E. B. Thompson

In 1940 he joined the exodus to Malmesbury and over time took over responsibility for the management and smooth running of the Ministry of Supply contracts, where there were many occasions when he would go and collect parts from suppliers such was the urgency to keep radar production flowing, eventually he became Mick Lipman's second in command.
Returning to Southend in 1945 he was part of the post war team getting domestic manufacturing started again and using his 'sales' expertise, he undertook various overseas trips setting up and selling EKCO products.
In the early 1950's he became Sales Manager for EKCO Electronics and amonst other products, he worked hard to get 'Weather Radar' adopted by airlines as well as military customers.

He was also a well-respected member of the Engineering and Scientific community and in the early 1960's became the Chairman of the Nucleonics Group of the Scientific Manufacturers Association.

The photos below are (left): A copy of an internal Memo concerning appointment of EBT as Export Sales Manager (lighting and Heating), and (right) a letter signed by Eric Cole congratulating EBT on his promotion to Export Sales Manager. Note the sales target and percentage increase of previous years sales figures.

EBT record of his business trips abroad for EKCO between 1947 and 1969. Of interest to note is the trip to France in May 1961, where for some reason he has highlighted the use of the company Anson although this aircraft was regularly used for trips to the near continent.

While not related to EKCO Electronics, this report nevertheless provides a valuable insight into the work being done by EBT bearing in mind the target set for him in the letter from Eric Cole.