Our history
Innovation meets expertise
You need education, ability, knowledge, and desire; then you can achieve something in life.
Interview with the Fronius & Strauß families
How did it all begin? Which products and, most importantly, which people have had a lasting impact on our business? And what continues to drive us to this day?
We sat down for a series of informal chats with our owners as they took us on an exciting journey through eight decades of Fronius – complete with some fascinating historical photos.
Three generations: Fronius over the years
Notice
“I have opened a repair shop for radios and electrical equipment at the Rankleiten inn. All repairs are carried out by me personally either in my workshop or at your premises. My valued customers can place their full trust in my services at any time.”
The beginnings
On June 20, 1945, Günter Fronius signed the above notice in Pettenbach and Fronius was born. From these humble origins in rural Austria, an international story of success has grown that continues into the present day. Now under the stewardship
of the third generation of Günter’s family, the company is still based in the town where it all began. Günter Fronius lived and worked in Pettenbach after accepting an old military shed as payment for some repair work.
Shortly after starting his business, the trained electrical engineer developed simple battery chargers that would allow car batteries to be used for longer. Building on this same technology, he soon expanded his product range in 1950 to include welding transformers.
Over the following decades, Fronius steadily grew into a respected family-owned enterprise.
Years of growth
In 1980, Günter Fronius handed control of the company to his children, Brigitte Strauß and Klaus Fronius. The siblings pursued a strategy of growth and internationalization, with numerous subsidiaries being established around the world.
At the beginning of the 1990s, the two CEOs expanded their focus to include the pioneering technology of solar energy. Written off by some at the time as pie in the sky, this sector has since become a key branch of the business. Because no matter the field of application, our technologies have always been ahead of the curve. Courage, an innovative spirit, and groundbreaking developments have ultimately enabled Fronius to expand around the globe.
Shaping the future
In 2012, the baton was passed to the next generation: Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß. The granddaughter of the company’s founder, she has continued to set the course for growth and remains true to our commitment to innovation, quality, and service.
This means that we are constantly researching cutting-edge technologies as the springboard for new business ideas. Our mission, which unites some 7,000 professionals in more than 30 countries around the world, is clear: to research and control electricity as the fuel of the future.
While the basic concept has remained the same, countless opportunities for change have presented themselves over the years. We are no longer “just” a manufacturer, but have instead long been recognized as a high-tech enterprise. All our products are based on highly complex software solutions, data management systems, and apps for user-friendly solutions.
“What we are and what we stand for is based on my grandfather’s belief in sustainability. We remain committed to this sense of responsibility today.”
Our milestones
