History
The business began when Bing Lee (Chinese: 李冰, Pinyin: lǐ bīng) purchased an electrical repair business in Fairfield, New South Wales in 1957. Lee, along with his Chinese-born son Ken Lee (Chinese: 李光裕, Pinyin: lǐ guāng yù), turned the repair business into an electrical product retail and repair/installation business named Bing Lee Electronics (Chinese: 并力电器, Pinyin: bìng lì diàn qì). Initial growth came from the surge in demand for televisions, as well as a host of other household items like washing machines, cooking equipment, heaters and audio equipment. Bing Lee was a member of Retravision NSW for a number of years before leaving and joining the Narta Group. Bing Lee opened new stores in other Sydney suburbs and across New South Wales.
Around the turn of the century, the franchisee concept was introduced to the business. Today 16 of the 40 Bing Lee retail outlets are run by franchisees.
Bing Lee also has the management rights to the "Sony Centre" concept in NSW and the ACT and currently has stores located in Chatswood, Drummoyne and World Square in Sydneys' CBD.
Bing Lee, the founder, died in 1987 (aged 79) and his eldest son Ken Lee took control of the business. Ken Lee died on 21 December 2007 of cancer, aged 75. His eldest son, Lionel Lee, took over as chief executive of the company.
Read more about this topic: Bing Lee
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