Collection GB 0074 ACC/2706 - BUSINESS EQUIPMENT TRADE ASSOCIATION (BETA)

3.65 linear metres

GB 0074 ACC/2706 1946-1980 Collection 3.65 linear metres BETA , Business Equipment Trade Association
OABETA , Office Appliance and Business Equipment Trades Association

BETA was founded in May 1920 as the Office Appliance Trades Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (OATA), and was registered under the Companies Acts in May 1927. In July 1951 OATA merged with the Association of British Business Equipment Manufacturers (ABBEM), to form the Office Appliance and Business Equipment Trades Association (OABETA). The company name was changed to BETA in October 1961, and continued as such until 1986 when it became the Business Equipment and Information Technology Association (BEITA). The association went into liquidation in August 1989, and was taken over by the Electronic Engineering Association (EEA) at Leicester House, 8 Leicester Street, London WC2H 7BN, with whom BETA had enjoyed a close relationship for some years.

Aims and structure of the association: BETA was formed "... to promote, encourage, develop and enhance the interests of the business equipment industry ...." (BETA Forward Plan, Aug 1969). Manufacturers and suppliers of, and traders in business equipment (office machines, computers, office furniture for example) became members of BETA for an annual subscription, and could submit products to the association for registration and inclusion in the Business Efficiency Exhibitions, held annually at Olympia and in the regions. As well as public relations exercises such as the above, BETA's role included the dissemination of information amongst its members, arbitration in disputes over trading ethics, and representing the interests of the industry by lobbying parliament on relevant issues, amongst other activities.

The association was governed by an elected council of 14 members, which met monthly, and administered by a staff of 17. Its membership (over 150 companies in 1977) was divided into sections, reflecting the interests of individual companies, including data-processing, microfilm and office furniture divisions for example.

Gifted to the Archive in June 1989.

Records of the Business Equipment Trade Association (BETA) and related organisations. The collection includes a complete run of 27 volumes of council minutes, from July 1951 to December 1980. The minutes reflect the association's preoccupation with its role as a public relations body, and with issues affecting its membership, such as VAT or decimalisation. Issues discussed reflect the changing commercial climate, illustrating the increased use of microelectronic technology, although individual products are seldom mentioned unless they are the subject of a dispute. Considerable time is also given over to general internal and administrative matters, and to the continued examination of BETA's aims and activities. Two divisional minute books provide a taste of the activities of the association's sections. Council working papers and correspondence include duplicate minutes of council meetings, reports to council on executive committee meetings, press cuttings, and correspondence relating to association luncheons. A sample of the association's journal is also included.

Office Appliance and Business Equipment Trades Association (OABETA):
Office and works metal equipment section ACC/2706/01;
OABETA council ACC/2706/02-10.

Business Equipment Trade Association (BETA):
BETA council ACC/2706/11-28;
BETA furniture and equipment division ACC/2706/29;
BETA council working papers and correspondence ACC/2706/30-34;
BETA journal ACC/2706/35.

These records are open to public inspection, although records containing personal information may be subject to closure periods.

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

English

Fit

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

June to August 2010. Information technology Office services Decorative arts Furniture Communication process Public relations Mass communication Groups Campaign groups Organizations Associations Trade associations Computers OABETA , Office Appliance and Business Equipment Trades Association BETA , Business Equipment Trade Association London England UK Western Europe Europe

Gifted to the Archive in June 1989.

Records of the Business Equipment Trade Association (BETA) and related organisations. The collection includes a complete run of 27 volumes of council minutes, from July 1951 to December 1980. The minutes reflect the association's preoccupation with its role as a public relations body, and with issues affecting its membership, such as VAT or decimalisation. Issues discussed reflect the changing commercial climate, illustrating the increased use of microelectronic technology, although individual products are seldom mentioned unless they are the subject of a dispute. Considerable time is also given over to general internal and administrative matters, and to the continued examination of BETA's aims and activities. Two divisional minute books provide a taste of the activities of the association's sections. Council working papers and correspondence include duplicate minutes of council meetings, reports to council on executive committee meetings, press cuttings, and correspondence relating to association luncheons. A sample of the association's journal is also included.

Office Appliance and Business Equipment Trades Association (OABETA):
Office and works metal equipment section ACC/2706/01;
OABETA council ACC/2706/02-10.

Business Equipment Trade Association (BETA):
BETA council ACC/2706/11-28;
BETA furniture and equipment division ACC/2706/29;
BETA council working papers and correspondence ACC/2706/30-34;
BETA journal ACC/2706/35.

These records are open to public inspection, although records containing personal information may be subject to closure periods.

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

• anglais

• latin

English

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• anglais