VIC 20 and VC 20 Factories - where?

[Schnurri]

I tried to extract some information about the factories that produced the VIC 20 and VC 20 back in the days, but to my surprise I could not find anything reliable (apart from the obvious 'Made in Western Germany' etc.). Is there any 'serious' literature available about the factory locations and computer output in Canada, Japan, Western Germany, UK and the US? Did I forgot a location? Looking forward to your replies. Schnurri

[orion70]

The books by Brian Bagnall are the best source I guess.

[ral-clan]

Commodore Business Machines Limited
3470 Pharmacy Ave
Toronto ON M1W 3G3
Canada

I had to go there once to have my Amiga serviced. It was a large distribution warehouse / service depot and perhaps the Canadian corporate offices. I'm not sure if they made any products there, but I would assume at least the some VIC-20s were assembled there, as I have a few "MADE IN CANADA" VIC-20s.

I would therefore guess that maybe the PET was also being assembled there for the Canadian market.
And since I've also heard that Commodore office furniture division - metal filing cabinets, desks, office equipment trolleys were being made there, that there were some sort of fabrication facilities.

The story goes that although Commodore debut the first PET prototype in 1977-78 with a lovely curved case, Jack Trameil ultimately went with a straight sided sheet metal case for the PET 2001 because they already had the Toronto plant which was familiar with making sheet metal products and could do it more cheaply.

https://i2.wp.com/www.commodore.ca/gall ... /cover.jpg

Remember, Jack Trameil started the company in Toronto.

[ral-clan]

California plant:
http://articles.latimes.com/1986-01-10/ ... ernational

Others:
http://www.amiga.org/forums/archive/ind ... 20599.html

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=33117

https://rulings.cbp.gov/detail.asp?ru=557564&ac=pr

[mrr19121970]

Santa Clara, CA (S serials)
West Chester, PA (P serials)
Branschweig, Niedersachsen, (W) Germany

[srowe]

Looks like the UK factory was in Corby, Northamptonshire

https://nosher.net/archives/computers/adve_068

http://www.retroisle.com/commodore/c641 ... ar1984.php

[COREi64]

Commodore Business Machines Limited
3470 Pharmacy Ave
Toronto ON M1W 3G3
Canada

... perhaps the Canadian corporate offices...

The Canadian corporate offices were there, I know cuz I worked there at the time. It was also a warehouse and repair depot.

COREi64