COMPANYHISTORIES
SIC 3625

Relays and Industrial Controls

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

10companies1916–1984founding years9still active1no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedEagle-Picher Industries, Inc.FoundedKollmorgen Corporation
1916
FoundedLegrand SA
1926
FoundedPotter & Brumfield Inc.
1933
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedMoog Inc.
1951
FoundedBetz Laboratories, Inc.
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedTalley Industries, Inc.
1960
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedSchneider S.A.
1966
FoundedFanuc Ltd.
1972
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedMagneTek, Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1916
With over 150 years of manufacturing experience, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., dominates numerous niche markets with…
Kollmorgen Corporation →
Active · founded 1916 · hhtp//www.kollmorgen.com
Kollmorgen Corporation has had its share of ups and downs.
Legrand SA →
Active · founded 1926 · France
From its home base in Limoges, France, Legrand SA is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of…
Potter & Brumfield Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1933
Potter & Brumfield Inc.
Moog Inc. →
Active · founded 1951
Moog Inc.
Betz Laboratories, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Betz Laboratories, Inc.
Talley Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1960
Talley Industries Inc.
Schneider S.A. →
Active · founded 1966 · France
After a dizzying series of complicated restructurings, acquisitions, and divestments that began in 1980 when the…
Fanuc Ltd. →
Active · founded 1972 · Japan
Headquartered at the base of Japan's Mount Fuji, Fanuc Ltd.
MagneTek, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
MagneTek, Inc., manufactures and markets electrical equipment products including lighting products, motors and…
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