Press Release
Brussels (Belgium), December 4, 2003
Telemecanique: 80 years of leadership in automation
devices
Pierre and André Blanchet founded Manufacture d’Appareillage Electrique in 1924. Four
years later, the company changed its name to Telemecanique Electrique.
1924 - 1980
Telemecanique demonstrated its technological leadership from the day it was founded
by inventing the first bar contactor. In 1925, the company developed the first thermal
relays, float switches and pressure gauges. It also began producing 40 A contactors, timers,
distribution boxes, pushbuttons, stop contacts and relays. Telemecanique developed thermomagnetic relays in the 1930s and presented the DRT-12 enclosed starter in 1935. In the
1950s, it developed the XB2-M series of pushbuttons, Canalis prefabricated busbar trunking
and high frequency contactors.
Over the years, Telemecanique engineers standardized Series B block contactors and
developed production of industrial automation devices. In 1966, the company presented new
techniques for digital control, weighing and measuring, speed control, elevator control and
malfunction indication with the new Telestatic generation of static, transistor-based modules
carrying out logic functions. It also developed the TM7, a new plug-in panelboard for
centralized motor control. The Series D contactors, which became the world benchmark,
were launched in 1973. The first TSP 100 PLCs came out in 1975 and the TSX 60 and 80
PLCs were brought to market in 1978.
In 1960, manufacturing accounted for 10% of revenues while installation of equipment and
systems accounted for 90%. These percentages inversed in the 1980s as Telemecanique
became one of the world’s leading suppliers of electromechanical, pneumatic and
electronic components for automating machines and industrial processes.
1980 - today
All machines are run by controllers. Telemecanique entered the era of computer
integrated manufacturing by getting the most out of the difference between early
generation control equipment and today’s products. Its devices control the operations of a
machine’s main parts. They also connect the machine to the workshop’s automated
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Press Release
(p. 2)
production management system. Very early on, Telemecanique understood that control and
information systems had to be compatible for this type of system to work.
Backed by a brilliant manufacturing background, Telemecanique confirmed its leadership
position in the automation market. Its equipment now covers four types of functions, each of
which corresponds to a range of products:
- Data acquisition using sensors, photoelectric cells, thermostats and pressure switches.
- Data processing using industrial programmable logic controllers.
- Human-machine interface using control screens, lights, keyboards and pushbuttons.
- Power control using contactors, pneumatic regulators and speed drives.
In data acquisition, Telemecanique has launched numerous sensor ranges. Highlights
include the Osiris photoelectric sensors in 1996 and the Global Detection lineup in 2002,
which combines inductive and photoelectric sensors, limit switches and pressure switches.
In data processing, series 7 PLCs replaced earlier models in 1984 and the first Telway 7
local industrial network was brought to market. These products were followed by the TSX
17 micro PLC, X-Tel programming software, the TSX 07 nano PLC, the Micro and Premium
PLCs and, in 2002, the Twido PLC.
The human-machine interface lineup was expanded in 1980 with the new XB2-B series of
pushbuttons and indicators. XBT terminals with screens and keyboards were launched in
1986 and the Harmony range of pushbuttons, indicators and illuminated indicator banks
was introduced in 2000.
Numerous power control ranges have been launched over the past 20 years, including
GV1 electromagnetic circuit breakers in 1980, the Integral 32/63 contactor-circuit
breaker (a world first) in 1983, new Series D contactors in 1990, TeSys D contactors in
2000 and TeSys U, the market’s first starter-controller, in 2002. Speed drives for motor
control and monitoring have also been a key focus, with the first generation Altivar drives in
the 1980s, followed by the Altivar 16 and 66 series, Altivar 08, 58 and 68 and, in 2002,
Altivar 11, the smallest speed drive in its field.
