Phoenix Contact, founded in 1923, it is the world market leader in electrical connections and electronic interfaces and industrial automation. The headquarters is in Blomberg, in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. Phoenix Contact provides world-class products and high-quality services to the power, electronics, communications, machinery, construction, petroleum, chemical industry, aviation, transportation, railway transportation, automobile manufacturing, and industrial automation industries. The company operates 7 production sites outside Germany, with nearly 50 sales subsidiaries and more than 30 local agencies. With more than 11,000 employees, in 2011 the company achieved a turnover of €150 million.
1923: Company founded in Essen, Germany
In Essen, Germany, Hugo Knümann established a commercial establishment for electrical products and sales of contact wire terminals for trams. Two floors of a rented building in Essen serve as offices for the company headquarters. The second story on the first floor is used for assembly. Soon after, the young company became: Phoenix Electric Company (PHONIX Elektrizitätsgesellschaft).
1928: RWE modular terminal blocks
Working together with Rhine-Westphalia Electric Power Engineering (RWE), Phoenix Contact invented the world's first modular terminal block, which was the prototype of the modern terminal and the first invention that Phoenix Contact applied for and received. patent. Since then, Phoenix Contact has been passionate about innovation and committed to the development of various connection technologies, forming a complete electrical interface technology system, many of which have become industry application standards.
1937: Ursula Lampmann
Ursula Lampmann, one of the company's first commercial staff members and later a partner, joined the company as one of its first commercial staff members. She continued to play an active role in the company for nearly sixty years.
1943: Evacuation to Blomberg
The company's offices near Essen train station were destroyed in an airstrike on March 13. The company is headquartered in the "Bürgerheim" restaurant in Blomberg.
1949: Joseph Eisert
Hugo Knümann enlisted Josef Eisert, holder of numerous terminal block patents, as his company's technical director. Eisert revamps the entire product range.
1953: Phoenix Feinbau in Lüdenscheid
After his death, Hugo Knümann, Josef Eisert and Ursula Lampmann took over the management of Phönix Klemmen.
Through the merger, the sister company Phoenix Two was created in Lüdenscheid – which marked the birth of the future Phoenix Contact Group.
1957: First production hall in Blomberg
The first two production facilities are opened at the Flachsmarkt site in Blomberg. PHONIX Klemmen's first apprentice, Helmut Konrad is welcomed.
1961: Klaus Eisert
Klaus Eisert, son of Joseph Eisert, joins the firm as managing partner. He is still in this role to this day. His brothers Jörg and Gerd joined the company the following year.
1966: Company headquarters established in Blomberg
Stop on the premises used in Essen. More than 300 employees work at the company's headquarters in Blomberg - on a constantly expanding product range.
1981 onwards: first foreign subsidiary
In the early 1980s, PHONIX Klemmen began to establish subsidiaries in foreign markets. Marked the first subsidiary in Switzerland in 1981. Sweden and the United States in the mid-1980s. Today, Phoenix Contact is represented in more than 50 countries and regions around the world.
1982: New name, new scope
PHONIX Klemmen becomes Phoenix Contact. The name of the new company itself illustrates the increasing integration of electronic functions in terminal technology. The company's slogan "Innovative Interface" conveys an increasingly international approach.
1983: Surge Protectors
Electronic protection against surge voltages for sensitive equipment and systems. From the 1980s, special terminal blocks, interfaces, and TRABTECH represent further innovations.
1987: INTERBUS – the company’s own serial fieldbus system
The INTERBUS fieldbus system revolutionizes automation: from sensors to controllers, it provides cross-system openness.
1994年：TESTLAB PHOENIX
The independent testing agency Phoenix Testlab starts its Phoenix EMV testing work in Blomberg. The company continues to be successful internationally - also with a subsidiary in China.
1996: Phoenix Contact Electronics in Bad Pyrmont
High-tech electronics manufactured in-house: The One-Click website is built in the form of Phoenix Contact Electronics in Bad Pyrmont. From the beginning, the company was certainly growing strongly.
2001: Phoenix Contact Electronics expands
Just four to five years after it was opened, the factory in Bad Pyrmont was expanded to approximately 10,000 square meters.
The Management Board appoints four new members: Roland Bent (Marketing and Development), Dr. Gunther Olesch (HR, IT, Legal Affairs), Dr. Frank Stührenberg (Sales), and Dr. Heinz Wesch (Production) . A clear sign of the company's rapid growth.
2003: New structure with business units and support units
Five business units, complemented by service and technical support units: The new models are a clear indication of the scope of Phoenix Contact's activities.
2005: New Area of Responsibility Executive Directorate
The leadership of the Executive Board appointee, Dr. Martin Heubeck (Finance and Management), is complete.
After more than 20 years, the company's slogan is: Change: From "Innovation Interfaces" to "Inspiring Innovation".
2005 and 2007: Expansion projects
In 2005, the electronic components specialist continues its growth: it opens a factory on Landstrasse in Taylor covering an area of 12,000 square meters.
Just two years later, the "Innovation Center Electronics" follows, providing 15,000 square meters of space on five floors to house the development, marketing and sales departments.
2007: Turnover exceeds €1 billion
Global turnover of approximately €107.2 million: Phoenix Contact has become the market leader in electrical engineering and its automation. The number of employees is also close to the powerful 10,000 marks.
2009: Developments despite the crisis
Phoenix Contact continues to invest even in the global economic crisis: a production hall with more than 20,000 square meters, the company's largest building, was built in Blomberg.
2010: PHOENIX CONTACT German company established
The German Phoenix Contact sales branch is established. More than 300 employees work in the field and in the sales office, personally attending to customer requests and inquiries.