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The CompanyHistory
History
For over 60 years the name Fronius has stood for intensive research and the constant search for new, innovative solutions. The perfect efficiency of every product has repeatedly been awarded both national and international prizes.
Limit selection
10th June 1945
Company
The firm is established by Günter Fronius in Pettenbach, Austria, and commences production of battery chargers and welding transformers.
around 1950
Welding Technology
Market launch of Fronius' first welding transformer with magnetic yoke-type regulation, permitting continuous adjustment of the welding current.
around 1955
Welding Technology
Semiconductors are used in Fronius welding rectifiers for the first time - making convenient DC welding a reality.
around 1958
Battery Charging Systems
First battery chargers, based on 50 Hz technology.
1972
Company
The company's 2nd facility is opened in Wels-Thalheim, Austria.
1980
Company
Handover of company management to Klaus Fronius and Brigitte Strauß
1981
Welding Technology
Unveiling of the world's first-ever primary transistor-switched power source (TransArc 500). The inverter technology used not only brings such advantages as low weight and volume, but also - and even more importantly - opens up hitherto unheard-of new possibilities in terms of welding technology.
1986
Company
A Fronius sales and production facility opens for business in Istanbul, Turkey.
1988
Company
Buying of the location in Wels: Buxbaumstraße 2 (Austria)
around 1988
Battery Charging Systems
Launch of the second product category - chargers for traction batteries based on 50Hz technology.
1990
Welding Technology
Launch of a revolutionary high-performance MAG welding process known as the T.I.M.E. Process, which - for the first time in welding history - makes very high welding speeds possible.
1991
Company
Opening of a sales and production facility at Kiev in the Ukraine.
1992
Company
A sales and production facility is opened at Ceský Krumlov in the Czech Republic.
1993
Battery Charging Systems
In another "first", inverter-technology know-how is used for transistor-switched chargers for vehicle starter batteries (ACCTIVA Series). The result: Precision charging is now possible with a small and - above all - lightweight unit.
1993
Welding Technology
Fuzzy technology is used for the first time in the field of welding-process control (MagicWave 2000).
1993
Company
Sales organisations are set up in Germany, Switzerland, France and Norway.
Certification to ISO 9001.
1994
Battery Charging Systems
Market launch of transistor-switched chargers for traction batteries (SELECTIVA Series).
1994
Welding Technology
The Innovation Prize of the Province of Upper Austria is awarded to Fronius for its use of fuzzy technology in the field of welding-process control (MagicWave 2000).
1995
Battery Charging Systems
Establishment of the Energy & Environment Division, with business units for photovoltaics and battery charging systems.1995
Welding Technology
The world's lightest portable MMA welding unit is launched, weighing a mere 4.2 kg (TransPocket 1400).
Innovation Prize of the Province of Upper Austria for product design (MagicWave 2600).
1995
Solar Electronics
Establishment of the Energy & Environment Division, with business units for photovoltaics and battery charging systems.
Launch of the "Sunrise" grid-connected solar inverter for generating electricity from solar energy and feeding it into the power grid.
1997
Battery Charging Systems
Market launch of what is, to date, the smallest transistor-switched charging unit for traction batteries in its power class (SELECTIVA PLUS Series).
1997
Solar Electronics
Innovation Prize of the Province of Upper Austria for the "Sunrise" solar inverter.
1998
Welding Technology
Unveiling of the world's first-ever completely digitally controlled MIG/MAG welding power sources (TransSynergic 4000 / 5000; TransPuls Synergic 2700 / 4000 / 5000). From now on, quality is 100% reproducible.
Innovation Prize of the Province of Upper Austria for "Virtual Welding".
1998
Solar Electronics
Launch of the "Solarix", a sine-wave solar inverter for stand-alone operation. The first such unit - anywhere - in which the inverter and charge controller really do work together smoothly.
1999
Solar Electronics
Innovation Prize of the Province of Upper Austria for the sine-wave solar inverter "Solarix".
1999
Company
Establishment of the Private Trust “Friedl and Günter Fronius”.2000
Company
For tighter focus of the various fields of the company's business, 4 Divisions are established: "Welding Technology", "Battery Charging Systems and Car Repair Equipment", "Solar Electronics" and "Plasma Technology".
"Success through Research" award from the Austrian Industrial Research Promotion Fund (FFF) in recognition of the enduring successes achieved by Fronius though its innovation strategy.
2001
Battery Charging Systems
Launch of the mini-size transistor-switched plug-in charger "ACCTIVA easy". As well as having a very gentle charging characteristic, the unit also features a unique design approach and makes it possible to both test and charge the battery with one and the same unit.
2001
Welding Technology
Unveiling of the world's first-ever genuinely industrial-grade LaserHybrid welding system, with welding speeds of up to
Market launch of a series of MMA welding units (TransPocket 1100 / 1500 / 1500 RC / 1500 TIG) with resonant intelligence, which permits an almost perfect approximation to the principle of the ideal characteristic.