Telemecanique has matched its technological strength with vibrant business
development. Very early in its history, the company looked to expand internationally. Its
first subsidiary opened in Brussels in 1934, followed by another in Milan in 1935. By 1987,
with 14,000 employees (of which nearly 40% outside France), Telemecanique was the
world leader in variable-component contactors. That same year, it posted consolidated
sales of FF 6.87 billion (€1.036 billion) and net income of FF 673 million (€102.59 million). It
was the leading manufacturer of automation components in France and ranked second in
Europe and third worldwide. Less well known, it was the leading maker of prefabricated
busbar trunking, launched in 1953 and sold under the Canalis name. Its manufacturing
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(p. 3)
base was supported by 50 production units, 4,000 sales outlets and a worldwide network of
subsidiaries.
Telemecanique became part of Schneider SA in 1988 with 14,500 employees, 32
subsidiaries outside France and 4,100 sales outlets. It generated 58% of its sales outside
France, of which 39% through its 15 European subsidiaries. In 1994, Telemecanique
merged with Merlin Gerin to form Schneider Electric Industries SA. In 2003, Telemecanique
became Schneider Electric’s single, global specialist brand for industrial control and
automation.
Pioneering social policy
Telemecanique was already being described as a company with forward-looking labor policies back
in the 1930s. It stood apart for such progressive concepts as employee share ownership and paid
vacation, granted in 1931. A charter defined the company’s relationship with each of its members.
Key concepts included recognition of individual initiative as the main source of group efficiency and
the need to match compensation to effectiveness. Telemecanique’s corporate culture also put a
priority on maintaining job levels, informing employees to win their support and respecting individual
freedom. By 1948, a percentage of each capital increase was reserved for employees, who owned
18% of the company in 1959. Year after year, employee share ownership increased, with a corporate
savings plan introduced in 1986 and a stock option plan in 1987.
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric
Give the best of the New Electric World
To everyone, everywhere, at any time
Schneider Electric, the world's Power & Control specialist with leading global brands such as Merlin
Gerin, Square D and Telemecanique, offers a comprehensive range of products and services for the
following markets: residential, buildings, industry and energy and infrastructure.
Schneider Electric's 74 800 employees generated sales of €9.1 billion in 2002 through 13,000 sales
outlets in 130 countries.
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(p. 4)
The road to success – Telemecanique
Telemecanique invented the first contactor in 1924 and quickly expanded its
business to become a leading specialist in industrial control and automation.
Starting in 1931, the company initiated a pioneering social policy that offered many
benefits long before they were mandated by law. Telemecanique moved outside
France early in its history and built a large network of subsidiaries worldwide
between 1950 and 1988.
1924
Michel Le Gouellec acquired "Manufacture d'Appareillage Electrique" which became
"Telemecanique Electrique" in 1928.
André Blanchet filed a patent for the first bar contactor.
The company began producing 40 A contactors, timers, distribution boxes, pushbuttons,
stop contacts and relays.
1925
Development of the first thermal relays, float switches and pressure gauges.
Introduction of a profit-linked incentive scheme.
1926
Creation of after-sales service. Agencies opened in Grenoble, Lille, Nantes, Metz, Lyon and
other large French cities.
1928
First foreign agency opened in Belgium.
1931
All employees granted fifteen days of vacation.
1935
Telemecanique opened a high-power test center in Nanterre for research on contactor
breaking power.
Development of thermo-magnetic relays and introduction of the DRT-12 motor starter in an
enclosure.
1937
Sales-linked incentive scheme eliminated and profit-linked incentive scheme extended to all
employees. First corporate newsletter.
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1946
Consultative works council established and job grade scale considered. Monthly salary
implemented for all employees.
1950
Development of XB2-M range, pushbuttons and lights.
1951
Creation of a network of exclusive distributors in France.
1953
Introduction of Canalis busbar trunking for low and medium power distribution in buildings.
1954
Agreements with Merlin Gerin to rationalize production.
Second generation of DRT-16 enclosed motor starters brought to market.
1957
Development of high frequency contactors.
