Capacitors boosts the current and increases the power factor to an electrical motor.
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In 2022, we're celebrating our 95th anniversary as a successful, global company. This milestone is an outcome of our great people, innovation, and operational and commercial excellence that have driven the company's success over the years.
Notably, Littelfuse was recognized as one of America's Best Mid-Sized Companies in 2022 by Forbes magazine based on its financial performance and total shareholder return during 2021 and the previous five years. This acknowledgment highlights the great teamwork and execution by our associates worldwide and their focus on delivering the highest levels of quality and service for our customers—everywhere, every day. View the complete list of the top 100 Mid-Sized Companies.
In 2021, Littelfuse launched its five-year growth strategy, continuing the success of our previous five-year strategy. Aligned to the long-term structural growth themes of sustainability, connectivity, and safety, we are focused on designing and delivering innovative, reliable solutions for customers across the industrial, transportation, and electronics end markets.
Littelfuse also achieved record annual sales of $2.1 billion, up 44% from the prior year, in 2021 and continued our growth focus, which included strategic acquisitions.
2010
In 2010, we began leveraging our global leadership position in circuit protection to expand into the power control and sensing markets, largely by acquisition. By 2016, we exceeded $1 billion in annual sales and achieved our five-year strategic goal of delivering a 15% compound annual growth rate. Additionally, we opened our European Headquarters in Bremen, Germany, and three US R&D centers focusing on industrial, automotive, and electronics applications.
Power Electronics
Temperature Sensing
Commercial Vehicles
Industrial Facilities, Mining
Locations in Americas
Locations in Europe
Locations in Asia
2021
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2000
After decades of innovation and through strategic acquisitions, we developed the broadest and deepest circuit protection portfolio in the world. Other milestones include relocating our headquarters from Des Plaines, IL, US, to Chicago, IL, US; expanding into the protection relay market with the 2008 acquisition of Startco, and reaching $500 million in sales in 2004.
Electronics
World's Smallest Protection Thyristor
Automotive
Portable Electronics
World's Smallest Surface Mount Fuse
Industrial Facilities
New manufacturing facility in Wuxi, China
Expanded electronics manufacturing facility in the Philippines
2008
2006
2005
2003
2002
1990
By the end of the 1990s, we were a truly global company with 16 worldwide locations, and well on our way to becoming the circuit protection leader. Milestones include emerging from Tracor ownership as an independent Illinois corporation in 1991, achieving ISO 9000 certification at all US facilities, and establishing Six Sigma goals organization-wide to drive excellence in a culture of continuous improvement.
Industrial
Motor Control
World's Smallest Fuse Block
16 Manufacturing, distribution, sales, and engineering offices across 4 continents
New sales office in Hong Kong, China
New engineering office in Yokohama, Japan
1999 Best Electrical Component Supplier
Automotive Industry Magazine
1998 Product of the Year
Plant Engineering Magazine, Class J Indicating Fuses
1995 Product of the Year
Plant Engineering Magazine, 3AG Indicating Fuse
1994 Product of the Year
Plant Engineering Magazine, IDSR
1999
1980
Breakthroughs in consumer technology abounded in the 1980s. All required circuit protection, driving innovation in electronics and automotive solutions. The decade also marked our full commitment to the industrial market with the construction of a state-of-the-art power fuse manufacturing facility and our high-power test lab. In 1987, defense contractor Westmark Systems led a buyout of Littelfuse and Tracor.
First Surface Mount Fuse
Computer & Telecom
World's Smallest Glass Tube Fuse
New sales office in Singapore
New high-power lab in Illinois
1986 Q1 Quality Award
Ford Motor Company; Des Plaines, IL, US facility
1985 Q1 Quality Award
Ford Motor Company; Watseka, IL, US facility
1970
Innovating at the speed of modern life, we developed fuses for computers as mainstream use grew. In the automotive marketplace, we introduced the first blade-type ATO fast-acting fuse. This technology soon became the global standard in the industry, solidifying the company’s growing reputation as an innovative leader in circuit protection.
First Fast-Acting Blade-Type Fuse
Office Electronics and Gaming Systems
New manufacturing facility in Piedras Negras, Mexico
1970 Outstanding Supplier Award
General Electric
1960
The 1960s were unprecedented in our history. Recognizing the space exploration industry's potential, we entered the world of micro-circuitry with two subminiature fuse lines that were incorporated into the Gemini human spaceflight program. Our founder Edward V. Sundt retired as the company’s chairman in 1965, when sales reached $11 million. In 1968, defense technology and services company Tracor, Inc., acquired Littelfuse.
Aerospace
New manufacturing facilities in England
New manufacturing facility and headquarters in Des Plaines, IL, US
1964 Gemini II Launch Vehicle Team Flag
Critical Parts Supplier of a Life-Saving Component
1950
By the 1950s, we were well known for circuit protection capabilities and poised to take advantage of the growing popularity of home television sets. This doubled within three years early in the decade, with over 29 million American homes featuring TV sets by 1954. Additionally, further expansion of our automotive product line extended the reach of our technology innovations to an even more diverse customer base.
Home Entertainment
First Under-the-Dash Fuse Block
New manufacturing facility in Des Plaines, IL, US
1940
Developing circuit protection solutions for the communications and aviation industries drove business during World War II. By 1943, sales had reached $2.5 million. After the war, increasing demand for televisions and portable radios created a need for application-specific circuit-protection innovations, opening doors to new markets and opportunities.
600 Associates in Chicago, IL, US by 1943
Began construction on an El Monte, Ca, US manufacturing facility to serve aviation customers in 1940
1930
Littelfuse Laboratories became Littelfuse, Inc. in 1938, having grown from $264 in sales in 1928 to $105,000 a decade later. The rapid rise in popularity of automobiles and aviation allowed us to innovate successful fuse solutions for those markets, including a high-durability fuse for United Airlines that became the industry standard. Likewise, in the early years of the electronics industry, we innovated to meet the demands of electronics pioneers and grew alongside them.
New manufacturing facility in Chicago, IL, US in 1939
1920
When he was 27 years old, engineer Edward V. Sundt sold his car to raise initial working capital for what became Littelfuse Laboratories in 1927. He patented the first small, fast-acting protective fuse designed to prevent sensitive test meters from burning out. In 1928, Sundt received his first order, worth $1.10, resulting from an ad he placed in Radio News Magazine. Sales in 1928 totaled $264.
Lighting
Littelfuse Laboratories founded in Chicago, IL, US in 1927
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