History

Foundation of Elektrisola in Germany

Elektrisola was founded by Dr. Gerd Schildbach on July 1, 1948 in Eckenhagen, Germany. His father, Dr. Ing. Richard Schildbach, was already producing fine resistance wires and held the world record in drawing the finest wire (0.008 mm) in 1938. Based on this wire drawing knowledge, Dr. Gerd Schildbach started to design and build his own fine wire enameling machines. This internally developed process technology later became a major contributor to the rapid growth of the Elektrisola fine wire production worldwide.

Italy: The first factory outside Germany

Rapid sales growth in new markets required construction of additional production capacity. Elektrisola Atesina was built in the Alps mountains in the German speaking part of northern Italy and started production in 1964.

First factory in EFTA economic area

Between 1957 and 1960, Europe had been divided into 2 different blocks, EWG (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg and The Netherlands), which became EU in 1993, and EFTA (Austria, Denmark, Great Britain, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland), with duties levied for trading between those blocks. In order to serve customers in the EFTA zone, Elektrisola Feindraht, Switzerland, was founded in 1968.

Wire drawing factory in Italy

Rapid expansion of the Italian Atesina plant required construction of a second plant 15 km away from the original factory to have better access to workers close by. In 1973 this new factory opened its doors, specializing in bare wire production.

First factory outside Europe

Elektrisola began exporting fine wire to the US market in the 1960’s. Due to the continued growth of this newest market the decision was made to build a new fine wire plant in the United States. In 1976 Elektrisola Inc. was opened in Boscawen, NH and continued to expand into the largest fine wire factory in North America.

First sales company of Asia

Sales to Asia became a new challenge in the 1980’s. Therefore a trading company, Elektrisola Hong Kong Ltd., was founded in Hong Kong in 1984.

First factory of Asia

To support the fast growing Asian market with local production, Elektrisola (Malaysia) was built and began operations in 1993 near Bentong, Malaysia.

Generation change in Management

Dr. Gerd Schildbach passes the management of the Elektrisola Group on to his sons, Dr. Detlef and Dr. Oliver Schildbach.

Sales office in Japan

The Japanese fine wire market was one of the most important in the world. Sales and Technical support was required locally in Japan to represent the other Elektrisola plants worldwide. Therefore, Nippon Elektrisola was established in 1994 as a trading company to serve the Japanese market.

Expansion in North America with a factory in Mexico

In the late 1980’s, industrial production in North America began moving south from the US into Mexico. In 1995, Elektrisola S.A. de C.V. began operation in Cuauhtémoc, Mexico, supplying fine wire to customers in the southwest US, Mexico and South America.

Acquisition of ultrafine wire production from Huber & Suhner and from Polydraht, Switzerland

Trading Company France

Following the death of the French Elektrisola sales agent in 1999, Elektrisola France was established as a trading company in a facility located northwest of Paris to distribute Elektrisola magnet wire products.

Trading Company Korea

In 1999, Elektrisola Korea was established as a trading company to support the Korean market.

Taped, profiled and extruded litz wire production started in Elektrisola Eckenhagen, Germany

First factory in China

With new emerging markets rapidly growing in China, this Asian market became very important for the electronic industry. After exporting magnet wire to China since 1982, Elektrisola Hangzhou was established in 2005 to supply customers in China.

More Sales Offices in Asia

Continued growth in Asia required additional sales offices to support the local markets. 2005 est. Elektrisola Thailand, 2006 est. Elektrisola Indonesia, 2008 est. Elektrisola India

Takeover of sales organisation in Italy

In 2006, Cofili S.r.l. was purchased by Elektrisola and a new sales office was established in Biassone.

Start of Litz wire production in Elektrisola Malaysia

Development of new conductor materials

High strength alloys including High Tension Copper Clad Aluminium conductors were introduced by Elektrisola Feindraht in Switzerland for use in magnet wire as well as Litz wire production.

New hall for solar wires in Elektrisola Feindraht, Switzerland

Major expansion of Elektrisola Hangzhou in China

Start of Litz wire production in Elektrisola Hangzhou, China

Acquisition of Specialty Products Division of Rea Magnet Wire, including ribbon and ultrafine wire production

Brazilian distributor Tecnofio established

Dr. Gerd Schildbach, founder of Elektrisola, passed away on 29th of September

Establishment of Elektrisola Medical Technologies (EMT) in USA

Production of medical grade Polyimide Tubing and specialty medical wires.

Acquisition of MWS

Speciality wire producer and distributor near Los Angeles, USA.

Major expansion of Elektrisola Mexico to support local market for automotive products

Major expansion of Elektrisola Hangzhou, China

MWS new facility completed in Oxnard, California

Major expansion of Litz wire production in Elektrisola Eckenhagen, Germany