Ninety Years Of Excellence: AWE Marks Landmark Anniversary

Epsom, UK – 8 May 2025: Get ready for a year of celebration as AWE proudly marks its 90th anniversary in 2025. This significant milestone will be commemorated with a compelling series of content and engaging activities, each a testament to AWE’s enduring legacy of excellence, the invaluable partnerships with leading brands, and dedicated professionals, which have cemented its position as the distributor of choice for so many custom installers.

From its humble beginnings as an audio enthusiast’s hobby, the company has evolved into a pivotal distributor serving both the custom install and independent electrical retail sectors. Today, as a fourth-generation family-owned business, AWE continues to be driven by a deep-seated love for the industry, music and film, a passion that resonates through every aspect of its operations. Over the coming months, AWE will pull back the curtain, sharing the stories, insights, and the very essence of what makes AWE, unequivocally, AWE.

The journey begins with the launch of a captivating short video, ’90 years in 90 Seconds’. Supported by brand partners Bowers & Wilkins, Epson, LG, Marantz and Sony, the video offers a rapid yet rich glimpse into AWE’s remarkable history.

Stuart Tickle, Managing Director at AWE, commented: “Reaching 90 years in business is an incredible achievement, a truly momentous milestone for AWE. As a fourth-generation family business, it is deeply moving to reflect on the dedication of the generations before me who have steered us to this point. Each of us have brought our own direction to the business ensuring it has not just endured, but thrived through the challenges that being a company owner brings. This couldn’t be done without the support of others, so my sincere gratitude extends to the entire AWE team, past and present, our loyal customers, and our esteemed brand partners for their ongoing commitment and unwavering trust.”

AWE Timeline: A Legacy Forged in Sound

Originally founded in 1935 by Edgar A. Tickle, AWE started its 90-year journey as ‘Radio Menders’, a business to repair and sell radiograms – wireless, in the original form! This formed the early foundation of what is now AWE and commenced its expertise and passion for delivering the very latest in high-quality audio.

In 1946, Alex J. Tickle became the second-generation Managing Director and having pivoted into an engineering business during the war years, in 1953 Radio Menders evolved into Electro-Winds Ltd. The business grew, and in 1978, Barry E. Tickle was announced as third generation Managing Director.

In 1984, Barry launched Audiolite, a sister company of Electro-Winds, to manufacture background music systems. In 1987, Audiolite opened an independent electrical retail shop in Thornton Heath at the company’s HQ.

Meanwhile, Electro-Winds continued to fly and in 1989 was fulfilling runway lighting transformer contracts for Heathrow, Gatwick and the Ministry of Defence.

In 1990, Stuart D. Tickle started working for the business as a ‘Saturday boy’ in the retail shop, by which time was selling a range of audio-visual equipment including Laserdisc and early residential surround sound systems.

*(L to R) Audiolite Electrical* Retail Shop in Thornton Heath, an Electro-Winds branded van, and Stuart Tickle working in the shop as a ‘Saturday Boy’

In 2002, AWE joined CEDIA and exhibited for the first time at CEDIA Expo in Brighton. In 2003, Stuart was elected to the CEDIA UK Board of Directors, serving for 6 years.

In 2003, Stuart Tickle was announced as the fourth generation Managing Director of AWE and in 2003 moves the company HQ into new offices and warehouse in Epsom, focusing entirely on AV distribution into the residential market.

In 2014, having outgrown its premises the company moves locally to a much larger building, updates the corporate identity, and launches a new show apartment including cinema demonstration facilities and the Smart Home Academy training initiative.

*(L to R) AWE’s headquarters and warehouse in 2003, and our present-day building in Epsom, which we relocated to in 2014*

In 2021, AWE sponsors a GT Cup Aston Martin team. The Tickle family’s well-known love for motorsport has come to life over the years through partnering at various F1 events and AWE’s highly lauded Motorsport Sensation customer days.

Today, AWE remains a wholly independent family-run business, with Stuart Tickle at the helm, supported by the senior management team, all who have been a part of the company for between 15 and 35 years. As well as Stuart’s niece, Christina, working her way up to Head of Partnerships, Sales Director Paul Mott joined in 1995 and his son, Nick, has been in the business for 15 years. AWE’s General Manager, Jackie Penfold, has had a son, brother and mother who have all worked for the business. Stuart’s brother (Darren) is often seen helping behind the scenes, too. So, it is not just the Tickle’s with family depth in the company.

This enduring family ethos underpins an outstanding track record spanning an impressive collection of eighty-eight industry awards, and now, 90 years of business excellence.

Join this celebratory journey with AWE over the coming months and delve deeper into its story by following AWE Connect, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.