History - Fronius

Success story: 80 years of innovation

From its roots as a simple one-man operation back in 1945, Fronius has grown to become an integral part of the industrial landscape. Over the past eighty years, we have developed as a family business from a regional specialist repair shop into a player on the global stage. Our story starts with the company’s founder, Günter Fronius, who made a living as a repair and maintenance man. Then came the idea that changed everything: the trained electrical engineer built a device for recharging car batteries, allowing them to be used for longer. And with that, Fronius was born.

Günter Fronius

“You need education, ability, knowledge, and desire; then you can achieve something in life.”

Brigitte Strauß & Klaus Fronius

“If we look at how the company has evolved under the care of the latest generation over the last few years, there is only one thing we can say: We are proud!”

Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß

“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.”

3 generations: Fronius in an era of change

Notice

“I have opened a specialist repair shop for radios and electrical equipment at the ’Rankleiten’ hotel. All repairs are carried out by me personally at any time, both in my workshop or at your premises. I ask my valued customers to turn to me with complete confidence.”

The beginnings

On June 20, 1945, Günter Fronius signed the above notice, thus opening the first chapter in a story of success that has continued to this day, now under the stewardship of the third generation of Günter’s family.

It all began in the Austrian market town of Pettenbach, where our headquarters are still located today. Günter Fronius lives and works here after taking over an old military barracks as payment for some repair work.

At the time, charging car batteries was not a matter of course – a fact that he does not want to accept. The trained electrical engineer therefore develops simple battery chargers using the resources at his disposal. Building on this same technology, he expanded his product range in 1950 to include welding transformers.

Over the following decades, Fronius grows steadily into a respected medium-sized company.

Years of growth

In 1980, Günter Fronius handed control of the company to his children, Brigitte Strauß and Klaus Fronius. The siblings pursue a strategy of growth and internationalization, with numerous subsidiaries being established around the world.

At the beginning of the 1990s, the two CEOs start to place an additional emphasis on the pioneering topic of solar energy. Written off by some at the time as nothing more than dreamland, this sector has since established itself as an important branch of the business.

Today we stand on three solid pillars: Solar Energy, Perfect Welding, and Perfect Charging

Shaping the future

In 2012, the baton was passed to the next generation: Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß. As the granddaughter of the company’s founder, she has continued to set a course for growth and remains true to our commitment to innovation, quality, and service.

This means that we are constantly researching into cutting-edge technologies from which new business ideas can be derived. Our mission, which unites more than 7,000 professionals in more than 30 countries around the world, is clear: to research and control electricity as the fuel of the future.

Put simply, Fronius uses its products to convert solar energy into alternating current, supply battery-powered intralogistics vehicles with new energy, and use electricity from the outlet for revolutionary welding processes.

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. We hold a total of 1,604 patents.

Our milestones

1945

Establishment

Günter Fronius lays the foundation stone

On June 20, 1945, founder Günter Fronius announces that he has established a specialist repair shop for radios and electrical equipment. Fronius is born.

1946

Battery charging technology

The beginnings of Perfect Charging

Günter Fronius starts selling his own design of battery chargers based on 50 Hz technology.

1948

The first shoots of growth

Günter Fronius recruits his very first employee, Andreas Schinker.

1950

Welding technology

The beginnings of Perfect Welding

Fronius produces its first welding transformers.

1951

First apprentice

The training offensive begins

Kurt Pichler is the first apprentice to start his training at Fronius.

1962

Inert gas welding systems

A milestone in welding technology

The FroMIG inert gas welding systems are launched.

1980

Second generation

A new era

Günter Fronius hands over the reins to the next generation: Klaus Fronius and his sister Brigitte Strauß.

1981

Transarc 500

THE milestone in welding technology

With the Transarc 500, Fronius introduces the first primary transistor-based inverter power source, which is a huge success.

1990

Expansion

Establishment of the first subsidiary

Through a joint venture with Fackel, we open our first international subsidiary in Ukraine.

1992

New business area

The beginnings of Solar Energy

Fronius expands its focus and begins researching into the pioneering topic of solar energy as a “green” investment in the future.

1995

Sunrise

The first inverter

Fronius launches its first grid-connected PV inverter, “Sunrise”.

1998

First fully digitally controlled MIG/MAG power source

Welding revolution

Welding technology becomes digital

Fronius produces the world’s first fully digitally controlled MIG/MAG power sources.

2001

Fronius IG

Inverter sets new standards

The Fronius IG is the first inverter to feature a high-frequency transformer. Due to less soldering and more plug connections, it is the first device that made it possible for a technician to independently replace a PC board with the device in-situ.

2005

Cold Metal Transfer

The triumph of “cold” welding

With the Cold Metal Transfer process (CMT), thin materials can be easily welded and aluminum and steel joined for the first time – a unique selling point on the market for many years.

2010

Virtual Welding

Digital training for welding technology

Fronius introduces the welding simulator “Virtual Welding” and thus significantly reduces the resources consumed during welder trainings.

2012

Third generation

A new era

Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß, the granddaughter of the company’s founder, takes up the reins.

2013

Selectiva

New standards in battery charging technology

The Business Unit Perfect Charging unveils the new three-phase Selectiva battery charging systems with the revolutionary Ri charging process.

2015

TPS/i

Welding with robots

The TPS/i welding system platform conquers the robot market.

9.15.2020

2020

GEN24

Versatile inverter for every home

2020: GEN24: versatile inverter for every home

8.11.2022

2022

iWave

High-end welding machine for perfect welds

2022: iWave: high-end welding machine for perfect welds

Employee magazine: Special edition for the 75-year anniversary

With a special edition of our employee magazine POWER, we are taking a journey into the past. We go back to our roots in the Austrian market town of Pettenbach and visit our first subsidiary in Ukraine.

We shed light on the changes in our corporate culture and explain the secrets of our technological advances.And we shine the spotlight on those who contribute so significantly to our success: our employees.

Browse or download the magazine now! We hope you enjoy this special edition.

Browse now

Anniversary issue Fronius Power magazine

The current page does not exist in the target language.

Corporate

Success story: 80 years of innovation

Günter Fronius

Brigitte Strauß & Klaus Fronius

Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß

3 generations: Fronius in an era of change

Notice

The beginnings

Years of growth

Shaping the future

Our milestones

Establishment

Günter Fronius lays the foundation stone

Battery charging technology

The beginnings of Perfect Charging

The first shoots of growth

Welding technology

The beginnings of Perfect Welding

First apprentice

The training offensive begins

Inert gas welding systems

A milestone in welding technology

Second generation

A new era

Transarc 500

THE milestone in welding technology

Expansion

Establishment of the first subsidiary

New business area

The beginnings of Solar Energy

Sunrise

The first inverter

Welding revolution

Welding technology becomes digital

Fronius IG

Inverter sets new standards

Cold Metal Transfer

The triumph of “cold” welding

Virtual Welding

Digital training for welding technology

Third generation

A new era

Selectiva

New standards in battery charging technology

TPS/i

Welding with robots

GEN24

Versatile inverter for every home

iWave

High-end welding machine for perfect welds

Employee magazine: Special edition for the 75-year anniversary