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Brown Evans & Co was formed as a partnership in 1947, with three equal partners – Donald Christopher Brown, David R Evans and Ivor H Evans. The object was to introduce a range of engineered light fittings with defined lighting properties and architectural appeal, especially in the recessed downlight and modern wall bracket field, using the Brand Name “BECO”.

Remarkable success followed and the Company manufactured lighting using bullet-shaped reflector brackets on swivel arms, which included wall and ceiling mounted units, and square and recessed downlighting.
The principal business of the company, henceforth, revolved around the designing, developing and manufacturing of standard and special light fittings for the wholesale electrical trade. The company’s product being normally sold by direct selling to a wholesaler with agents in every State, but also manufacturing lighting to specification, by Architects Engineers and other Consultants.

BECO Lighting Pty Ltd was incorporated in July 1960 with an authorised capital of 50,000 Pounds, consisting of 10,000 issued shares to each of the three directors, Brown, Evans and Evans.

In 1960, in addition to the normal flow of lighting products, BECO designed and marketed, through Dunn Air-conditioning Pty Ltd a new series of air registers, door relief grills and other air-conditioning accessories. This grew beyond the manufacturing capacity of BECO Lighting Pty Ltd and in June 1963, a new company was formed, LYCON Pty Ltd for,the sole purpose of manufacturing exclusively, the basic metal ware for BECO Lighting and the full air-conditioning range for Dunn Air Conditioning Pty Ltd. This factory was based at Moorabbin, Melbourne and all BECO machinery used to accommodate this, from their No 1 Factory in Berkeley Street Carlton was moved to a Moorabbin factory. (Address unknown)

BECO Lighting’ headquarters remained in Carlton.
They maintained a 2500 sq.ft factory at 127 Berkeley street, named Factory #1, a 3000 sq. ft factory at 122-128 Berkeley street, named Factory #2, offices and showroom at 138-140 Berkley street, and a Design Section and Store, 130-136 Berkeley street.

In July 1963, partner Donald C Brown, acquired the shares of his partners D.R Evans and I.H.Evans becoming sole proprietor and director of Beco Lighting Pty Ltd.

Previous Contracted Work:

City Buildings: Consolidated Zinc – Shell – R.A.C.V – Vacuum Oil – Pearl Insurance – I.B.M – A.M.P amongst others;

Hospitals: Royal Children’s – Yooralla – Alfred – Xavier Cabrini – Epworth – Sandringham – Royal Melbourne – Mercy, amongst others;

Hotels, Restaurants, Motels: Southern Cross – Chevron Hilton – Park Royal – John Batman – amongst others;

Halls: Old Parliament House, Canberra – Camberwell Town Hall – Hawthorne Town Hall – Moorabbin Town Hall -Shepparton Town Hall – Lawley House;

Theatres: Barclay – Chelsea – Forum – Palladium Sydney – Her Majesty’s Adelaide;

Universities: National University Library, Canberra – Melbourne Uni – New England, Sydney – Howard Flories, Melbourne – Baillieu Library, Melbourne;

Department Stores: Chadstone shopping centre – George’s – Myer – Coles;

Bowling Centres: Hawthorne – Moorabbin – Essendon – Heidelburg – Footscray – Preston.

BECO Lighting Pty Ltd commenced closing down in late 1964, due to the death of sole proprietor, Designer and Director Donald C. Brown in a motor vehicle accident.

This entry is written entirely by Geoffrey Clarke. All information here is from the company archives, provided by Guy Brown, the son of Donald C Brown. Interview conducted by Geoffrey Clarke on Tuesday 14th June, 2016. at Guy Brown’s Residence, in Beaumaris, Melbourne.

Writers:

Geoffrey Clarke
Michael Bogle

Date written:

2016

Last updated:

2016