1960-1970
Eleven subsidiaries established in Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, the UK,
Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Spain, Denmark and the US.
1963
Production space: 61,700 square meters. Twelve plants.
Workforce: 4,000 employees.
Twelve subsidiaries outside France and 240 agents and distributors.
1964
Series B block contactors developed.
1965
New sales offices opened in Lille, Montpellier, Orléans and Toulouse.
1966
Development of the new Telestatic generation of static, transistor-based modules
leveraging digital techniques for control and monitoring, weighing and measuring, motor
control (with VAR 100/200 speed drives) elevator control and malfunction indication.
Development of the TM7, a new plug-in panelboard for centralized motor control.
Investor Relations :
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Media contact :
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Michel Rochon
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Michel Calzaroni
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1968
Employee profit sharing.
Development of Series CA2-A auxiliary contactors and Series C contactors.
1969
Introduction of CA2-F automation relays.
1971-1988
Fourteen subsidiaries opened in South Africa, Australia, Austria, Colombia, Singapore Iran,
Finland, Japan, Venezuela, Mexico, Greece, Argentina, Hong Kong and Turkey.
1973
Development of the new Series D contactors, which became the worldwide benchmark in
their field.
1975
First TSP 100 programmable logic controller (PLC).
1978
Introduction of the first generation PLCs (TSX 80).
1980
New PLC launch with the TSX 60.
Introduction of GV1 thermo-magnetic circuit breakers and XB2-B pushbuttons and indicator
lights.
1981-1982
First XVA illuminated indicator bank.
Series E contactors and TSX11/21 mini PLCs brought to market.
1983
World’ s first contactor-circuit breaker (Integral 32/63).
1984-1985
Launch of the Series 7 second generation PLCs, with TSX 47, 67 and 87. First Telway local
industrial network.
1986-1987
Development of the XBT HMI terminal, with screen and keyboard.
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1988
Telemecanique became part of Groupe Schneider with 14,500 employees, 32 subsidiaries
outside France, 4,100 sales outlets and sales of FF 8 billion.
Launch of the TSX 17 Micro PLC.
1990-1992
Introduction of the Series D contactor range, X-Tel software for programming PLCs, and FTX
417/507 PC-compatible industrial laptops.
1993-1995
Merlin Gerin and Telemecanique were merged into Schneider Electric SA in 1994.
Introduction of the new generation of Altivar 16 and 66 speed drives.
Development of Series K contactors, GV2 thermo-magnetic circuit breakers, Integral 18
contactor-circuit breakers, Series F power contactors and the TSX 07 nano PLC.
1996-1999
Introduction of Osiris photoelectric cells, Harmony lights and pushbuttons, the
Telemecanique Tego Dial and Tego Power solutions for deploying human-machine
interface for motor starters, Altivar 08 and 58 speed drives, TSX 37 Micro PLC and the
Premium automation platform.
2000-2001
Creation of TeSys, the new generation of circuit breakers, contactors and overload relays
that builds on the Series D. The new line's Quickfit technology enables tool-less, wire-free
connection, thereby reducing connection time by an impressive 50%.
Introduction of the Zelio Logic programmable module.
2002-2003
Introduction of the Simply Smart concept comprising new, increasingly intelligent industrial
control and automation ranges that are easy to install and open to the market’s principle
communication standards. Products include Global Detection photoelectric and inductive
sensors, limit switches and pressure sensors; TeSys U, the market’s first starter-controller;
Altivar 11; Altistart 48; the Twido nano-PLC; Magelis industrial PCs; and Vijeo Look
supervision software.
In April 2003, Modicon, which became part of Schneider Electric in 1994, became the
name of a Telemecanique product range. Modicon invented the first PLC in the United
States in 1968.
Investor Relations :
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Alexandre Brunet
Media contact :
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Michel Calzaroni
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tel. +33 (0)1 41 29 70 71
fax +33 (0)1 41 29 71 42
www.schneider-electric.com
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