Acorn contract shoot-out

SINCLAIR Research has announced its intention to challenge Acorn for the BBC computer contract when it comes up for renewal next summer.

“We Would be most interested in competing for that contract if it is feasible for us to do so,” said a Sinclair spokesman.

As a first step, Sinclair has written to the BBC to discover if the contract is to be offered on open tender. “We want to state our interest openly, well in advance and find out how the BBC wants to handle it.

“So far they have acknowledged our letter and confirmed that they are looking into it,” added the Sinclair spokesman.

Acorn remains unruffled by the Sinclair action. “Acorn is not at all worried — there is no reason why it should be — Sinclair tendered for the original contract and lost,” explained an Acorn spokesman.

“We would be surprised if Sinclair had a product that would match up to the Acorn BBC machine.
“From Acorn’s point of view the renewal is a formality — simply because of the relationship we have with the BBC. If there were going to be any problems we would know by now anyway.”

Since Acorn was awarded the BBC contract in April,1981, its turnover has increased more than 30-fold. In the year ended June, 1981, turnover amounted to £1.36m., considerably less than the £42.355m. recorded in the year ended June 1983