisco, California. After being let go from Byte Shop Northwest in June 1986, Pat Terrell discussed founding Leading Technology upon learning that a former employee of his had founded a consumer electronics exporting company in Hong Kong, in which he promptly purchased a significant stake. His numerous business contacts earned while running Byte Shop Northwest combined with his newfound contacts in Hong Kong gave Terrell the idea to found an importer of computer products. In late 1985, he co-founded Leading Technology with his brother Rick, who had previously founded Microware Distributors, a fast-growing company distributor based in Beaverton, Oregon (not to be confused with the software company Microware).[2]

Leading Technology's first attempts at selling desktop computers in 1985 proved unsuccessful due to the volatile pricing inherent to the IBM PC–compatible desktop market in the mid-1980s, so the company ditched these in favor of high-volume importing and selling of computer peripherals—mostly monitors—manufactured by companies in Korea such as Samsung, Hyundai, and GoldStar. By April 1987, the company offered twenty distinct products and was soon to offer keyboards and modems as well.[2] By September 1987, the company generated $1 million in sales per month.[1] Leading Technology moved from an "unimposing" office in a Beaverton business park to cohabit a 77,000-square-foot building downtown with Rick Terrell's erstwhile active Microware in late September 1987.[1][3] About 15,000 square feet of the new building was dedicated to office space for Leading Technology, while another 35,000 was dedicated to warehousing and assembly of the company's products.[1][4]

By mid-1990, the company, which now employed 85 people from Beaverton, began selling PC-compatible computer systems again, albeit monitors remained their top-selling product[5]—the company moving roughly 40,000 monitor units a month that year, compared to between 10,000 and 15,000 computer systems over the same duration.[4] Revenues grew from $60 million in revenue in 1989 to $200 million in 1990.[5] After receiving a capital infusion worth between $9.5 million to $12.5 million in fall 1990, the company sold a 50-percent equity interest in the company to the Hong Kong–based VTech, who had manufactured some of the company's products.[6]

In November 1990, the company released HyperDOS, a graphical user interface and file manager for DOS that was aimed at first-time users of personal computers. HyperDOS was mouse and keyboard driven and presented the user a number of index card-shaped buttons through which to perform various commands and view help files that taught the user aspects of personal computing, such as methods of installing software and maintenance the contents of their disks. HyperDOS was included with all of Leading Technology's computer systems but was also released as a standalone retail package that year.[7] Version 2.0 of HyperDOS, released in April 1991, added sound playback, with prerecorded narration supplementing the on-screen text.[8]

Leading Edge subsequently re-launched their computer systems in earnest by establishing the PC Partner brand of low-cost desktops and laptops in 1991, their push into the consumer retail space.[9][10] In designing the flagship PC Partner, the company stressed aesthetics, coloring the computers in cool gray with purple and teal accents. William O'Neill, Leading Technology's vice president of sales, perceived the traditional beige box appearance of PCs as increasingly antiquated when compared to consumer appliances of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Said O'Neil: "We saw that we were competing with appliances that had a higher-tech look than most PCs! We figured we weren't just up against other PCs, then, but also stereo equipment, TVs and microwave ovens".[11] As well as the paint job, the main case features rounded off edges with matching feet, emulating the look of contemporary home audio gear.[11] The PC Partners received decent reviews in the computer press and allowed the company to grow to a peak employment of 350 people in 1992.[12][13][14][15] PC Partners were primarily sold at warehouse club chains like Costco, Best Products, and Price Club, as well as electronics superstores.[16]

In 1992, the company was acquired in full by VTech, who laid off 50 workers at Leading Technology and rebranded the company's offerings under VTech's own Laser brand.[10] Remaining employees of Leading Technology were shortly after absorbed into VTech Computers International Limited, the subsidiary in charge of production of VTech's personal computers active from 1988 to 1997.[17][18] The PC Partner brand name meanwhile appeared on some models of VTech's PC offerings in the mid-1990s.[19] In 1997, VTech agreed to spin off VTech Computers International into an entirely separate company and exit the personal computer market. The resulting company was named PC Partner Limited (later PC Partner Global Limited), resurrecting the name of Leading Edge's budget PC line.[17][18]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Runaway Success Leads Firm to New Site". The Oregonian: D9. September 3, 1987 – via NewsBank.
  2. ^ a b Manning, Jeff (April 6, 1987). "Import whiz either starry-eyed or shrewd". Business Journal-Portland. 4: 1 – via Gale.
  3. ^ "Business news". The Oregonian: 24. May 31, 1987 – via NewsBank.
  4. ^ a b Manning, Jeff (July 16, 1990). "Company hopes to boost sales". Business Journal-Portland. 7 (20): 11 – via Gale.
  5. ^ a b Duin, Geoffrey (March 1991). "Low price strategy fuels expansion". Oregon Business. 14 (3): 14 – via Gale.
  6. ^ Manning, Jeff (November 26, 1990). "Leading Technology Inc. raises $10 million in equity interest sale". Business Journal-Portland. 7 (39): 4 – via Gale.
  7. ^ Staff writer (December 3, 1990). "Leading Technology Announces DOS-Like Shell". InfoWorld. 12 (49). IDG Publications: 23 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ Scannell, Ed (April 22, 1991). "HyperDOS Guides DOS Users with Sound Capability". InfoWorld. 13 (16). IDG Publications: 17 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "Leading Technology ships low-cost PCs". InfoWorld. 13 (33). IDG Publications: 26. August 19, 1991 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ a b Veilleux, C. Thomas (April 20, 1992). "While Comdex roars, industry shakes out". HFD. 66 (16). BridgeTower Media Holding Company: 110 – via Gale.
  11. ^ a b Veilleux, C. Thomas (November 25, 1991). "Leading Technology's PC Partner brings new look to home computers". HFD. 65 (48). BridgeTower Media: 112 – via Gale.
  12. ^ Betts, Kellyn (August 1991). "Leading Technology PC Partner XL". PC Magazine. 10 (14). Ziff-Davis: 184–188 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ Berline, Gary (December 31, 1991). "Leading Technology Inc. PC Partner VX". PC Magazine. 10 (22). Ziff-Davis: 223–224 – via Google Books.
  14. ^ Cura, Jeff Van; Andreas Uiterwijk; Siobhan Nash (April 6, 1992). "Faster microprocessors are not necessarily better". InfoWorld. 14 (14). IDG Publications: 124–125 – via Google Books.
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  16. ^ Staff writers (December 26, 1991). "Firm enjoyed from using QAPlus". The San Francisco Examiner: B1 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b PC Partner Group Limited Annual Report 2011 (PDF). PC Partner Group Limited. December 28, 2011. pp. 97–112. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 11, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Mergent International Manual. Mergent, Inc. 2009. p. 1162 – via Google Books.
  19. ^ Yu, Tony Fu-Lai (1997). Entrepreneurship and Economic Development in Hong Kong. Taylor & Francis. p. 191. ISBN 9781134716494 – via Google Books.
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