Weidmuller celebrates its 50th Birthday
06 October 2009
From humble beginnings in 1959, at the heart of Weidmuller was not only modular terminal blocks and enclosures, but also its people. Founded as Klippon Electricals Ltd, it was based in Sheerness, Kent, where some staff are still employed today, despite the various moves, division sell offs and name change. Why? Because when you work with Weidmuller you become part of the family; and that goes for customers too, who are respected as extended family members. The tales and anecdotes, successes and milestones are celebrated by all.
Says Lindsy Seymour, who has been Customer Services Manager for Weidmuller for the last 10 years: “The most important aspect of the company would be the comments I have received from new starters. During their induction I will always make a point of advising new colleagues that Weidmuller UK is like a big family, and always about 6 months later that new starter will say to me ‘you were right. I have never worked anywhere where everyone is so helpful and approachable’. To me, the culture of Weidmuller UK is amazing.”
The camaraderie and loyalty has contributed to the development of many great products for the company. 1959 saw the introduction of the world renowned SAK series (see home page for picture) and in 1963 we saw the first PCB Mounted Terminal. 10 years later, in 1973, the first Termiswitch was introduced, despite the fact that just a year later most of the country was just recovering from the three day week. Klippon had been fortunate enough to be granted a Permit to work a normal week, but suffered due to the reduced deliveries in raw materials and components.
1983 saw the W series terminal launched and later that decade there were more major events occurring. In 1986 Klippon’s new Process Control company, Klippon Micro Systems Ltd, commenced operations in Sevenoaks, whilst in 1987 the Rt. Hon. Paul Channon, MP, Secretary of State for Trade & Industry officially opened Klippon’s new £1.5m factory extension on the Power Station Road site. That year, Klippon Micro Systems launched the Micro-Kompact measurement and control system, whilst Klippon launched a new range of polycarbonate and ABS enclosures under the name of Piccolo, as well as four new types of terminal accessories for TS35, TS32 and TS15 rail mounting terminals.
In the 1990’s not only did Klippon change its name to Weidmuller, but it moved to its current head office in West Malling. In the ‘noughties’ the new Klippon TB range was introduced with a ‘Top Banana’ theme with monkeys and bananas in a jungle environment. Customers and staff celebrated the on-going success of the TB enclosures with a Casino on board a Thames boat.
Weidmuller has had many achievements over the years, with major project wins for London Underground, Network Rail and Rolling Stock manufacturers. In 2006 the company was awarded the OGDIII contract worth (£750,000) which was the single biggest award the UK had seen. Abu Dhabi Gas Industries had embarked on two major gas development projects estimated to cost over $2 billion, including a new gas plant and associated facilities. Five main packages were released to complete the project and Bechtel London requested tenders for various equipment including junctions boxes, which is one of the strengths of Weidmuller.
But whilst there is clearly a serious, dedicated business with committed staff, there is also a lighter side which is usually hidden behind closed doors……..
Martyn Michniak, Quality Manager and Health & Safety Advisor, who has been with the company since the early 70’s recalls the story of when a TV documentary team ‘invaded’ the company to film the comings and goings of people and products. The culmination to this event was the dramatic departure of the presenter by helicopter. But whilst Klippon staff waved him off, the company pranksters, Caddick and Wildish, took the opportunity to paint the heels of all their colleagues’ shoes white!
The technical skill of the employees is clearly obvious with the advancement of products over the years, but in lighter moments their skills are put to, shall we say, alternative projects. A small team were known to have constructed a complete WW1 bi-plane from cardboard and timber, whilst another built robots to take part in the TV series, Robot Wars.
Klippon was no novice when it came to accommodating the media either, as it had opened its doors to Mr McGarvey of the Sunday Telegraph for two weeks in 1971, after he had spent three weeks working with the Associated Company in West Germany – Messrs C A Weidmuller KG of Detmold. The purpose of his visit was to collect material for articles to compare the working conditions in the UK and in the Common Market in similar industries. His findings and article on Klippon were published in the Sunday Telegraph in December 1971.
Bringing us right up to date, we now celebrate the 50th anniversary of Weidmuller, which is the leading provider of solutions for electrical connectivity, transmission, conditioning and processing of power, signals and data in industrial environments (some of the products are illustrated in the group shot above).
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