Philips 12NC code numbers (on request and as requested)

[Maarten]

Philips210 asked for some information on Philips code numbers in https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...64&postcount=6

Since such questions come up from time to time, it may be better to answer them in a common thread. Requests for information or explanation can also be posted here.

The 12NC coding system was implemented starting in 1963 and is still in use in some Philips and former Philips locations. It was thought up to reflect the matrix business model that Philips used to have but is quite versatile and well thought out.

[Maarten]

The first two digits are called "code group" and started out corresponding to a main industry group or industry group so they indicate the kind of product the number refers to.

The interpretation of the remaining 10 digits is determined by the code group, even though the meaning is relatively consistent between code groups.

Code groups 01 through 82 mostly follow the same pattern, with the exception of 48 and 53. Code groups from 85 through 98 are commercial numbers, what we would call SKU's in modern jargon and may or may not follow similar patterns.

Most relevant for this forum are code groups
31 for consumer electronics (originally main industry group "radio, gramophone and television")
35 for telecom
39 for electro acoustics
40 for professional electronics
42 for appliances and large appliances
46 (later) for large appliances

48 and 53 for service parts (not an industry group but straight under the core organisation)

85 (later) for large appliances
86 and 90 for consumer electronics
88 for appliances and large appliances
95 for telecom

[Maarten]

The third and fourth digits are called "coding centre". This often corresponds to a national organisation (read: country), but can be a product group or business unit (I don't know the official jargon for that case).

These numbers also correspond to the first two digits of model numbers as often used (but sometimes omitted) from 1966 on. This is because the model number corresponds/maps to the SKU and the SKU is a 12NC.

Though it often correlates, this is NOT meant to indicate the country of manufacture! Rather, it indicates the origin of the design or of the commercial specification (especially in SKU's).

It started out as an alphabetical listing (with some flaws in bold, if anyone knows why, I'd like to know), but as national and other organisations were added, the assignment happened in order of appearance. Numbers up to and including 37 were taken from a 1967 internal list from Philips. I haven't spotted all of them in the wild. Some may have never been used or only used much later (I'm not aware of any Polish activity before 1989, though Philips might have had some kind of organisation in Yugoslavia).

01 Argentina
02 Australia
03 Austria
04 Belgium
05 Colombia
06 Brasil
07 Canada
08 Denmark
09 Chile
10 Finland
11 France
12 Germany
13 Great Britain
14 Greece
15 India
16 Indonesia
17 Nigeria
18 Ireland
19 Italy
20 Japan
21 Mexico
22 Netherlands
23 New Zealand
24 Norway
25 Peru
26 Salvador
27 Polen
28 Portugal
29 South Africa
30 Spain
31 Sweden
32 Switzerland
33 Turkey
34 Uruguay
35 USA
36 Venezuela
37 Yugoslavia
38 Taiwan
39 Singapore
40 Hong Kong
41 China?
42 China?
43 Hungary

Then some higher numbers were assigned mostly used for audio related stuff, often seen in SKU's and not often in the lower numbered code groups.

66 (seen on hifi from Sweden)
67 (seen on a portable radio from Japan)
69 (seen on various car radios)
70 (central product range from Eindhoven, still in use)
74, 75 Marantz
90 Far East (seems to have also been used for Singapore before 39 was assigned and for Hong Kong before 40 was assigned)

[Jac]

Maarten, from what I know, the following was used:

countries:

41 Peoples Republic of China
42 Republic of Korea
44 Romania

Jac

[Maarten]

Thanks Jac, that's a very good addition!