Littelfuse

Littelfuse is a manufacturer of circuit protection products such as fuses, positive temperature coefficient devices, and electrostatic discharge suppressors as well as a variety of electronic switches and automotive sensors. The company's customers include electronics and electrical manufacturers, automakers, and the automotive aftermarket.

History

Littelfuse was founded in 1927 by Edward V. Sundt as Littelfuse Laboratories. Sundt created the company's first product which was the first small, fast-acting protective fuse that regulated current in diagnostic equipment which then prevented the equipment from burning out. In 1938, the company was incorporated and renamed to Littelfuse, Inc. During the 1960s, the company developed sub-miniature fuses for NASA. It was also during this period that the company relocated to Des Plaines, Illinois from Chicago. In 1968, the company was purchased by Tracor and became a wholly owned subsidiary. During the 1970s, Littelfuse opened two new factories: one in Watseka, Illinois and another in Piedras Negras, Mexico. In 1974, the company launched a new product, Littelites, which were electronic indicator lights that can be used in household appliances, office machinery, computers, and even in industrial machinery. In 1976, Littelfuse launched a groundbreaking product for General Motors - the Autofuse® Fast-Acting Fuse which was the first blade-type fuse to be used in automobiles. The company made another revolutionary product in 1986: the space-saving MINI®. In 1987, Tracor and its subsidiary Littelfuse was purchased in leveraged buyout. In 1991, Tracor filed for bankruptcy and split off Littelfuse as a separate business. Within the same year, Littelfuse reincorporated and offered its second IPO. The company grew over the next few years, enabling it to expand its operations into South America, Europe, and Asia. It also opened a distribution and engineering facility in São Paulo, Brazil. Aside from expanding operations, the company also made several acquisitions over the years: Teccor (2003), Heinrich Industrie (2004), Concord Semiconductor, Inc. and Catalina Performance Accessories (2006). In 2008, the company reorganized its manufacturing operations leading it to close down on its 16 small manufacturing plants then opening 6 new, larger facilities. Within the same year, the company relocated its corporate headquarters to Chicago, Illinois. In addition, the company also acquired two more companies: Shock Block Corporation and Startco Engineering Ltd. From 2010 to 2012, the company also purchased Cole Hersee, Selco A/S, Terra Power Systems, and Accel AB. In 2013, Littelfuse acquired Hamlin, Inc. which allowed it to expand its product offerings to include sensors used in the industrial, consumer, and automotive industries.

Photos Courtesy of Littelfuse

Headquarters & Locations

Littelfuse has its headquarters located in Chicago, Illinois. The company also has sales offices and manufacturing facilities in Troy, Michigan; Boston, Massachusetts; Rapid City, South Dakota; Saskatoon, Canada; Calgary, Canada; Piedras Negras, Mexico; Coahuila, Mexico; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Bremen, Germany; Singapore; Philippines; Hong Kong; Taiwan; China; South Korea; Japan; India; Denmark; Lithuania; and Sweden. Littelfuse also has a High Power Test and Research Center in Champaign, Illinois.