History
For over 65 years the name Fronius has stood for intensive research and the constant search for new, innovative solutions. Our state-of-the-art products have received numerous international awards for innovation, environmental stewardship and best practices.
10th June 1945
The firm is established by Günter Fronius in Pettenbach, Austria, and commences production of battery chargers and welding transformers.
Around 1950
Market launch of Fronius' first welding transformer with magnetic yoke-type regulation, permitting continuous adjustment of the welding current.
Around 1955
Semiconductors are used in Fronius welding rectifiers for the first time - making convenient DC welding a reality.
1972
The company's 2nd facility is opened in Wels-Thalheim, Austria.
1980
Handover of company management to Klaus Fronius and Brigitte Strauß
1981
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
A Fronius sales and production facility opens for business in Istanbul, Turkey.
1988
Buying of the location in Wels: Buxbaumstraße 2 (Austria)
1990
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
Opening of a sales and production facility at Kiev in the Ukraine.
1992
A sales and production facility is opened at Ceský Krumlov in the Czech Republic.
1993
Fuzzy technology is used for the first time in the field of welding-process control (MagicWave 2000).
1993
Sales organisations are set up in Germany, Switzerland, France and Norway.
Certification to ISO 9001.
1994
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
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
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
Innovation Prize of the Province of Upper Austria for the "Sunrise" solar inverter.
1998
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
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
Innovation Prize of the Province of Upper Austria for the sine-wave solar inverter "Solarix".
1999
Establishment of the Private Trust “Friedl and Günter Fronius”.
2000
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
Unveiling of the world's first-ever genuinely industrial-grade LaserHybrid welding system, with welding speeds of up to
9 m/min.
Innovation Prize of the Province of Upper Austria for "LaserHybrid".
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
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 "Fronius IG" solar inverter.
2001
A brand-new production facility is opened in Pettenbach, Austria.
2001
Extension of the management team to 6 persons: Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß, Klaus Fronius, Heinz Hackl, Herbert Mühlböck, Volker Lenzeder, Brigitte Strauß
2002
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Market launch of the first central inverter with MIXTM design, the Fronius IG 500, in Europe and Korea. Multiple small power components in an inverter boost efficiency under partial load.
2006
“Welding Technology of the Year 2006 Award” for the welding processes Cold Metal Transfer and DeltaSpot.
2006
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
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
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
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.
2008
Fronius has been awarded the Frost & Sullivan “2008 Best Practices Award” for its development of the innovative and high-performance Fronius IG Plus PV inverter series as well as for its outstanding service. Fronius USA, LLC launches the IG Plus inverter series in North America.
2010
Launch of the new Fronius CL PV central inverter series available from 33 kW to 60kW options. Combining high-yield power electronics with a unique, modular system design of up to 15 power stages, the CL utilizes MIXTM technology to maximize energy harvest even on cloudy days.
2010
Opening of Sales & Support Center in Chattanooga, TN for our Welding Technology Division. The newest office location strengthens customer support in the SouthEast region.
September 2012
The company moves to its new headquarters in Portage, Indiana. The near 500,000 ft² facility is the future production site of its Solar Electronics Division. The Michigan facility becomes a Sales and Service Center for its Welding Technology Division.