2001
Solar Electronics
The "Fronius IG" grid-connected inverter is launched. With features such as data communication via plug-in cards, low weight and its compatibility with all common makes of photovoltaic module, the "Fronius IG" achieves the utmost in flexibility for the client.
Award of the Environment Prize of the Province of Upper Austria for the
2001
Company
A brand-new production facility is opened in Pettenbach, Austria.
2001
Company
Extension of the management team to 6 persons: Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß, Klaus Fronius, Heinz Hackl, Herbert Mühlböck, Volker Lenzeder, Brigitte Strauß
2002
Welding Technology
The strong, silent type. The new Fronius systems, MagicWave 1700, MagicWave 2200, and TransTig 2200, offer a higher power density, lower noise levels, more stable arcs, and greater ease of operation than conventional welding systems.
Market launch of the VarioSynergic and VarioStar product ranges. These step-controlled welding systems are synonymous with low operating costs, easy handling, long life, and flawless welding quality.
2002
Company
Fronius goes USA! April 2002 saw the launch of a Fronius sales and service subsidiary in Detroit, focusing on the local automobile industry as its initial target market.
2003
Welding Technology
Premiere for the “TimeTwin Digital” process. In this process, two independently controlled power sources with two insulated wire electrodes work together in a single gas nozzle and a shared welding pool. These innovative systems achieve maximum economy and efficiency in automatic welding of low and high-alloy steel and aluminium materials.The TransPuls Synergic 7200 and 9000 are launched on the market. These systems consist of two linked TransPuls Synergic 4000 or 5000 systems and produce a current of 720 and 900 amperes respectively. This procedure is designed to deliver the kind of high performance that is required in automatic and robot welding.
The remote control unit RCU 5000i with full text display. This RCU features logical user prompting and is easy to use. To standardise procedures for backing up, exchanging, and documenting welding data, a Smart Media Card is used. Another new feature is the Windows-compatible USB interface for easy data transfer.
2003
Solar Electronics
Market launch of the Fronius IG 40 / 60 with MIX concept. The MIX concept achieves a marked increase in energy yield under part load and also enables more efficient utilisation of the inverter.
2004
Battery Charging Systems
First deliveries of Acctiva easy charging systems that communicate with motorcycle wiring systems.
2004
Welding Technology
TIG product range extended with the addition of the MagicWave 4000/5000 and TransTig 4000/5000: these robust and powerful welding systems are available in Standard and Job versions. Active Wave provides a highly stable arc with minimum noise emission.
All high-performance Fronius welding systems are now fully digital, including the TIME 5000. Extended stick-out means up to 30 % improved wire feeding speeds or burn-off rate.
2004
Solar Electronics
Fronius Solar Electronics triples its production capacity from 70 MW to 200 MW! Additionally, inverters are UL certified for the USA, and the first sales partner for the Far East is won.
2005
Battery Charging Systems
World premiere for the new SELECTIVA platform charging device with Active Inverter Technology for battery-friendly and constant charging.
Market launch of the new Acctiva Professional Flash charging systems to provide power while running diagnostics on vehicles with central electronics.
2005
Battery Charging Systems
Market launch of new Acctiva Professional Flash chargers for supplying power whilst performing diagnosis on vehicles with in-car electronics.
2005
Welding Technology
CMT (Cold Metal Transfer) market launch. This new MIG/MAG welding process enables thermal joining of steel and aluminium and shows convincing performance with spatter free soldering of coated sheet metal and ultra-thin bonds.
The 100 percent digitally controlled welding system range is extended to include Resonant Intelligence with the TransPocket 2500/3500 – extremely robust, small, light, but powerful.
2005
Solar Electronics
Market launch of the first central inverter with MIX design, the Fronius IG 500, in Europe and Korea. Multiple small power components in an inverter boost efficiency under partial load.
2006
Welding Technology
“Welding Technology of the Year 2006 Award” for the welding processes Cold Metal Transfer and DeltaSpot.
2006
Welding Technology
Fronius is bringing out its first plasma-cutting device. On the TransCut 300, a fluid serves as the cutting medium. This portable cutting system also sets up a brand-new benchmark for “green cutting”.Market launch of DeltaSpot. The “world first” of this resistance spot-welding system is its spooling process tapes which protect both the electrodes and the workpiece, revolutionising the weld quality.
2007
Solar Electronics
Market launch of the new grid-connected PV-inverters "Fronius IG Plus": New power classes expand the proven Fronius IG series. These high-tech devices include many advantages and grant maximum earnings security – in any weather!
2007
Company
Opening of the new production and logistics centre at Sattledt, Austria
Opening of the sales and service centre at Santa Catarina/Monterrey, Mexico and Missisauga, Canada
2007
Solar Electronics
HyLOG presents a CO²-free internal logistics system in Sattledt with photovoltaic, electrolysis and hydrogen power. The project was honored by the Austrian Solar Award and the Energy Globe Award.