GPO
ActiveOverview
GPO Retro is a UK brand that manufactures and sells vintage-inspired telephones, radios, turntables, and hospitality products under license of the historic GPO name. Operated by ProTelX Limited, it targets consumers and hospitality sectors with retro-styled items compatible with modern technologies like SIP and VoIP. The brand revives designs from the original General Post Office era, focusing on landline phones, rotary dial models, and audio accessories.
History
ProTelX Limited, trading as GPO Retro, was established in September 2009 to design, develop, and manufacture high-quality consumer retro products inspired by the original GPO brand. The original GPO, formed in 1660, managed UK's postal, telegraph, and telephone services until privatization in the 1980s, producing durable telephones over 150 years. GPO Retro continues this heritage by producing modern replicas of classic GPO telephones and expanding into related retro audio products.
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Retro Telephones (rotary dial landline phones) | Vintage GPO-style phones for home use | $100 - $300 |
| SIP/VOIP Telephones | Retro design phones for modern IP networks | $150 - $400 |
| Hospitality Phones (hotel phones) | Durable retro phones for commercial settings | $120 - $350 |
| Turntables/Record Players | Retro vinyl players with modern features | $150 - $500 |
| Radios (DAB and Bluetooth) | Vintage-styled digital and analog radios | $80 - $250 |
Manufacturing
Products are designed and manufactured by ProTelX Limited in the UK, with headquarters at Unit 6 Park 17 Industrial Estate, Whitefield, Manchester. Specific details on in-house versus outsourced production are not disclosed, but the company positions itself as the official manufacturer of GPO Retro items.
Notable Products
- 1970's Classic Retro Telephone - Rotary dial phone with authentic bell ringing and solid construction mimicking original GPO models.
- GPO Audio Guest Book - Retro-styled device for recording guest messages at events.
- Four Wave DAB Retro Radio - Digital radio with vintage design supporting DAB and Bluetooth.
- GPO Turntable - Vinyl record player with retro aesthetics and contemporary playback features.
- SIP Hotel Phone - VoIP-compatible phone for hospitality use with classic GPO look.
Reputation
GPO Retro is recognized by retro enthusiasts for faithfully recreating sturdy, nostalgic GPO telephone designs with modern functionality. Professionals in hospitality value its reliable SIP phones for hotels seeking vintage charm. Some note higher pricing compared to generic retro imports, but praise the authentic UK heritage and build quality.