Our History

We’ve been using engineering and electronics expertise to solve problems since 1959. Since then we’ve made a name for ourselves in quality and innovation through a number of world-firsts and milestones.

Scroll down to experience our journey.

1959

  • University friends Alastair Wood, Ian Wall and Jim Bettison establish EILCO – the Electronics, Instrument and Lighting Company Limited, in Adelaide, South Australia to tackle a range of challenges in electronics engineering.

1961

EILCO releases its first High Frequency Radio – Type 6104 HF Transceiver – for the School-of-the-Air network operating in the Australian outback.

1970s

  • Codan acquires an interest in IMP Engineering, an Australian manufacturer of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).
  • Codan wins its first Australian Export Award for Outstanding Export Achievement.
  • Codan relocates its Adelaide premises from Norwood to Newton, South Australia to expand production capacity and focus on export growth.
  • Codan commences exports of its HF radio equipment to Papua New Guinea and the US.
  • EILCO forms a joint venture with Associated Electronics Services to develop HF radio. They call the joint venture Codan.
  • EILCO wins an Australia-wide contract to re-equip 12 Royal Flying Doctor Service base stations with HF radios.

1980s

  • Codan revolutionises radio communications by launching its automatic tuning whip antenna.
  • Codan releases the 5300 series, its first C-Band Satellite Transceivers.
  • Codan releases the 9000 series, its first Ku-Band satellite transceivers for use on Australia’s AUSSAT satellites.
  • Codan produces Satellite RF subsystems for AUSSAT to support the launch of Australia’s first domestic satellite system.
  • The United Nations (UN) makes a significant purchase of Codan HF Radio equipment for their relief efforts in Uganda, signalling the start of Codan’s operations in Africa.

1990s

  • Codan acquires MITEC – Queensland designer and manufacturer of high power satellite amplifiers and digital microwave radio technology.
  • Codan launches its New Generation Transceiver (NGT) product range with revolutionary HF Radio user interface.
  • Codan releases its 5700 series C-Band Satellite Transceiver.
  • Codan’s 5700 series C-Band satellite transceivers win awards for Excellence in Innovation, Commercialisation and Export Excellence from the Electronics Industry Association.
  • Codan launches the world’s first commercial modem for fast and fully automatic HF fax and data transmission.
  • Mike Heard joins Codan as CEO.

2000

  • Codan wins Manufacturer of the Year, Product Innovation for its 5900 series Ku-Band transceiver.

2002

  • Codan acquires Provideo Systems – South Australian designer and manufacturer of signal management products for TV broadcasting.

2003

  • Codan lists on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).

2005

  • Codan acquires Talia Sound and Vision which then merges with Provideo to become Codan Broadcast.
  • Codan opens office in India.
  • 2110 HF Manpack wins Gold Cup award for Excellence in Innovation and Commercialisation at the Electronic Industry Association Awards.
  • Codan wins the Design Wrought Product category at the International Magnesium Association’s Annual Design Awards for its 2110 HF Manpack.
  • Codan wins Innovator of the Year at the EDN Innovation Awards for its Satellite 6700 series MBUC.

2006-2007

  • Codan expands into military technology, launching a suite of products for HF Radio communications.
  • Codan manufactures its 50,000th 9350 HF Radio antenna.

2008

  • Codan acquires Minelab, developer of world leading metal detection capability.
  • Codan begins contract manufacturing through Plexus Corp (NASDAQ:PLXS) in Malaysia.

2009

  • Codan celebrates its 50th anniversary.
  • Codan establishes its Military and Security Division in the US.
  • Codan wins Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Award in the Asia Pacific Aerospace and Defence category for Tactical Military Communications Provider of the Year.

2010

  • Donald McGurk becomes CEO.
  • Codan divests Codan Broadcast.

2011

  • Codan wins Australian export award for Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

2012

  • Codan acquires Minetec, developer of innovative mining productivity and safety solutions, which was founded by Greg Anderson in 2000.
  • Codan sells its satellite communications assets to CPI international.
  • Codan launches the Envoy™ High Frequency Software Defined Radio and 2110M Manpack with 3G ALE.
  • Codan acquires Daniels Electronics, Canadian designer of land mobile radio products.

2013

  • Minelab achieves record-breaking GPX sales into Africa.
  • Minelab releases the CTX 3030 Waterproof All-Terrain Treasure Detector.

2014

  • Minelab releases SDC 2300 All-Terrain Compact Gold Detector.
  • Codan Communications opens sales office in Dubai.
  • Codan Communications releases upgraded digital voice capability for Envoy™.

2015

  • Minelab opens distribution centre in Dubai for direct distribution into the African market.
  • Minelab releases GO-FIND® Metal Detector series.
  • Minelab releases GPZ 7000® Gold Detector.
  • Codan Communications releases STRATUS® transportable P25/LTE solution.

2016

  • Minelab wins US Army contract to develop metal detector sensor technology.
  • Codan Defence Electronics established to leverage core competencies in military radio and countermine technology.

2017

  • Minelab releases the Gold Monster 1000® gold detector for artisinal mining.
  • Codan secures its first major contract to supply a Land Mobile Radio solution to RiverComm 911 in Washington State, USA.

2018

  • Codan Radio Communications delivered first substantial order for the new Sentry-H™ military radio.
  • Minelab successfully released the revolutionary EQUINOX® coin and treasure detector.
  • Minetec entered into a partnership with Caterpillar Inc.

2019

  • Codan Communications completed development of the new Sentry® Military Manpack.
  • Minelab delivered first shipment of the new MDS-10® countermine detector.

2020

  • Minelab released our new GPX6000® gold detector and MF5® Countermine detector.
  • Minelab established a new sales office in Mexico to focus on both gold mining and recreational markets.
  • Minelab launched a direct to consumer e-commerce platform in Brazil for recreation products.
  • Codan Communications delivered our largest ever order of Sentry HF radio units to an African military customer.
  • Codan Communications achieved another record year in LMR, successfully delivering multiple systems projects and validating our transition to a full solutions provider.
  • Further strengthened our Communications segment by acquiring DTC and Zetron.
  • Streamlined the business to focus on core segments with the sale of Minetec to Caterpillar for $18 million cash.
  • Worked with key suppliers to increase supply chain robustness in a very challenging COVID-19 environment, positioning us well for the future.